Saturday, January 20, 2007 Mactan channel shut for fluvial parade
THE Cebu Coast Guard (CG) is bracing for security challenges in today’s fluvial procession, where more than 100 vessels are expected to join the annual tribute to the Señor Sto. Niño.
As of yesterday afternoon, only 66 participating watercraft had registered at the Cebu CG station, but authorities expect unregistered motorboats to join, as they always do each year.
“We cannot prevent them from joining but we will put them at the tail end because we have divided the fluvial parade into three divisions,” said Cebu CG Chief Manolito Malig-on.
Motorbancas weighing less than three gross tons will compose the first division, while watercraft with more than three gross tons and conventional vessels, such as commercial ferries and yachts, will occupy the second and third divisions, respectively.
The separation of vessels according to their tonnage is part of the CG’s measures to prevent accidents during the two-hour event.
The procession will start at the Ouano wharf in Mandaue City and end at Pier 1 in Cebu City.
A private yacht of the Ouano clan will carry the icons of the Señor Sto. Niño and Cebu’s patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
CG and Navy patrol vessels will serve as escorts, while rubber boats, carrying rescue and medical teams, will maintain order during the procession.
The north and south harbor of the Mactan Channel will be closed to outgoing and incoming vessels for two hours, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., to give way to the floating armada. (GC)
