Most ships spared due to advance warning

THE advance warning for vessels to seek shelter in safe areas due to typhoon Yolanda greatly reduced the number of accidents at sea, maritime authorities said yesterday.

All vessels in Central Visayas except those whose destinations are to typhoon-struck areas were allowed to sail, days after their trips were canceled to avoid maritime accidents.

Though there were nine vessels that ran aground due to strong winds and waves caused by Yolanda, it wasn’t as catastrophic as experienced during typhoon Ruping’s assault in 1990, the Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas (PCG-7) said.

“Those vessels that ran aground still need to be checked by PCG and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) before they are allowed to sail,” PCG Central Visayas district commander William Melad said.

Some of those vessels include the Super Shuttle 17 in Pier 8 which capsized last Friday. “The owner needs to hire a company that will turn it upright,” Melad said.

In Bonbon, Bohol, MV Rene ran aground. Barges Champ and Roger ran aground in Guindulman town, with one crew member reported missing.

“The assessment didn’t include the vessels in northern Cebu,” Melad said.

Most sea vessels in northern Cebu are small boats from Bantayan Island going to San Remigio. “We have PCG teams in northern Cebu but there are still no cell sites and power so we could not immediately receive updates,” he said.

The Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) received initial reports that Sta. Fe port sustained damage.

CPA Deputy Manager Yusup Uckung said portions of the roof and ceiling in the passenger terminal and catwalks were detached.