MARINA suspends listing passenger ship's safety certificate

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Monday suspended the passenger ship safety certificate (PSSC) of a vessel forced to return to port in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) after it reportedly encountered a listing problem in the waters off Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

The M/V Filipinas CDO was carrying 448 passengers when it departed for Cebu on Sunday evening, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

However, the passenger ship allegedly developed a ten-degree list in the waters off Laguindingan, at around 08:05 p.m. due to inclement weather, forcing it to return to the CDO port. 

It arrived back at port at around 11:20 p.m. with all passengers safe.

“Considering the aforementioned incident has been called into question the subject vessel’s seaworthiness, please be advised that the PSSC of MV Filipinas CDO is hereby suspended in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9295 and its implementing rules and regulations, and Marina Memorandum Circular MS 2023-01&203. Administrative Order No. 13-16 and the ship survey system relative to the suspension of the safety certificate,” MARINA said.

The suspension would remain in effect and may be reinstated after a survey inspection and evaluation of the incident, it added.

Meanwhile, PCG Spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said they would investigate the incident, including the safety procedures and protocols the shipping company and its crew implemented.

Balilo also said the PCG received information the vessel developed a list due to the unstable lashing of the rolling cargo.

GMA News Online had sought comment from the ship's owners, but the shipping company had yet to respond as of posting time. — DVM, GMA Integrated News