Vessel loses power, returns to pier

A PASSENGER vessel bound for Bohol province had to return to the Cebu City port area after experiencing engine trouble, stranding 285 passengers for five hours yesterday.

The Ocean Jet 5 left the Cebu City pier 1 at 6 a.m for Bohol province and had reached Laius Ledge in Talisay City when the ship captain called the Philippine Coast Guard to inform them that they had to return to recharge the battery of their main engine.

Lt. Cdr. Rolando Punzalan, Station Commander of the Philippine Cast Guard Cebu Station, said the vessel returned to pier 1 one hour after it departed.

Some passengers, like Stowe Jim Bito-on, chose to have their tickets refunded

“They did not tell us what was happening, and there was no assurance as to when we can leave again so I decided to get my refund,” said Bito-on who was supposed to attend a church activity in the province.

Another passenger named Sarah Blanco said the captain and the chief mate didn’t bother to make any announcements on their situation.

She said they were only told that they can transfer to another vessel after they waited for two hours.

Blanco said she canceled her Bohol trip after learning that the other vessel, Ocean Jet 6, needed to be refueled first before it can sail. Ocean Jet 6 left Cebu at 11 a.m bound for Bohol.

The Ocean Fast Ferries Inc. management was unavailable for comment.

The Coast Guard called on the ship captain to submit a marine protest to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) regarding the incident. Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla