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Monday, March 10, 2003
Passenger vessel capsizes at Bredco
By Robert L. Bacasong, Christine Mae Pelayo and Avelyn Z. Agudon
SEVENTY-FIVE passengers and 19 crew members of the Iloilo City-bound mv Ciara Joie owned by Aleson Shipping Lines were rescued after the vessel capsized before it could even set sail at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bredco Port, in Reclamation Area, Bacolod City.
A fork lift carrying a 10-footer container van believed to have been filled with bagoong caused the ship to lose its balance.
Due to the heavy weight of the van and with the strong current, the motor vessel slanted on its right, although ship captain Fernando Noblezada, in his 60s, reportedly tried to turn the ship to its left.
The captain also tried to maintain the ship’s balance, but sensing the worsening situation, he and the crew ordered the passengers to abandon the ship at around 1:20 p.m.
At 2 p.m., the ship totally capsized.
Except for 12-year Angenie Depalubos of Iloilo City who was reportedly in shock and was brought to Riverside Medical Center, nt one among the passengers, who are residents of the cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Cadiz, Talisay, Victorias, Silay, La Carlota, Escalante Bago and Cauayan town, among others, were reported injured.
Scampering for safety, most of the passengers left their valuables in the ship, bringing with them only their personal things and those which they could carry.
Noblezada, however, was reportedly injured when he tried to save another crew member, Arturo Magdaluyo, who was on his apprenticeship.
Noblezada was injured in the foot, while Magdaluyo underwent minor foot operation at the RMC.
Personnel of the Bacolod Coast Guard, together with the various rescue groups in the city have helped rescue the victims while Shell Company utilized three inflatable oil spill booms, absorbent booms and the oil dispersant to prevent the spread of oil that could contaminate the water.
The Coast Guard has yet to release its official report on the incident.
Survivors' account
Contrary to the crew’s claim that they ordered the passengers to abandon ship, Rodita Cordova, 50 of San Juan St., Bacolod City said the captain and the crew failed to give the order.
Cordova, who was set to attend the burial of a relative in Iloilo, said they decided on their own to get off the ship when it already started to capsize.
Other survivors lamented the loss of their baggage after the ship tipped over.
Canet Belleza, 50, of Victorias City, who was with her daughter, Fhebelyn, said she left her bag containing important documents such as school diploma and certificates.
Belleza, who with Violeta Fronda, also one of the passengers, expressed fears that an old woman together with a little girl must have drowned.
But Noblezada said he ensured that nobody was left inside the ship.
Lt. Commander Leopoldo Laroya, newly-installed Bacolod Coastguard chief, also said the passengers were safe and before the vessel capsized.
Financial aid
Mayor Luzviminda Valdez said the City Government will extend financial assistance to the victims.
She said they will have to check the ship’s manifesto and only those listed in it can avail of the assistance.
Cheapest rate>/b>
The Aleson Shipping Lines offers the cheapest rate among the passenger vessels bound for Iloilo City.
The ship travels for two hours with a regular fare of P80 per passenger.
Fare in its airconditioned room costs P110.
(March 10, 2003 issue)
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