Initial findings on sunken vessel: ‘Error of judgment’

MANILA, Philippines - Initial findings of the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) showed that an ill-fated ferry that sank recently in the Visayas was caused by an "error of judgment," an official from the investigating panel Wednesday said. In a television interview, BMI member Capt. Demetrio D. Ferrer said the captain of M/V Princess of the Stars — Capt. Florencio Marimon, Sr. — had erred when he proceeded with the voyage from Manila to Cebu despite the stormy weather. BMI reopened its investigation on the incident on Aug. 1 after it terminated its proceedings on July 17, as authorities have demanded the submission of documents and testimonies related to cargoes containing toxic chemicals that went down with the ship, and changes to the vessel’s specifications that may have affected its seaworthiness. Vice-Admiral Wilfredo G. Tamayo, Coast Guard commandant, told BusinessWorld he intends to submit the findings of the board to the Transportation department next week. The 23,800-ton interisland ferry owned by Sulpicio Lines, Inc., with more than 850 crew and passengers on board, capsized on June 21 off the coast of Sibuyan island in Romblon province after being directly hit by the eye of typhoon Frank (international code name: Fensheng). More than 30 have survived, more than 200 bodies have been recovered and more than 500 others have been feared trapped inside the ship, whose hull is still seen above the water. — Bernard U. Allauigan, BusinessWorld