THE Cebu Provincial Board is asking the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) in Region 7 and the Philippine Coast Guard to monitor the seaworthiness of ships in the province.
The request, in a resolution sponsored by PB Member Arleigh Sitoy, followed successive incidents of vessels of Trans Asia Shippine Lines stalling at sea or experiencing problems in less than a week.
The PB requested Marina to “conduct inspection regarding the seaworthiness Cebu’s sea vessels considering that the life of the riding public is at stake.”
Marina had just lifted its suspension order on TransAsia’s entire fleet when a third vessel bound for Iloilo on its first commerical voyage of MV Asia Philippines experienced a “minor technical problem” near the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge forcing the vessel to return to Cebu City’s Pier 4 last Friday.
Before that, Marina had suspended the fleet after two vessels, MV Trans Asia 5 and MV Trans Asia 3, stalled at sea on Sunday evening and Monday dawn respectively.
The ships were bound for Cagayan de Oro and Ozamis City when it stalled off the coast of south Cebu and Shell Island.
In Friday’s incident,Trans-Asia Shipping HR manager Abner Llenos said they prioritized the welfare of the 190 passengers who were bound for Iloilo City.
Cebu Coast Guard Commander Capt. Rolando Punzalan said MV Asia Philippines will not be cleared to sail unless its seaworthiness is certified by Marina. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent