Yul Malicse
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo directed yesterday PCG Western Visayas commander Commodore William Melad to form a Special Board of Marine Inquiry (SBMI) that will conduct a fact-finding investigation on the M/V Cotabato Princess of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. (SLI) that accidentally rammed an ongoing project of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Iloilo City last Sept. 4.
Melad will chair the SBMI, said Tamayo.
"Although there were no casualties or injuries that were reported, an investigation will have to be conducted at the earliest time, as I ordered Commodore Melad to convene the PCG Iloilo SBMI, to secure the testimonies of the ship captain and crew, and those who witnessed the incident at Iloilo pier and PPA project at the time the accident happened," said Tamayo.
The PPA has reportedly sustained some million in actual damage as a result of the accident. The huge Sulpicio Liner reportedly rammed into some 16 piles (posts) of the modernization and expansion of the PPA project at Iloilo pier, when the ship was doing "docking maneuvers" at about 1:30 p.m.
The Coast Guard did not allow the accident-involved ship to leave sail, until inspection is conducted and seaworthiness is attested by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). The ship was supposed to leave midnight last Thursday.
Transportation and Communications Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Maria Elena H. Bautista when interviewed by Manila Bulletin at presstime, said has instructed Marina Safety and Enforcement Offices to inspect and investigate the incident.
The results of Marina’s inspection and investigation will be submitted to the Marina board today, added Bautista.
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