Ship runs aground in Cebu; passengers safe–Coast Guard

CEBU CITY, Philippines–A passenger vessel bound for Palompon, Leyte ran aground off Bogo City, Cebu shortly after it left port at past noon Tuesday, a local Coast Guard official said.

No one was hurt in the incident.

The MV Super Shuttle Ferry 10 was about 20 meters from Pulampato Wharf when its engine supposedly broke down at 12:30 p.m., according to Cebu Coast Guard Station Commander Weniel Azcuna.

Azcuna said the captain of the ferry informed Coast Guard authorities in Bogo by radio that they would just fix the problem before proceeding to their destination.

The vessel dropped anchor in the area but strong waves and wind churned by the southwest monsoon pushed the vessel toward the shallow portion of the port.

Azcuna said all 18 crew members and 63 passengers were safe. The passengers were brought back to safety on motor bancas.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the ferry was still in the shallow area with the crew waiting for the tide to rise.

“The MV Supershuttle Ferry was maneuvering to leave the wharf in Bogo City when it ran aground a shallow portion at around 3:30p.m.,” Cebu Coast Guard chief Commodore William Melad told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview earlier in the day.

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