142 passengers rescued from Ro-Ro vessel in Aklan

142 passengers rescued from Ro-Ro vessel in Aklan
Jennifer P. Rendon 24 Oct 2018 https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/142-passengers-rescued-from-ro-r...

MORE THAN 100 passengers were stranded for several hours off Malay, Aklan after a Ro-Ro vessel suffered engine trouble.

The Philippine Coast Guard – Aklan immediately dispatched personnel after they received a report from M/V Super Shuttle 18 around 11:00 in the morning of Oct. 22, 2018.

Lt. Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, PCG – Aklan commander, said they were informed that the vessel was having trouble with its auxiliary engine.

“The vessel was at the anchorage area near the Caticlan Port. Hindi sila makadikit sa port,” Mercurio added.

After an hour, the crew still failed to berth.

Mercurio then dispatched personnel from PCG-Aklan Station, PCG – Boracay Sub-Station and Special Operations Force (SOF).

The PCG personnel was augmented by PCG’s multi-role response vessel, BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV 4411), Philippine Navy’s Patrol Boat 341, CGSS Boracay personnel, and BRP Boracay (FPB 2401).

At around 2:30 p.m., all 142 passengers – 135 adults, 4 children, and 3 infants – were transferred and ferried to Caticlan Jetty Port.

Initial report revealed that M/V Super Shuttle 18 of Asian Marine Transport Corp left Roxas, Mindoro around 12:30 a.m. of Oct. 22.

Aside from the 142 passengers, the vessel was carrying 7 rolling cargoes.

It arrived to Caticlan Jetty Port around 4:30 to 5:00 a.m. of the same day.

According to the vessel’s Chief Engineer Herminigildo Renon, the vessel encountered total power failure around 5:06 a.m. due to a broken high tensile bolt in auxiliary engine Number 2.

But they were able to trouble shoot and the vessel’s power was restored shortly later.

At 5:29 a.m., as the ship was on standby for docking maneuver, she again experienced total power shutdown due to overheating of generator sets.

The vessel’s auxiliary engine number 2 was totally damaged.

Meanwhile, Mercurio said they advised the vessel’s master, Captain Victor Lumandas, to file a marine protest at the PCG Station.

Subsequently, They were also told to secure a certificate of sea worthiness from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) prior to resumption of trips.

As this developed, M/V Super Shuttle 18 is anchored at Caticlan Anchorage Area awaiting for spares needed in the repairs.