Vessels in Cebu mishap grounded

CEBU CITY—The Maritime Industry Authority in Central Visayas (Marina-7) has grounded the three vessels involved in an accident at the Mactan Channel that left 58 passengers hurt on Saturday.

MV St. Braquiel of 2Go Shipping, SMC Barge No. 8 of San Miguel Corp. and tugboat Matatag of Philmarine Service Corp. (PSC) were no longer allowed to sail pending results of the investigation.

These vessels would not be issued safety certificates until they were cleared, said lawyer Jose Cabatingan, spokesperson of Marina-7.

Cabatingan said Edgardo Binolinao, skipper of PSC Matatag, and Reniero Maurin, captain of St. Braquiel, were placed under preventive suspension.

MV St. Braquiel, carrying 90 passengers, was bound for Pier 4 in Cebu City from Ormoc City, Leyte province past 10 p.m. on Saturday when it hit SMC Barge No. 8, which was being pulled by tugboat Matatag at the Mactan Channel, which separates Cebu from Mactan Island.

The barge was loaded with cases of beer and was heading to Cebu City from Estancia town in Iloilo province.

Dionlett Ampil, commander of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cebu, said his station received the suspension order against the vessels on Sunday night.

He said the barge and the passenger vessel were not fit to sail due to the damage from the accident. —MICHELLE PADAYHAG