Motor tanker, bulk carrier collide off Cavite City —Coast Guard

A motor tanker and a bulk carrier collided off Cavite province on Wednesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday.

The incident between MTr Rich Rainbow and Bulk Carrier Ivy Alliance took place three nautical miles from Cavite City, according to PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo.

Balilo said around 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday, the Coast Guard Station Cavite received a phone call regarding the incident and deployed a response team from the Coast Guard Sub-Station Cavite City.

Rich Rainbow, registered under the flag of Thailand, was loaded with gasoline, while Ivy Alliance, under the flag of Marshall Islands, was loaded with coal, the PCG said.

Based on the assessment, Rich Rainbow incurred a 15 to 20 meters horizontal long hole from her starboard bow to the starboard beam above the waterline.

Ivy Alliance, on the other hand, sustained a 10 to 15 meters horizontal long hole at her forward starboard bow above the waterline.

Balilo said Rich Rainbow was an outbound vessel going to China, while Ivy Alliance was an inbound vessel from Indonesia.

More PCG personnel were deployed to ensure the safety of the crew and to gather further information about the collision.

According to Balilo, there is no oil spill reported and all crew are in good physical condition.

“We will conduct investigation. We will just make sure that all crew are safe and accounted for,” he said.

While waiting for the marine protests that will be filed by the concerned shipping companies, PCG said the Coast Guard Station Cavite is preparing technical experts who will conduct marine casualty investigation.

"As of 08:51 a.m. today, 08 April 2021, the Port State Control (PSC) shall issue notice of detention for both foreign vessels pursuant to the investigation,” the PCG said. — Joviland Rita/KBK/RSJ, GMA News