Almost 17,000 stranded in ports — Coast Guard

Multi-role response vehicle Tubbataha. SCREENGRAB FROM COASTGUARD.GOV.PH

(Updated) Nearly 17,000 passengers were stranded due to tropical depression Urduja, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Sunday.

In its 2:40 p.m. advisory, the PCG reported that 16,996 passengers were stranded, while 1,575 rolling cargoes, 118 vessels, and 34 motor bancas were halted from sailing due to inclement weather.

Ports and bays affected by the advisory were from Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Western Visayas, Southern Tagalog, and Southern Visayas.

PCG advised its units to strictly implement the guidelines regarding the movement of vessels during heavy weather.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier advised fishing boats and other small seacraft to not venture over the affected seaboards. Large vessels, on the other hand, should remain alerted against big waves. /cbb