PCG revokes safety certificate of sea vessels involved in Batangas collision

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended the Ship Safety Certificates of two vessels that collided in the vicinity waters off Batangas City while an investigation of the incident is ongoing.

According to the "24 Oras" report by Dano Tingcungco on Thursday, the objective of the investigation conducted by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the PCG is to identify who is responsible for the crash.

The incident, which occurred at the Matoco Point in Batangas around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, involved the MV Ocean Jet 6 and a Hap and Go water taxi.

The crash led to the death of two individuals from the water taxi service.

“Dalawa po yung nasawi at may dalawang injured na sakay ng water taxi. Maliban doon, lahat ay nasa maayos na kalagayan. Yung water taxi po hinatak na po papunta doon sa Mindoro, samantalang pinag-aaralan po kung magre-request ng suspension yung Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog against doon sa dalawang vessels,” said PCG Spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo.

(Two people died and there are two persons from the water taxi were injured. Aside from that, all of them are in good condition. The water taxi has been towed towards Mindoro, while we are studying if the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog will request for the suspension of the two vessels)

“Ipapatawag po ang crew ng magkabilang sasakyang pandagat na involved at ang unang unang titingnan dito, kung natupad ba yung safety protocols At titingnan din kung yung mga barko ay nasa tamang lugar,” added Balilo.

(We will be calling the crew of both sea vessels involved, and what we’ll check first would be if the safety protocols were followed. And, we will also check if the vessels were in the right place.)

Meanwhile, MARINA will conduct an investigation into the seaworthiness of the two vessels.

“Yung kino-conduct ng MARINA na investigation is safety... Casualty Safety Investigation. Kung ano po ang mga factors na nag-lead po dun sa incident,” said MARINA Spokesperson Ivy Fampo.

(The investigation MARINA will conduct is safety… Casualty Safety Investigation. What the factors were that led to the incident.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News