THE Philippine Coast Guard Cebu station ordered the MV Trans Asia 8 to file a marine protest at the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) after the vessel reportedly ran aground as it left the port of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte Tuesday night.
MV Trans Asia 8 which carried 124 passengers safely arrived at Pier 5 in Cebu City at past 9 a.m. Wednesday.
PCG Cebu station commander Agapito Bibat said he received a text message from an anonymous person about the incident so he ordered his personnel to investigate the report.
Bibat said he willl recommend to Marina to require the vessel to undergo hull inspectionn to ensure its seaworthiness before it is allowed to sail again.
Petty Officer Jonard Abcede of the Philippine Coast Guard Nasipit confirmed that the vessel ran aground briefly when it left the port at 8 p.m. Tuesday night.
Abcede said the incident occured just as the vessel maneuvered out of the port.