The Philippine Navy said on Monday it has found an oil sheen, indicating an oil spill, estimated to be about one nautical mile (1.6 km) in width and four nautical miles (6.4 km) in length at the site in the Zamboanga peninsula where the ill-fated Superferry 9 sank Sunday morning.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, at the same time, reported that one more survivor was rescued by military personnel at around 12:30 p.m., leaving only one person missing from among the passengers of the Superferry 9.

Pama said the latest to be rescued, a woman who was not immediately identified, was spotted by elements of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) 505 rescue squadron who were also in the area to assist in the search and rescue or recovery (SARR) operations.

When asked how many more passengers of the Superferry 9 remained unaccounted for, Pama said, “Mula kahapon, hindi kami nagbibilang. Basta kami, hanap lang nang hanap muna.”

He said it’s the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that collate the figures.

As of press time Monday, the PCG said only one more passenger of the ill-fated Superferry 9 remained unaccounted for.

Meanwhile, Pama said the pilot of a Navy Islander plane spotted the oil-sheen measuring about one nautical mile in width and four nautical miles in length.

Pama, however, emphasized, “Estimate lang yun, a very rough estimate of the pilot.” He said a Navy ship was sent to the area to check the reported oil sheen.

Meanwhile, the government issued on Monday a show-cause order to shipping company Aboitiz Transport System to assess the seaworthiness of Aboitiz ships, following the sinking of its passenger vessel Superferry 9 off the coast of Zamboanga del Norte last Sunday.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Thompson Lantion said DoTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza has ordered the issuance of a show-cause order to Aboitiz for the submission of its audit technical evaluation compliance and international safety procedures.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will be conducting a hearing on the incident at the PCG on Wednesday.

Lantion said the agency will also conduct inspection of the company’s other passenger vessels.

An investigating team to be led by the Board of Marine Inquiry will be convened. The panel will also be composed of the PCG and the DoTC.

Lantion said while a hearing is being conducted by the government, Aboitiz ships will not be allowed to sail.

In an update posted on the SuperFerry website, 119 rescued passengers onboard SuperFerry 1 bound for Iloilo are expected to arrive in Iloilo at 5:30 a.m. today while 63 rescued passengers bound for Manila are estimated to arrive at 12 midnight on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, 58 rescued passengers onboard SuperFerry 5 who disembarked in Bacolod are expected to arrive in Manila at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday along with 122 other rescued passengers.

All other rescued passengers are in Zamboanga.

President Arroyo directed on Monday the Board of Marine Inquiry to look into the cause of the sinking of Super Ferry 9 and mete out the corresponding punishment to negligent parties.

While they are elated over the rescue of most of the passengers, Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the President has also asked maritime authorities to firm up measures to prevent a repeat of the sea tragedy which claimed nine lives. (With reports from John Carlo Cahinhinan and Genalyn Kabiling)