Fleet suspension affects ship firm

The management of SRN Fast Seacraft Inc. yesterday  admitted they are affected by the Maritime Industry Authority’s  (Marina) suspension of their vessels after their Weesam Express 8 ran aground  last Saturday.

SRN marketing manager, Daisy Syppieco said they have to refund advanced bookings mostly from Korean tourists going to Bohol and help the would-be passengers  get a trip with other shipping companies.

Syppieco said all the employees remained in their jobs but were advised to direct customers to other shipping lines since they cannot yet accommodate them due to the suspension order of Marina.

General manager Gerard Genulan said they are still making Weesam Express 8 ready  before they will request for re-inspection and audit.

Genulan said they are also conducting their own investigation of the incident involving the captain of Weesam Express 8, Capt. Kim Roro.

Genulan said they will also wait for the result of the marine inquiry.

He said if Roro will be found liable for the inciden tlast Saturday, they will apply sanctions.

Marina in Central Visayas  already conducted re-inspection and audit of Weesam Express 6, one of the five vessels from SRN Fast Seacraft.

Jojo Cabatingan,  Marina-7 spokesman, said they received a letter of request from the shipping company saying  that Weesam Express 6 is ready to be inspected.

Weesam Express 6 encountered engine problems last Monday night. Its port main engine malfunctioned and 133 passengers were stranded for an hour.

Cabatingan said they are waiting for SRN to submit their letter of request to have Weesam Express 8 inspected.

The boat is already in Cebu City’s Pier 4 along with Weesam Express 6.

Weesam Express 8 ran aground last Saturday night and 208 passengers were stranded for almost five hours.

They were rescued in Lawis Ledge in Talisay City.

Last Tuesday, Marina in Region 6 re-inspected and audited Weesam Express 3 and 5 in Ilo-Ilo City.

Later this week, Marina in Region 9 will inspect Weesam Express 7, which is in Zamboanga City.

Cabatingan said according  their guidelines, if one of the vessels of a shipping company experienced a problem, all the vessels will be suspended for re-inspection and audit.

In the case of SRN, only five vessels  were suspended since they are dry docking Weesam Express 1 and 2, which are both in Zamboanga City.

Cabatingan said two ships in dry dock will also be placed under re-inspection and audit.

Cabatingan said Marina officers assigned  to the job will submit their recommendations to their Manila office.