Above is the MV Super Shuttle Ferry 3 of Asian Marine Transport Corp. which was carried away by strong waves after the rope mooring it to the Sta. Fe port snapped. It ran aground in Hilantagaan islet of Bantayan Island.
(SOURCE: TRAVEL BLOG)
A PROVINCIAL environment officer is calling for the removal of the vessel which ran aground in Hilantagaan Island at the marine sanctuary of Sta. Fe town in northern Cebu at the height of typhoon Marce more than a week ago.
Romel Kirit, senior environment specialist of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro), said in an interview yesterday that they needed the removal of MV Super Shuttle Ferry 3 of Asian Marine Transport Corp. because they had to complete the assessment of the damage of the corals caused by the grounding of the vessel.
Kirit said they could not start the rehabilitation of the damaged corals unless they completed the assessment of the area where the vessel ran aground.
The MV Super Shuttle Ferry 3 manned by Captain Nick A. Aromin ran aground at the shores of Hilantagaan Island at 4 a.m. when typhoon Marce made landfall in the northern part of Cebu on Nov. 25, 2016.
The vessel was seeking shelter and repairs at the Sta. Fe wharf when big waves brought about by typhoon Marce caused the line securing the vessel to snap and to drift to Hilantagaan Island where it ran aground.
Kirit already coordinated with BFAR-7, Cebu Coast Guard, LGUs and the owner of the ferry with regards to the amount and monetary cost of the damage.
Initial inspection, Kirit said showed the loss of marine species especially of various coral reef species in the island.
“Naa nay assessment but still in the process,” said Kirit.
The assessment would determine the difference of the previous year’s data and present situation of the area. The assessment would also include the monetary budget that would come from the shipping line.
He said that paint removal and checking if an oil spill occurred in the marine sanctuary would be prioritized.
“Lisod siya, very unlikely nga nabalik siya sa iyang original state,” Kirit said./ USJ-R Intern Vanisa P. Soriano
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