Vessels in Cebu sea collision grounded

CEBU CITY – The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the safety certificates of three sea vessels involved in a collision that injured 58 passengers in the Mactan Channel over the weekend.

Marina will not allow the fast craft M/V St. Baraquiel of SuperCat Fastferry Corporation, the barge owned by SMC Shipping and Lighterage Corporation, and tugboat Matatag of Philmarines Corporation from sailing pending an investigation.

The Baraquiel was heading to Cebu City from Ormoc City with 90 passengers when it hit the barge that was being towed by Matatag barely 10 minutes before reaching Pier 4.

The collision left 58 passengers injured and 23 of them, including the ship captain, were taken to the Cebu Doctor's Hospital, Chong Hua Hospital, and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in this city.

In a statement released Monday, Nagiel Bañacia of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the hospitalized passengers and Captain Reniero Maurin suffered cuts and fractures after they were thrown from their seats by the impact of the collision.

The ferry and barge were severely damaged, the Cebu Coast Guard said.

It was found that the barge was cruising at 2.8 knots, which is below the speed limit. The barge, which was carrying empty beer bottles, was travelling from Estancia, Iloilo to the SMC wharf in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City.

Marina Western Visayas office spokesman Jose Cabatingan said the captains of the three vessels have been suspended pending the result of the investigation.