Coast Guard: Vessels to secure anchorage

Remember Ruping. This was the message of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to all shipowners, vessel and boat masters as they told them to make sure that their vessels are anchored securely by the time supertyphoon Yolanda unleashes its full force on Friday.

A total of 88 vessels sank when the eye of supertyphoon Ruping passed through Central Visayas in November 1990. Most of the vessels were anchored in Cebu ports and were cut loose from their moorings. One ship got out of control and rammed into the Mactan-Cebu bridge.

Commodore William Melad, commander of the PCG Central Visayas District, said that ship captains already know where to anchor their vessels.

“They know where to anchor properly but the problem is if there are strong waves and then the anchorage area is also limited and congested, then that is a problem,” he added.

At the Mactan Cebu International Airport, emergency response plans have been activated so the facility can function in the immediate aftermath of the supertyphoon onslaught.

He said that although the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) designated anchorage areas, these are still not safe if the supertyphoon will directly pass over these areas. The ideal action is for the vessels to get as far away as possible from the typhoon’s path.

Melad said the suspension of sailing of vessels will be declared after Pag-asa will raise storm signals in different areas.

The Coast Guard is also preparing its disaster response teams in case of emergencies.

AIRPORT ready

Meanwhile, the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has emergency plans ready.

“Our technical departments are ready to restore airport operations. We have standby power generator in case of power interruption,” said information officer Mary An Dimayabao,

A meeting will be held today with the Mactan Airline Operator Council to find out plans of the different airlines. MCIA will release a public advisory today, Dimayabao said./BenCyrus G. Ellorin and Michelle Joy L. Padayhag