Six fast craft refuse to sail due to strong waves

CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least 212 passengers were stranded at the Cebu ports after some fast craft decided not to sail due to the strong waves.

The Cebu Coast Guard station said these passengers were bound for Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Ormoc City in Leyte, Bantayan Island in Cebu and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental.

As of 6 p.m. on Thursday night, Coast Guard said six fast craft did not push through with their scheduled trip.

These included the three trips of OceanJet 88 for Tagbilaran City at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; MV St Braquel for Tagbilaran City at  noon; MV Aznar II from Toledo City to San Carlos City Negros Occidental at 11:30 a.m.; MV City of Bacolod from Toledo City to Bacolod at  noon;  MV St Judiel from Cebu City to Ormoc City at 5 p.m.; and MV Super Shuttle 24 from Hagnaya port in San Remegio to Sta. Fe on Bantayan Island at 4:20 p.m.

The weather bureau based on Mactan Island in Cebu, issued a gale warning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, advising the public about the rough seas.

Jhomer Eclarino, weather specialist of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)-Mactan, said tropical depression “Egay” has enhanced the southwest monsoon or habagat, causing strong waves especially in the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Fishing boats  and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out to the sea while larger vessels are alerted against big waves.

Eclarino said Cebu and Bohol areas could experience moderate to rough seas because of habagat.