Two shipping firms in Cavite sea collision get suspended
AIE BALAGTAS SEE, GMANews.TV
12/25/2009 | 03:45 PM
(Updated 2 - 6:44 PM) Two shipping outfits involved in a Cavite sea mishap on Christmas Eve were ordered suspended by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
"President Arroyo ordered the suspension of operations of two ferry or shipping outfits pending an investigation," Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said, adding necessary assistance would be provided to the victims and their families.
Catalyn B, a wooden motorized banca that carried 15 crew members and 59 passengers, collided with fishing vessel Anatalia four nautical miles off Limbones Island in Cavite at 2:20 a.m. of December 24, authorities said.
The collision left three people dead while 24 are still missing.
Catalyn B’s suspension already took effect on Thursday, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Elena Bautista told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.
Marina, which regulates Philippine shipping companies, was only able to suspend Catalyn B because the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has the authority over Anatalia, a 369-gross ton fishing vessel, Bautista clarified.
“Ito lang sinuspend namin kasi walang franchise ang fishing boats. (They have a permit to fish from BFAR, ([Catalyn B] was the only vessel suspended because fishing boats don’t have a franchise. [Anatalia] has a permit to fish from the BFAR,)" Bautista said.
San Nicolas, Catalyn B’s owner, has secured two franchises from Marina, allowing it to run and operate two vessels.
Anatalia’s owner, PhilMariner Aquaventures Corp., has 11 vessels registered with the BFAR.
GMANews.TV tried to contact BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento but he could not be reached.
Search and rescue operations for the missing victims continue, Phil. Coast Guard Lt. Commodore Armand Balilo said.
In the meantime, Bello said that necessary assistance would be extended to the victims and their families. - RJAB, Jr./GMANews.TV
"President Arroyo ordered the suspension of operations of two ferry or shipping outfits pending an investigation," Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said, adding necessary assistance would be provided to the victims and their families.
Catalyn B, a wooden motorized banca that carried 15 crew members and 59 passengers, collided with fishing vessel Anatalia four nautical miles off Limbones Island in Cavite at 2:20 a.m. of December 24, authorities said.
The collision left three people dead while 24 are still missing.
Catalyn B’s suspension already took effect on Thursday, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Elena Bautista told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.
Marina, which regulates Philippine shipping companies, was only able to suspend Catalyn B because the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has the authority over Anatalia, a 369-gross ton fishing vessel, Bautista clarified.
“Ito lang sinuspend namin kasi walang franchise ang fishing boats. (They have a permit to fish from BFAR, ([Catalyn B] was the only vessel suspended because fishing boats don’t have a franchise. [Anatalia] has a permit to fish from the BFAR,)" Bautista said.
San Nicolas, Catalyn B’s owner, has secured two franchises from Marina, allowing it to run and operate two vessels.
Anatalia’s owner, PhilMariner Aquaventures Corp., has 11 vessels registered with the BFAR.
GMANews.TV tried to contact BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento but he could not be reached.
Search and rescue operations for the missing victims continue, Phil. Coast Guard Lt. Commodore Armand Balilo said.
In the meantime, Bello said that necessary assistance would be extended to the victims and their families. - RJAB, Jr./GMANews.TV
