Thursday, January 15, 2009 Ferries await Coast Guard travel advisory By Jerson O. Coronica
INTER-ISLAND ferries traversing the Guimaras Strait for Bacolod-Iloilo-Bacolod trips have yet to receive an official sailing advisory from the Philippine Coast Guard.
This came after the Provincial Disaster Management Program (PDMP) released weather condition updates and precautionary measures amid the lingering bad weather condition affecting the province for days now.
The management of Weesam Express, one of the inter-island ferries that cross the Guimaras Strait which separates Negros and Panay islands, said it is just waiting for an order from the Coast Guard on the possible temporary cancellation of scheduled trips.
PDMP said it is not advisable for small ferries to cruise the vast ocean of the Visayas and Mindanao since a northeast monsoon continues to bring strong winds that could make the ocean turbulent.
PDMP added that as of January 12, reports showed that at least 3.7 to 4.5 meters high of waves had been recorded in several areas affected by the tail-end of a cold front that could capsize smaller ferries and boats.
Although Pagasa reported that no typhoon has been spotted, PDMP still warns of possible strong winds and turbulent seas.
So far, no cancellation of trips of passenger and cargo vessels has been released. However, only vessels that have a gross tonnage of 300 to 500 tons are allowed to operate. Fishing, especially at night, was also discouraged.
Weesam said they will continue their regular trips to Iloilo and back as long as the Coast Guard allows them to sail. Ocean Jet would likely observe the same.
Big cargo and passenger ships are also advised to coordinate with Pagasa.
Last year, hundreds of lives were lost due to sea tragedies caused by typhoons, the worst of these was the sinking of Sulpicio Lines' M/V Princess of the Stars off the coast of Masbate after being struck by big waves and strong winds brought by Typhoon Frank late June 2008.
PDMP said they will continue to monitor the weather over Negros Island. With the continuous strong winds, seafarers are advised to be extra cautious.
