Grounded barge in Pangasinan caused by bad weather, PCG says

Grounded barge in Pangasinan caused by bad weather, PCG says
December 30, 2021 https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/12/30/2150940/grounded-barge-pangas...

MANILA, Philippines — The barge that ran aground in Pangasinan came from a tugboat sailing under the flag of Singapore, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday.

To recall, the POE 86 Kuching was unmanned and had no cargo on board when it figured in the accident at a coral reef sanctuary some 1.5 nautical miles from the shores of Silaqui Island.

According to the latest update from the Philippine Coast Guard's Sub-Station in Bolinao, the origin of the POE 86 Kuching barge was tugboat Crystal Procyon.

"While traversing the vicinity waters off Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, the Crystal Procyon encountered strong winds and big waves, cutting the towing line of POE 86 Kuching," the PCG said in its latest update.

The Coast Guard said that due to bad weather, the tugboat's crew decided to abandon the barge and took shelter at the vicinity waters off Sta. Cruz, Zambales until the weather stabilized.

On Tuesday, the Crystal Procyon proceeded to the vicinity waters off Bolinao to coordinate with the LGU and discuss the extent of damage at the grounding site.

Earlier, the PCG said there were no traces of oil spill at the site of the accident.

Per a report by the Philippine News Agency, the damage has yet to be determined by divers from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.