Bad weather hampers ferry-salvage operations in Romblon
08/30/2008 | 04:13 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Operations to retrieve dangerous chemicals aboard the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars, which sank more than two months ago, have been delayed due to bad weather, an official from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Friday said.
Vice-Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo, PCG commandant, said that while most of the salvage equipment has already arrived in Manila, a ship that would have transported more equipment did not arrive Friday due to bad weather and rough seas.
M/V Princess of the Stars capsized off the coast of Sibuyan island in Romblon province after being battered by giant waves and fierce winds brought about by typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen).
When the ship went down, it was carrying 10,000 kilograms (kg) of the toxic pesticide endosulfan, 392 kg of Antracol WP70, 501 kg of Fuerza GR3, 17.5 kg of Trap 70WP and 150 liters of Tamaron 600SL and 250,000 liters of special fuel oil.
Mr. Tamayo earlier said they had given the salvage firms -foreign firm Titan Salvage and its local partner Harbour Star which were contracted by shipowner Sulpicio Lines, Inc. - up to Friday to finish positioning the all the equipment needed to retrieve the chemicals and fuel.
"Most of the equipment is still in Manila and the salvor requested us to give them another 10 days to finish installing the equipment in Romblon," he told BusinessWorld in a phone interview.
The ship was carrying more than 850 passengers and crew members when it sank. Only around 30 people survived what is considered the worst sea tragedy to hit the country in two decades. More than 200 have been confirmed dead, while the rest, including ship Capt. Florencio M. Marimon, Sr., remained missing and are believed to be trapped inside the upturned ship. — Bernard U. Allauigan, BusinessWorld
Vice-Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo, PCG commandant, said that while most of the salvage equipment has already arrived in Manila, a ship that would have transported more equipment did not arrive Friday due to bad weather and rough seas.
M/V Princess of the Stars capsized off the coast of Sibuyan island in Romblon province after being battered by giant waves and fierce winds brought about by typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen).
When the ship went down, it was carrying 10,000 kilograms (kg) of the toxic pesticide endosulfan, 392 kg of Antracol WP70, 501 kg of Fuerza GR3, 17.5 kg of Trap 70WP and 150 liters of Tamaron 600SL and 250,000 liters of special fuel oil.
Mr. Tamayo earlier said they had given the salvage firms -foreign firm Titan Salvage and its local partner Harbour Star which were contracted by shipowner Sulpicio Lines, Inc. - up to Friday to finish positioning the all the equipment needed to retrieve the chemicals and fuel.
"Most of the equipment is still in Manila and the salvor requested us to give them another 10 days to finish installing the equipment in Romblon," he told BusinessWorld in a phone interview.
The ship was carrying more than 850 passengers and crew members when it sank. Only around 30 people survived what is considered the worst sea tragedy to hit the country in two decades. More than 200 have been confirmed dead, while the rest, including ship Capt. Florencio M. Marimon, Sr., remained missing and are believed to be trapped inside the upturned ship. — Bernard U. Allauigan, BusinessWorld
