Marina confirms overloading of ill-fated vessel

ORMOC CITY, Leyte – The vessel that capsized in Ormoc Bay last July 2 was overloaded. This was determined by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) after 142 survivors were rescued and the final casualty count has reached 58, bringing the total number of passengers to 200. That number of people on board the ill-fated M/B Kim Nirvana does not include the boat’s 19 crew members and officers.

The casualty count included a body that was found off the coast of neighboring Merida town on the night of July 3. Twenty-six of the casualties were male and 31 female. The gender of one body retrieved was undetermined as it was not indicated in the post-mortem report.

The actual number of passengers differs with the 173 declared in the boat’s manifest. The boat was also found to be loaded with 150 bags of cement weighing six tons, contrary to the 80 bags declared in the cargo manifest. “There was misrepresentation on the part of the captain,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Commander Pedro B. Tinampay said.

Asked why the overloading escaped the attention of inspectors, he replied that only those seated are included in the headcount. Tinampay revealed the names of the two PCG personnel relieved from their stations - ASN Fidel Blanco and SN2 Jonas Sabado were part of the boarding team.

Charges have been filed against the boat’s 18 crew members, as well as its captain, Warren Oliverio. The decision to file the heavier charge of multiple murder instead of homicide was based on affidavits of witnesses. Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director CSupt. Asher Dolina said the manner by which the operator handled the vessel was unusual.

Investigation revealed that the operator turned the boat sharply as it left the port. The charge sheet insinuates that the trip was sabotaged with an intention to kill someone, especially since boat owner, Joge Bung Zarco was onboard. Farfetched though the speculation might be, Dolina said it will be up to the prosecutor to examine all aspects of the case.

Tinampay also belied the thought that the Coast Guard allowed the boat to sail in bad weather, saying there was no gale warning and the waves were normal at three to four feet only. He also disproved allegations that he acted slowly on recommendations to knock a hole on the hull of the overturned boat. It was recommended on the night of July 2 and the hole was made at 9 p.m., he said.

Meanwhile, the survivors’ trip back home to Pilar, Camotes Island did not push through Saturday, July 4. They were supposed to leave at 2:30 p.m. on board a Coast Guard boat with a capacity of 300 to 500 passengers. This was canceled because of the strong waves brought by the southwest monsoon.

The Ormoc city government served as guarantor for the hospital and mortuary bills to allow survivors and cadavers to be discharged even without payment. Public Safety Committee Chair, Councilor Pedro Godiardo Ebcas said the city government will also conduct a parallel probe on the tragedy.