DOTC grounds Island Express vessels after ship fire

Published August 22, 2011 1:34pm

Following the fire aboard a vessel that killed three people Sunday, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) grounded five other vessels of the ill-fated ship's owner Monday. DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II instructed the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to ground all vessels of Island Express Shipping following the incident. â€œAt this point, public safety is our primordial concern. I will not allow shipping companies to take chances with the lives of the passengers. DOTC will ensure that whenever a passenger steps on a ship, he can be certain that ship will have passed all the stringent requirements for safety," Roxas said in a news release posted on the government portal. He said the order aims to ensure that all vessels operated by Island Express Shipping are seaworthy. The DOTC said Island Express Shipping has six vessels, including one fast craft and five roll-on-roll-off (RORO) vessels plying the Hagnaya-Sta. Fe and Cebu-Tubigon routes. On Sunday, three people were killed in a fire that razed the MV Island Fast Craft 1 about 4.5 nautical miles near Cebu City. The DOTC identified the three as:

Matea Infiesto, 62, passengers

Nicetas Cabrera, 73, both of Lagsing, Bacani, Clarin, Bohol

Chief mate Abelardo Torrevillas Sr., 57 Meanwhile, Roxas ordered the Philippine Coast Guard to convene a Board of Marine Inquiry and investigate the owners and operators of Island Express. He also ordered the MARINA and PCG to ensure that the owners provide the survivors and the family of the casualties the assistance they need. Initial reports indicated the MV Island Express was on its way to Cebu from Tubigon, Bohol at about noon at 4.5 nautical miles southeast of Lawis ledge Cebu City when the vessel caught fire. Investigation showed the fire started at the engine room. "Of 75 persons in the manifest, 72 were rescued and three were confirmed dead. The survivors were brought to Tubigon hospital for treatment," the DOTC said. Meanwhile, Roxas ordered the PCG to continue monitoring the situation for other damage and possible oil spill. â€œOur job is to protect the safety of the public not to balance contending interests. The shipping companies have officers, lawyers, accountants and others; they can take care of themselves. Our job is to protect the interest of the public whom we serve," he said. - KBK, GMA News

Tags: maritimeaccidents, dotc