Wharf owner wants sunken vessel salvaged

The owner of the Cabahug Wharf in Mandaue City asked the Coast Guard-Cebu station to remove the diesel discharged by the MV Maria Angelica Grace after the vessel capsized a week ago near their area.

Coast Guard-Cebu Station Commander Winiel Azcuna said other vessels who used to dock in the wharf were told to anchor on another side due to the presence of the sunken vessel. “The wharf’s operations are affected,” Azcuna said.

Among the complainants were Hector Wong, owner of Mandaue Shipping Lighterage Inc. who asked the Coast Guard to immediately resolve this problem.

Azcuna said he forwarded Wong’s letter to the vessel owner Salvador Rapal.  He said Rapal can also be obligated to pay damages to the owner of Cabahug wharf.

Azcuna said Rapal told him that they were delayed in hiring a salvor due to problems in their negotiations with the insurance company, Development Bank of the Philippines Insurance.  Hiring a salvor would cost millions of pesos, he said. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos