Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Superferry hits docked ship
SULIPICIO Lines Inc. filed a marine protest against Cebu Ferries Corp. after its vessel, mv Princess of the South, was bumped by mv Superferry 12 yesterday morning at Berthing Area No. 18.
Despite the incident, Superferry 12 was able to leave for Cagayan de Oro City at past 12 noon after crewmen spent more than two hours untangling the anchors of the two ships.
A small service vessel of the Cebu Pilot Association had to pull Superferry 12 away from the port while the crew untangled from its anchor that of Princess of the South.
Both ships were docked at the port when the incident happened.
Superferry 12 was about to leave port but its anchor got tangled with that of Princess of the South.
Unable to effectively pull out of the port, Superferry 12 instead hit Princess of the South.
Jess Quiño, maritime specialist of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), said that they found damage and dented railings at the forecastle deck of Princess of the South.
An eight inches hole was also observed at the forward portion of the ship, near the forecastle.
But Quiño said that the damage on Princess of the South won’t affect the seaworthiness of the vessel.
Meanwhile, the Marina office in Cagayan de Oro City was ordered to inspect Superferry 12 to determine its damage.
Sulpicio Port Captain Nestor Ponteres said that they are leaving it to Marina to determine the liability of Superferry 12 in the incident.
Quiño said Marina 7 will conduct a hearing on Sulpicio’s marine protest to resolve the case.
Sulpicio Lines is also the owner of mv Princess of the Stars that sank in the seas off Sibuyan island in Romblon last June 21 with more than 800 passengers on board. (EOB)
