A PASSENGER vessel carrying 283 passengers and 18 crew was stalled at sea for an hour while sailing from San Francisco in Camotes Island to Danao City last Friday.
MV Mika Mari VI of Jomalia Shipping Corp. developed engine trouble around seven nautical miles from the port of Danao City, said Chief Petty Officer Faustino Pepito Jr., commander of the Danao City Coast Guard substation.
The vessel, which was also carrying 15 rolling cargoes, left Consuelo port in San Francisco past 6 a.m. and was scheduled to reach Danao City at 8 a.m.
Officers and crew headed by captain Tomas Hilario later discovered the cause to be diluted fuel.
Pepito said the crew drained the contaminated fuel, cleaned the engine then used their reserve fuel. The vessel was able to resume sailing at 9 a.m. and docked at the Danao City port at 9:45 a.m.