Light ships grounded at Manila Port due to storm signal over Metro

MANILA, Philippines—With Metro Manila remaining under Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Storm Bebeng (international name: Aere), the Philippine Coast Guard will ground all ships weighing less than 1,000 tons and prohibit them from going to sea.

“Ships with less than 1,000 gross tonnage are automatically barred from sailing in areas under Signal No. 1 under our maritime traffic rules,” Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente, PCG spokesman, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview.

Ricafrente said no passenger ship has so far departed the Manila North and South Harbors since storm Signal No. 1 was raised over Manila on Sunday, although there were some cargo ships weighing more than 1,000 tons that did.

The Coast Guard official said sea travelers scheduled to leave Monday morning should keep in touch with their shipping lines to see if their trips would be allowed to push through.

Queries may also be directed to the PCG through its hotlines (02) 527-3877 or (02) 527-8481 and PCG hot text 0917-PCGDOTC or 0917-724-3682.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration first placed Metro Manila under Signal No. 1 at 5 p.m. Sunday. The signal was retained over the metropolis in the agency’s 11 p.m. bulletin.