Ship bound for Bantayan island stalls in open sea

THE passenger vessel MV Super Shuttle Ferry 14 bound for Bantayan Island stalled at sea 30 minutes after it left Hagnaya Port of San Remegio town yesterday afternoon.

According to Argao town councilor Rey Gealon, who was on board the ship, the vessel lost power midway in their voyage.

Passengers, he said started to panic. Some were crying and many were already wearing life jackets.

Galeon admitted that he himself was worried as he was with his wife and three children aged 5,3 and 1 for a short vacation in a resort in Sta. Fe.

“Nagtuya-tuya na pag-ayo ang barko unya naa ra ba mi sa open sea, so pwerteng hadluka sa mga pasahero”, Gealon said.

(The boat was just riding the waves in the open sea, naturally the passengers were all afraid.)

He added the passengers were irked because the crew did not inform them on what’s happening or gave them assurances.

This went on for about 30 minutes, until the engine fired up again, as a sister vessel MV Super Shuttle Ferry 23 also arrived to help.

The vessel continued its voyage but at a much lower speed, and with MV Super Shuttle Ferry 23 tailing it.

Gealon said the people at the port in Sta. Fe had to pull the vessel using a rope because its stalled engine prevented it from performing its docking maneuver.

Philippine Coast Guard Cebu Station chief Commander Wendiel Azcuna said Shuttle Ferry 14 was able to dock at Sta Fe port at 7:11 pm.

“The engine had over-heated,” Azcuna said.

Azcuna said the vessel had 75 passengers and 15 crew headed by Capt. Jerome Villajuan. Villajuan will be required to submit a marine protest and the vessel will be subjected to seaworthiness inspection before it will be given clearance to sail again.