A FEW DAYS after a Trans-Asia vessel was grounded for delayed arrival partly caused by an engine malfunction in the high seas, another Trans-Asia vessel was grounded after it also experienced engine trouble on its way to Cebu City from Iloilo City last Tuesday evening.
Cebu Coast Guard Station Commander Agapito Bibat said MV Trans-Asia 2 must secure a certificate of seaworthiness from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) after last Tuesday’s incident. The vessel had to return to the port of origin because of engine problem.
Last Monday, MV Trans Asia 9 also experienced engine trouble in the vicinity of Panglao Island, Bohol while sailing from Cagayan de Oro City to Cebu City, causing an eight-hour delay in its arrival.
Bibat said Marina suspended Trans Asia 9’s safety certificate. As of yesterday, the shipping company has yet to show to the Coast Guard a certificate showing that the suspension has been lifted.
MV Trans-Asia 2 was already in the vicinity of Siete Pecados Island of Dumangas, Iloilo City, or around 10 nautical miles from the port of Iloilo City, when one of its two engines malfunctioned at around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. The Coast Guard was informed of the situation and the ship was ordered to turn back to Iloilo port for the passengers’ safety especially since the vessel was traveling at night.
The, ship which has 559 passengers and 49 officers and crew, left port at 6 p.m. It arrived at 10:30 p.m. at the Iloilo port.