Island Express owner says suspension will ‘ruin’ his business

All vessels of Island Express Shipping were ordered grounded yesterday following Sunday’s sinking of one of its ferries off the coast of Talisay City, Cebu.

Th order came in a statement from Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas in Manila.

The ferry’s  chief mate and two female passengers died in the sea mishap, which took place during stormy weather after a fire broke out in the engine room of the Cebu-bound ship, which had left Bohol province.

Secretary Roxas ordered  the company’s entire fleet to stop operation until all vessels are inspected for seaworthiness.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was told to convene the Board of Marine Inquiry to investigate the mishap, and determine whether the shipping company or its crew was at fault.

The shipping line was ordered to monitor any oil spill and to assist families of casualties and survivors.

Alex Tan, owner of Island Express Shipping, lamented that the suspension  would make it difficult for the company to recover from the expected heavy loss of revenue.

“There’s already an (economic) crisis and there are fewer passengers. It would ruin our business,” Tan said in Cebuano.

“If we stop our operations, it would affect Bantayan since we carry most of their cargo,” he added, referring to the three municipalities in far north Cebu in Bantayan Island.

Island Express Shipping has one fast craft and five roll-on-roll-off vessels plying between Cebu and Bohol provinces, serving  Hagnaya-Sta. Fe and Cebu-Tubigon routes.

The ships make eight round trips from Hagnaya in San Remegio town to Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island and seven Cebu-Tubigon round trips daily.  The five roro vessels are the main sea transportation of passengers and cargo  between Hagnaya port and Bantayan Island.

Tan said that they did not stop the fleet’s operation yet since no suspension order was handed by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

As of 5:30 p.m. yesterday, a copy of the DOTC order had not  yet reached the Marina in Cebu.

“We have not yet received the suspension order. It might come tomorrow,” said Marian spokesman Jojo Cabatingan.

Cabatingan said once the order is received, the Marina would  start its audit of the Island Express 1.

Tan  said the flames that broke out on MV Island Express 1 were “not due to an electrical defect.”

“All our vessels are very seaworthy,” he said, “and have a sufficient number of life jackets and fire extinguishers on board.”

Tan said the management would give P200,000 financial assistance to the family of each casualty.

The shipping line also promised to provide medical and financial assistance and  free trip tickets to the rescued victims.

All the rescued survivors and the three casualties were brought to Tubigon Community Hospital in Bohol province Sunday afternoon.

Anne Cortes, the hospital’s supervising nurse, said two patients, Elishamer Caballen and two-month-old  infant Renamea Tugap, were admitted.

Caballen had a slight fever while the infant was under observation.  Other passengers who complained of dizziness are having their blood pressure monitored.

A missing person from the ill-fated Island Express 1 was rescued by a motor banca in Talisay City, said PCG Commander Rolando Punzalan.  The passenger’s identity is still being verified.

The officers of the Island Express 1 submitted their marine protest, a standard post-mishap report, yesterday afternoon.

The Coast Guard is still checking for any oil spill in the sunken vessel. /Candeze R. Mongaya, Reporter