PCG airs warning vs ships

Avoid this fate. In this file photo, the MV Baleno 168 lies on its side after sustaining damage to its propeller while about to dock at the port of Calapan City in late January this year. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Vic Deguzman

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday advised those going away for Holy Week not to take “fly-by-night” or “colorum” interisland shipping vessels.

The PCG also assured the public it had beefed up security at all ports with the expected influx of sea travelers.

“Those fly-by-night interisland shipping vessels do not have any insurance for their passengers and most of them have defective life rafts and life vests,” said PCG commandant Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena.

“These colorum vessels usually appear during this season because this is an opportunity for them to make money since the major shipping lines have a hard time accommodating the huge volume of passengers,” he said.

But he assured the public that the PCG was closely monitoring these vessels.

As of press time, many shipping lines reported being fully booked, according to the PCG.

The Coast Guard Action Center (CGAC) hotline 0917-PCG-DOTC will be open 24/7, especially during Holy Week to respond to questions and emergency calls. Tina G. Santos