Vessel tilts, runs aground at Mandaue pier

A ROLL-ON, roll-off (roro) cargo vessel ran aground at Pier 8 in the Mandaue Reclamation Area while it was loading cargo at 11:30 p.m last Thursday.

Coast Guard-Cebu station commander Weniel Azcuna said the M/V Super Shuttle 8 tilted to its right after its hull “touched bottom” due to the low tide.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, Azcuna said the vessel’s owner immediately sent another vessel to help lighten the load and enable the Super Shuttle 8 to float if a high tide occurred.

The ship’s captain Renato Sato ordered his crew to stop loading and disembark.

All 45 officers and crew members were accounted for. Most of the cargo were vehicles. Azcuna said they advised the ship’s captain Renato Sato to file a marine protest on the incident.

He also required an underwater inspection of the vessel before they would allow the vessel to sail again.

The vessel was scheduled to leave for Davao last Thursday evening.

“We will also look for the ship Captain’s negligence and will recommend to the wharf owner to possibly dredge the pier area,” Azcuna said.

The vessel is owned by Asian Marine Transpport Corp. Capt. Sato said the boat will be refloated at 11:00 p.m. and will still be anchored at the pier at a distance for an inspection. Correspondents Joy Cherry Quito and Norman V. Mendoza