A CAGAYAN de Oro City-bound passenger vessel of Trans-Asia Shipping was suspended by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) after it failed to depart on Tuesday night from the port of Cebu City due to the defective cooling system of its main engine.
Marina information officer Jose Cabatingan said they served the notice of suspension of the passenger ship safety certificate of MV Trans-Asia 10 at 10 am Wednesday.
Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu station commander Agapito Bibat said MV Trans-Asia 10 which carried 932 passengers and 63 crew headed by ship captain Normal Robles, was supposed to depart at 8 pm on Tuesday from Pier 4 of Cebu City to Cagayan de Oro City.
However, the vessel could not continue its trip since the fresh water cooling system of its main engine sustained low pressure.
Some passengers opted to disembark and get refund but many passengers stayed with the hope that the problem would be fixed but it was not.
Bibat said the remaining passengers disembarked on Wednesday morning.
Cabatingan said Trans Asia 10 management must fix the problem.