SuperFerry 9 death toll now 5; 63 still missing

The death toll from the sinking of the SuperFerry 9 off Zamboanga Peninsula rose to five while 63 other people remained missing as of Sunday afternoon, the Coast Guard said. In a report dated 3 p.m., the Coast Guard said the two latest fatalities were retrieved by fishing vessel (FB) Charito that was joining search operation. “So ang casualties sa atin, lima. Pinaghahanap natin 63 pa, kasama crew and passenger (So the death toll went up to five. We are still looking for 63 more)," Coast Guard spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said in an interview on dzRH radio. The ill-fated ship's captain, Jose Yap, was among the survivors who were rescued. 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 earlier reported that it had recovered three fatalities - two aboard SuperFerry 9’s sister ship MV Myriad, and one aboard Philippine Navy vessel 171. It said 268 survivors were rescued aboard the MV Ocean Integrity; 439 aboard MV Myriad; 170 aboard Philippine Navy vessels; and 23 aboard fishing boat Sierra. “All the survivors and casualties have been brought to Zamboanga City where Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao and ATSC management along with other concerned agencies and volunteers will formally account and render medical and other necessary forms of assistance to survivors and families of the victims," the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard report said SuperFerry 9 listed to approximately 35 degrees towards her starboard side until she reportedly sank at vicinity 9.5 nautical miles west of Banga Point in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. It said the vessel was recorded to have been carrying 847 passengers, four sea marshals, and 117 crew. The vessel is authorized to carry up to 1,120 passengers and crew. “Unconfirmed reports received reveal that the generator set of the ill-fated vessel went on and off," the Coast Guard said in its report. 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 Aboitiz Transport System Corp. (ATSC). SuperFerry 9 went on its final voyage from Makar Wharf, General Santos City towards Iloilo at 8:45 a.m. Saturday. - GMANews.TV