Chances of retrieving SuperFerry 9 slim - PCG

The chances of retrieving the sunken SuperFerry 9 from the Zamboanga Peninsula area are dim, as the vessel is lying 800 fathoms deep on the seabed, the Philippine Coast Guard admitted Tuesday. But Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said in a radio interview that they are still conducting consultations with experts on what can be done with the ill-fated ship. “Napakalalim ng kinalalagyan ng barko. Ang recorded depth nito is more than 800 fathoms or about 5,000 feet. Base sa ating statistics, medyo wala pa tayong nakitang salvage operations done on this particular depth of water. Pero patuloy ang ating consultation with the experts as to what can be done on the vessel," Tamayo said in an interview on dwIZ radio. (You know, the ship sank about 5,000 feet. Our statistics show that no salvage operations have been done at this depth. But we are still consulting with experts as to what can be done.) Nine people died while more than 900 were rescued after SuperFerry 9 tilted and sank off the Zamboanga Peninsula area last September 6. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the Maritime Industry Authority to investigate the matter, even as the Coast Guard had started its inquiry into the tragedy. When SuperFerry 9 sank last September 6, the Coast Guard had sent a ship with oil-spill response capabilities to address any possible oil spill. “Since she is traveling from General Santos City to Iloilo, there’s still some considerable amount of fuel on board. We have already sent out ships led by BRP Corregidor to undertake monitoring and oil spill response operations as necessary," Tamayo said in an interview on dzBB radio at the time. On the other hand, Tamayo said salvage operations are still ongoing for Sulpicio Lines' MV Princess of the Stars, which capsized at the height of Typhoon Frank on June 21, 2008. The salvage operations on the ship began in August last year. Tamayo said that operations were stalled because of the discovery the ship was carrying endosulfan, a toxic substance. It was further delayed because of bad weather, he added. “Pero tuluy-tuloy naman ang gawain. Ang balak nila palutangin, pagaanin at palutangin para dalhin sa baybayin para pwede i-upright at dalhin sa area na may kasunduan sa local government para ma-scrap into smaller pieces (But our salvage work on it is continuing. The plan is to raise it and bring it to a nearby shore area where we can cut it up into smaller pieces)," he said. Any human remains found in the wreckage will be brought to the National Bureau of Investigation for possible identification. IMO condolences Meanwhile, a ranking official of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) extended his condolences to the victims of last week’s SuperFerry 9 tragedy off Zamboanga Peninsula. IMO Secretary General Efthimios Mitropoulos conveyed the condolences to new Philippine Permanent Representative to IMO Antonio Lagdameo, who presented his letter of credence to him. “Noting the sinking of Superferry 9 last weekend, Secretary General Mitropoulos conveyed to Ambassador Lagdameo his condolence to the victims of the accident. Ambassador Lagdameo expressed his appreciation for the words of sympathy extended by the Secretary General," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in an article posted Monday night on its Web site.- GMANews.TV