Manila Bay 1, docked at Pier 7 of the Mandaue Reclamation Area, caught fire yesterday afternoon after an electrical short circuit at the engine room. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)
While waiting for a Coast Guard clearance to depart from the Port of Cebu, as supertyphoon Lawin exited the country, a cargo vessel set to leave for Manila caught fire at past 2:00 p.m. yesterday in Pier 7 of the Mandaue Reclamation Area.
Manila Bay 1, a cargo ship weighing 15,000 tons owned by Carlos Gothong Lines Inc., caught fire following an electrical short circuit at the engine room.
The vessel, which was acquired from Japan several years ago, is one of two cargo vessels owned by Gothong Lines plying Cebu, Manila and Davao.
Lawyer Francisco Mejares Jr., head of the shipping company’s legal department, said that all 23 crew members who were alerted by ship Captain Victor Bayotas tried to put out the blaze and called for a tug boat to help pump seawater into the burning area.
A crew member who had difficulty breathing after the incident was brought to a hospital by a waiting ambulance.
Mandaue City fire investigator Jude Nacua said that the fire alarm was received at 2:08 p.m.
The blaze was immediately put under control at 2:16 p.m. after around ten fire trucks from different fire stations and volunteer groups responded to the call.
Fire investigators and the shipping company had yet to assess the total amount of damage caused by the fire.
Gothong Lines is also set to file a marine protest before the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) for an inspection to be conducted before a sea worthiness certificate could be issued.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) temporarily grounded the cargo ship from sailing pending the seaworthiness certificate from Marina.