Marina lifts suspension order of Super Island Express 2 vessel

THE MV Super Island Express II can again ply the  Cebu-Tubigon, Bohol route after the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) lifted the suspension order on the five ships  of Island Express Corp.

Jojo Cabatingan, Marina spokesman, said  the suspension order for the Super Island Express II was  lifted last Friday and the operation of the cargo passenger vessels  resumed  last week.

“After the favorable recommendation by the Marina with the Central office based on the inspection and the auditing, the suspension was lifted,” Cabatingan said.

Super Island Express II, which serves the Cebu-Tubigon, Bohol route was docked at the pier after inspectors noted minor deficiencies in their inspection of the vessel last Aug. 24.

It was one of  five vessels of Island Express Inc. that were grounded after the  MV Island Express Fastcraft 1, which carried 65 passengers, caught fire and sank off the coast of barangay Tangke, Talisay City, Cebu. Three people died in the accident.

Marina first cleared Island Express 3 and LTC Express 1 last Aug. 24 followed by the LTC Island 2 and MV Island Roro 1 last Aug. 27.

All four vessels sail and ply the route to Bantayan Island, northern Cebu.

Cabatingan said that Island Express Corp. rectified the minor deficiencies noted by Marina in their previous investigation.

He said that they are also set to schedule the show cause hearing with the Island Express within the month. /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya