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9 dead, 926 rescued as ferry sinks off Zambo Peninsula


SuperFerry 9, which was carrying 847 passengers and 113 crew members, tilted for several hours before sinking off Zamboanga Peninsula. JV Francisco
Nine people died while hundreds were rescued when a passenger ship sank Sunday morning after tilting for several hours in Siocon Bay near the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Philippine Coast Guard said. In its 9 p.m. report, the Coast Guard said 926 people were rescued from the incident. Search and rescue operations, meanwhile, continue for the 33 who are still missing as of posting time. Only two of the nine fatalities have so far been identified: two-year-old James Patrick Galero and Fernando Estrada, 45. The Coast Guard said 265 survivors were rescued aboard the MV Ocean Integrity, 446 aboard MV Myriad, 170 aboard Philippine Navy vessels, 26 aboard fishing boat Sierra, and 19 aboard fishing boat Julius.
SUPERFERRY 9: NO STRANGER TO DANGER


The fate of SuperFerry 9, owned by Aboitiz Transport System, is not entirely a surprise. The vessel, which sank off Zamboanga Sunday morning had already encountered several mishaps in the past. Last May, SuperFerry 9 was stranded off the coast of Camiguin province for more than 12 hours due to engine problems. (See: SuperFerry ship with 900 passengers stranded off Camiguin) In February 2007, the ship conked out southwest of Daog Point on Negros Island while on its journey from Bacolod City to Iligan City in Mindanao. Engine problems were also blamed for the interruption. It needed another ship to haul the ill-fated SuperFerry 9 to shore. (See: SuperFerry stalls near Negros) More...
Ongoing rescue ops Aside from Navy ships, three military aircrafts were also deployed to scour the seas, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who also heads the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). American troops providing counter-terrorism training to Philippine soldiers in Mindanao likewise deployed a civilian helicopter and five boats, some carrying paramedics, to help, US Col. William Coultrup said. In a news conference earlier in the day, Coast Guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said initial investigation showed that the ship left General Santos City at 8:45 a.m. Saturday and was heading for Iloilo when it began having problems with its generator. [See earlier story: Ship tilts off Zamboanga Peninsula] Citing initial reports, Tamayo said SuperFerry 9's generator fluctuated several times. Authorities said they would investigate the cause of the sinking as soon as search and rescue operations are over. According to the ship's owner, Aboitiz Transport System Corp. (ATSC), assistance including medical treatment, hotel accommodation and transport will be provided for the ship's passengers and crew. SuperFerry 1 was scheduled to arrive in Zamboanga City Sunday night to transfer passengers to Iloilo and Manila. No dangerous cargo The Coast Guard said SuperFerry 9 was carrying 200,000 liters of industrial fuel oil, 80,000 liters automotive diesel oil, and 10,000 liters lube oil when it departed from Manila for Iloilo and General Santos City. “(But) no dangerous or hazardous cargo was declared to be onboard MV SuperFerry 9," it said. The Coast Guard said it would recommend the immediate convening of the Special Board of Marine Inquiry that will investigate the circumstances surrounding this marine casualty. The Coast Guard said SuperFerry 9, a 7,268-ton ship, was built in 1986 by Usuki Iron Works Ltd. in Japan, and was converted in 1995 in Cebu City. Its former owner was William Lines Inc., before it was operated by ATSC. SuperFerry 9 went on its final voyage from Makar Wharf in General Santos City toward Iloilo at 8:45 a.m. last Saturday. At 4:40 a.m. Sunday, the ship’s captain, Jose Yap, declared abandon ship. The Coast Guard said it received word from the National Disaster Coordinating Council that the ship was incapacitated. At 5:20 a.m., SuperFerry 9’s sister ship MV Myriad, arrived at the vicinity of the incident, and were one of the vessels who were able to render initial assistance. By 6:20 a.m., half of the passengers were disembarked from the SuperFerry 9 and boarded several life rafts. - GMANews.TV with AP
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