Trips of a Lite Shipping Company vessel plying the Tagbilaran City-Cebu City route have been suspended after the ship accidentally rammed a concrete pavement of the Tagbilaran port on Thursday afternoon, injuring nine passengers.
According to Philippines Ports Authority (PPA) manager Engr. James Gantalao, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) directed the shipping firm to secure a certificate of sea-worthiness from the Maritime Industry Authority for the Lite Ferry 12.
The vessel remained docked at the Tagbilaran port pending the request for certification.
Gantalao said that the accident which was caused by an engine malfunction of the vessel left an estimated pier structural damage of around P50,000.
However, the port official noted that the minor damage to the port has not hampered regular operations at the facility.
“Di man ni siya maka-apekto sa pag-dunggo sa atong mga barko kay minimal man ni siya na damage. Structurally stable man ang atong pantalan,” said Gantalao.
Authorities are still deciding whether Lite Shipping will pay through the PPA or the shipping firm itself will supervise the repairs.
Based on the PCG’s incident report, the vessel’s port main engine transmission gear malfunctioned as it maneuvered for docking causing it to hit the side pavement of the port.
Nine of 63 passengers including a pregnant woman suffered minor injuries during the incident. Some were given first aid treatment at the pier while others were brought to a hospital with the shipping company shouldering medical expenses. (AD)