Small sea vessels, including motorbancas, in the Province of Bohol are advised from venturing out to sea due to rough seas.

Coast Guard Station Western Bohol, in a Sea Travel Advisory, has suspended all  fishing and  small watercraft with 15 gross tonnage (GT) and below within its area of responsibility (AOR) from venturing out to sea to avert any maritime mishap.

“Mariners of small sea crafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels,” Coast Guard Station Western Bohol Commander LtJG Romulo Balonga, Jr. said.

“This station is temporarily suspending all voyages of fishing and other small watercraft with 15GT and below sailing within our area of responsibility effective 11 a.m., 12 September 2024 until further notice,” he added. 

The public, coastal communities, and fisherfolk are further advised to refrain from engaging in any sea or seawater-related activities to prevent any untoward incident. 

The advisory was issued at 11 a.m. on September 12, 2024, following a PAGASA weather update that Tropical Storm Bebinca has intensified into a severe tropical storm at about noontime on September 12, 2023.