Coast Guard: Hearing on Sarangani collision starts Nov. 25

Published November 21, 2011 10:00am

Maritime authorities will start investigating this week the collision between a fishing vessel and a SuperFerry passenger vessel that killed at least one person off Sarangani on Friday last week. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the first hearing is scheduled at the Maritime Industry Authority office in Manila this Friday. It hinted that some deck officers of the SuperFerry ship â€” those on safekeeping duty at the time of the accident â€” may face charges. The PCG said the Seafarerâ€™s Identification Record Book (SIRB) and Qualification Document Certificates (QDC) of the Superferry 20 crewmembers who were on safekeeping duties at the time of the collision were temporarily lifted until the ship reaches Manila. SuperFerry 20 collided with the fishing banca "San Jose Bayanihan" at 1:00 a.m. last Friday, off Siguil in Tinoto in, Maasim, Sarangani. Those on safekeeping duties at the time of the incident included deck officers Captain Candido Rasonabe, Chief Officer Benjamin Damuag, 2nd officer Galileo Valendez, Auxiliary 2nd Officer Efren Tomo, Able Seaman Francis Neil Pagota and Apprentice Mate Jaime Dela Cruz. "(Upon arrival in Manila), the deck officers shall continue to be suspended until after they have effectively undergone rigid trainings on Collision Regulation (COLREG) and Standards of Training Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention Regulation 11/1.4. Appropriate charges shall also be filed against them," the Coast Guard said. The initial investigation showed MV Superferry 20, skippered by Captain Candido Rasonabe, had 542 passengers onboard at the time of the incident. SuperFerry 20 departed Makar Wharf at around 11:45 p.m. last Thursday and was supposedly enroute to Manila via Zamboanga City. The fishing banca "San Jose Bayanihan," on the other hand, came from General Santos City and was navigating towards Balot Island. Killed in the collision was Giovanni Buntong, 60. The boat skippered by Captain Jonito Mendoza was totally wrecked and eventually sank. The six rescued crew members were identified as:

Jonito Mendoza, 52

Rex Bulawin, 28

Marjus Iramis, 20

Joseph Tiones, 20

Regalado Sender, 19

Bryan Inero, 17. Suspension lifted on 8 of 9 vessels Meanwhile, the PCG said the suspension order on eight of nine passenger-cargo ships following Friday's incident has been lifted, including SuperFerry 20. "The lifting of the voyage suspension order for the eight ships was recommended since the ships only had minor deficiencies and were found to be in sea-worthy condition after they undergoing additional ISM Audits by the Audit team," it said. Aside from the SuperFerry 20, the Coast Guard said the Maritime Industry Authority also lifted the voyage suspension order on:

MV Superferry 1

MV Superferry 2

MV Superferry 5

MV Superferry 12

MV Superferry 21

MV Cebu Ferry 1

MV Cebu Ferry 2. However, a ninth vessel, Cebu Ferry 3, was granted a special permit to navigate from the port of Jagna, Bohol to the port of Cagayan De Oro (CDO) City to undergo further inspection. The issued permit is in effect for a single voyage from November 19 to 21, unless sooner revoked or cancelled for a cause. On the other hand, the Coast Guard said the nine ships' owner-operator, Negros Navigation-Aboitiz Transport System Corporation (NN-ATSC), was ordered to strictly observe the existing terms and conditions of MARINA and the PCG stipulated in the Certificate of Public Convenience in domestic shipping. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: philippinecoastguard, sarangani