Vessels reminded to follow precession rules
Participating vessels in this Sunday’s fluvial procession will be asked to pull out if they stay closer than 15 yards to the “galleon” carrying the image of the Sto. Niño, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) warned yesterday.
This, as close to 200 vessels have already registered to join the Sinulog fluvial procession this Sunday.
Lt. Bernabe Jay Zambale, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Naval Forces Central public affairs officer, said that as of 2 p.m. yesterday, 183 vessels have already been given the green light to join in the activity, which would happen before the Sinulog grand parade.
The number is slightly lower than last year’s 190, but Zambale said the figure was expected to balloon, with the registration deadline set at 5 p.m. yesterday.
To ensure seaworthiness and safety of the people who would be on board, the registrants were asked to submit Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)issued certificates such as passenger or cargoship safety certificate, recreational boat certificate, safe manning certificate, and valid ID of the boat captain.
Motorbancas were also required to submit SSEN certificates.
Zambale said only Marina-registered vessels, yachts, boats, ships, and motorbancas are allowed to sail and join the procession. The vessels would be given tarpaulins to indicate that they have registered.
Sea vessel mv Martin 8 of Maayo Shipping will be the galleon carrying the miraculous image of the Sto. Niño.
Zambale said the ship will be sailing at a standard speed of 7 to 9 knots, and participating vessels should maintain a 15-yard distance from the galleon.
ENS Rose Abigail Enario of PCG said sea marshals would be deployed to reprimand violating vessels, which would be radioed and instructed to pull out from the procession.
“For the public naman…we ask for your cooperation for this fluvial procession, and the participating vessels to follow the guidelines, the safety guidelines, so that we will have a smooth and accident-free fluvial procession 2024,” Enario likewise said.
Zambale also said that using pyrotechnics and drones during the event is prohibited, as he asked that that everyone cooperate for the safety and security of the event.
For monitoring and implementing the rules for peace and safety throughout the procession, the PCG is deploying over 3,000 of its personnel.
Additional personnel will be coming from its sub-task groups, like the Philippine Navy, Regional Maritime Unit7, Cebu Port Authority, and Marina-7.
Zambale said the Philippine Navy would likewise deploy five vessels for the event, as well as its the Navy Seals’ Special Warfare Group (SWAG) as a Quick Reaction Team.
He said the Philippine Navy will be in-charge of security of the Sto. Niño “galleon” and the overall security of the event.
The PCG and Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño conducted a dry run of the fluvial procession yesterday in preparation for the event.-