BOAT RUNS AGROUND BEFORE REACHING CEBU
M/v South Pacific left the pier of Bato, Leyte at past 9 p.m. last Monday and was expected to arrive in Cebu at 4 a.m. yesterday; no one was reported injured
A boat leaving from Leyte to Cebu ran aground in Danajon Bank at dawn yesterday.
All 67 passengers of m/v South Pacific are safe after they were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 7.
Authorities will check if the boat is safe enough to be allowed to sail again.
M/v South Pacific left the pier of Bato, Leyte at past 9 p.m. last Monday. It was expected to arrive in Cebu at 4 a.m. yesterday.
LTJG Michael John Encina said the boat ran aground at 1 a.m.
The Coast Guard sent a medical team to the boat to check on the passengers. PCG and the Marine Environmental Protection Personnel (Mepu) also sent divers to check if there was an oil spill.
The passengers were transferred at 8 a.m. to MRRV 4404 vessel of the PCG, which ferried them to Aduana Wharf in Cebu City’s Pier 1.
They arrived in Cebu City at 10:30 a.m.
Before the rescue, the Coast Guard sent a medical team to the boat to check on the passengers. PCG and the Marine Environmental Protection Personnel also sent divers to check if there was an oil spill. The results were negative.
Encina said Marina will assess the seaworthiness of m/v South Pacific.
The PCG also fed the passengers upon arrival in Cebu City.
A sister ship of m/v South Pacific will tow the boat to safety. /