A FASTCRAFT loaded with 132 passengers and 12 crew members was towed by a tugboat after it went “dead on the water” for about two hours due to engine trouble seven nautical miles away from the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) port in the city Wednesday afternoon, April 10.

Commander Ludovico Librilla Jr., head of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)- Negros Occidental, said the crew of MV St. Emmanuel (Supercat) 2Go called for assistance from a personnel of a tugboat stationed at the Bredco port before they notified the PCG.

Since the tugboat was on its way to rescue the passengers and to tow the vessel, Librilla said they just monitored the situation because it will even cause more delay if the passengers and the crew will wait for them to respond.

After two hours of being stuck at the middle of the sea, the vessel safely arrived at Bredco port at 4 p.m. with all the passengers and crew members.

Librilla said the oil from the hydraulic tank steering of the vessel spilled which caused its tank to malfunction.

Librilla said they are already investigating the incident.

“We all know that nobody wanted it to happen. What’s important is that everyone‘s safe,” he added.

He also said that they have coordinated with the management of 2Go to discuss more details about what happened.