A fast craft collided with a cargo vessel while sailing near the first Mactan-Cebu Bridge in Mactan Channel on Sunday afternoon, May 21. | Screenshot from Naveen Isnardo Bharwani’s Facebook video
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Regulators suspended the operation of the two vessels involved in a sea collision in Mactan Channel last Sunday, May 21.
The Maritime Industry Authority in Central Visayas (Marina-7) on Monday, May 22, announced they have suspended the safety certificates of Supercat’s M/V St. Jhudiel and LCT Poseidon 23 as investigations on the accident continue.
Suspension of safety certificates
The suspension took effect last Sunday, said Engineer Jesus Quiño, supervising maritime industry development specialist of Marina -7.
“Suspendido sa ang safety certificate sa duha ka barko while nagpahigayon og investigation,” said Quiño.
(The safety certificate of the two vessels will be suspended while an investigation is being conducted.)
It would only be lifted once investigations would be completed, he added.
Marina-7 probe
Marina-7 has also started its own investigation on Sunday’s collision. They will conduct a deeper probe on initial findings that the loss of steering wheel control in MV St. Jhudiel may have led to the collision.
“Magconduct pa mi og additional investigation kung ngano nahitabo nga nagkasteering casualty sila,” said Marina -7 Shipping Operations Specialist Jerick Andrei Orais.
(We will still conduct an additional investigation on why this happened that they had a steering casualty.)
Steering casualty is the term used to describe when the steering controls of a ship malfunction, Orais said.
Marina-7’s investigation will also include a review of whether the crew complied with certain pre-departure protocols and checks, such as ensuring all of the vessel’s equipment is functioning.
“Kanang mga barko, naa nay checklist to check (ang condition sa mga) critical equipment prior voyage. Atong tan-awon kung na conduct pa ang checklist prior departure,” explained Orais.
(Boats have a checklist to check (the condition of ) critical equipment prior to voyage. We will see if they conducted the checklist prior to departure.)
The investigation might take at least a week, Marina-7 officials said. Results will then be forwarded to their central office, which will be making recommendations and actions.
Should authorities find any lapses, the concerned party might face penalties and sanctions, said Quiño.
On the other hand, Quiño confirmed that the captain of LCT Poseidon 23, the cargo vessel, had already submitted its marine protest.
“Naghuwat na lang mi sa Supercat para sa ilahang Marine protest,” he added.
(We are just waiting for Supercat for their Marine protest.)
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