Passengers safe as fastcraft runs aground in Bohol

A fastcraft carrying 289 passengers ran aground off the coast of Tubigon, Bohol, on Friday. 

According to a report on "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday, M/V FastCat M20, which came from Cebu, also carried 35 rolling cargoes.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that there were no signs of an oil spill in the area. 

Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC), the operator of FastCat, apologized to all the passengers who were inconvenienced by the incident.

In a statement, the company said the vessel sailed from Pier 3 in Cebu City bound for Tubigon, passing through the usual route. 

"At around 5 a.m. and approximately 4.8 nautical miles from Tubigon Port, the ship touched bottom due to extreme low tide," it said. 

"At FastCat, the safety of our passengers and crew is our main priority; therefore, the Captain opted not to further maneuver the ship while waiting for [a] higher tide to sail safely and dock to its original destination."

According to the APFC, all passengers and rolling cargoes disembarked safely in the early afternoon.

APFC said the management was in full cooperation with the PCG, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, and other agencies as they conducted their investigation. —Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News