Five Weesam vessels suspended by Marina

The Maritime Industry Authority in Central Visayas (Marina-7) yesterday suspended five vessels of Weesam Express after one of its vessels ran aground off the coast of Lawis Ledge, Talisay City, at past 10 p.m. last Saturday.

Engineer Mardem Martin of Marina-7 said they also started the audit and investigation of Weesam Express 8, the vessel that got stranded off Talisay City’s coast that is now docked at Cebu City’s Pier 4.

The vessels that were ordered suspended were Weesam 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8. MV Weesam 6 had to be rescued after one of its engines conked out at sea at 6:20 p.m. yesterday.

MV Weesam 6 bound for Cebu City sent a distress call to the Coast Guard station in Tagbilaran City, Bohol province, after its engine conked out last night, officials said.

The call was relayed to the Cebu Coast Guard station in Cebu City, which  immediately sent patrol boats to the fast craft vessel.

Cebu Coast Guard commander Rolando Punzalan said  MV Weesam ran on one engine and had to be rescued.

Rubber boats were sent to the area to escorted Weesam 6 to pier 4 in Cebu City.

The ship arrived safely with her escorts at 7:15 p.m. Coast Guard officials were in a closed-door meeting at the time.

Meanwhile, Martin said they would verify reports that Weesam Express 8’s engine and propeller were damaged after the vessel hit stones near the shoreline.

The ship’s captain Kim Caroror said poor visibility and the presence of fishing boats ahead of the vessel were some of the factors that caused the vessel to run aground off Lawis Ledge in Talisay City.

“Our investigation will start from the marine protest submitted by the management,” Martin said.

All 208 passengers on board were rescued at sea.

The MV Weesam Express 8 owned by SRN Fast Sea Craft was scheduled to arrive at 6:15 p.m. in Pier 4, Cebu City, after departing from Tagbilaran City port in Bohol at 3:28 p.m. last Saturday.

He said they would investigate a complaint by the Cebu Coast Guard that ship captain Kim Caroro of Weesam Express 8 called their office nearly three hours after the incident.

Martin said it is the captain’s call to decide on their response to an emergency, but added that the welfare of the passengers should be prioritized.

Caroro, 42, of  Zamboanga Sibugay, submitted a marine protest to the Coast Guard.