21 hurt in Cebu docking mishap

MV Selphiel hit the docking area of the Pier 1, Cebu City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/CDN

CEBU CITY — A t least 21 persons were hurt on Tuesday morning when a fast craft of 2Go Travel hit the docking area at Pier 1 in Cebu City.
Cebu Coast Guard Commander Rodolfo Villajuan said St. Sealthiel had a “defective steering system” when the vessel was trying to dock at the its designated berthing space at Pier 1 about 8:30 a.m.
The vessel suffered dents in the right and left portions of the vessel’s bow.
St. Sealthiel, which had 119 passengers on board, left the Tagbilaran City port at 6:30 a.m. and was set to arrive in Cebu two hours later.
Alan Gabales, a checker of Cokaliong Shipping Lines, said he noticed that the fast craft turned off its engine a few meters before it could dock in its berthing space.
He turned his back to continue his work when he heard a loud thud.
The vessel hit the portion of the port, which is designated berthing space for the roll on-roll off vessel of Cokaliong Shipping Lines and is about 50 meters from the berthing space of the fast craft.
A porter, who asked not to be named, also noticed that the fast craft stopped few meters from its berthing space.
“It must have some mechanical problem because the engine stopped. The vessel suddenly rammed into the berthing space of Cokaliong,” the porter said.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chair of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council who helped in the rescue operation, said passengers suffered abrasions, contusions and scratches in the face and other parts of the body.
Porters claimed they saw some passengers with blood on their faces, noses and lips while being rushed to waiting ambulances.
Tumulak said passengers, who stood up to get ready to disembark while the vessel was docking, were the ones who got hurt.
These passengers, he added, were thrown down due to the impact.
Villajuan said vessel skipper, Florito Teves, was required to submit a marine protest before the Maritime Industry Authority (Marine) within 24 hours from the accident.
As a matter of procedure, the vessel should not be allowed to continue its usual trips until it has been inspected by Marina and repairs have been made to ensure its seaworthiness.