MANILA, July 13 (PNA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Tuesday that 622 passengers were stranded due to storm Basyang.

Lieutenant Commander Arman Balilo, PCG spokesman, said that as of 1 p.m. Tuesday, there were 622 passengers stranded as strong winds and rains hit some areas in Luzon.

In Bicol, the PCG reported that there were 341 passengers who were barred from leaving the seaports.

The report from other PCG field offices revealed that there were 181 passengers in Lucena and 50 passengers in Puerto Real, both located in Quezon province; and 50 passengers in Batangas.

The PCG also reported that there were 10 vessels that are still docked in Tabaco and Victory towns in Albay.

Balilo said sea travelers were told not to sail in the areas of Bicol, Batangas, and Quezon province.

Guidelines on the Movement of Vessels During Heavy Weather states that in provinces placed under public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 1 only vessels 1,000 gross tons and below are restricted while under PSWS no. 2, all types of vessels are prohibited from sailing.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, warned ship captains who would violate these regulations risk losing their licenses. The shipping company, according to Tamayo, would lose their franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

Tamayo has already ordered four of their districts, namely the Northern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, and the National Capital Region (NCR) to be on heightened alert.

Response groups composed of divers and medical personnel are also on stand by. (PNA)