Shipping firms urged to deploy additional vessels

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar ordered the shipping firms to facilitate additional trips to and from Zamboanga City to prevent overloading especially during the holiday season rush.

Salazar initiated the close watch on all vessels in the city’s port following an incident Sunday afternoon, December 18, involving a passenger-cargo vessel, which has denied departure clearance by the Coastguard due to loading of passengers beyond its capacity.

The passenger-cargo vessel plies the Zamboanga-Basilan route via Isabela City and vice-versa.

With this development, Salazar has tasked the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and ship owners to ensure that all vessels comply with laws concerning passenger capacity and maritime safety.

“We call on Marina and ship owners plying the neighboring islands to ensure compliance of laws on passenger capacity of vessels to prevent sea mishaps,” she said.

She said the local government will not tolerate overloading of passenger vessel.

She also called on passengers to cooperate with authorities, and to exercise caution and prudent judgment when travelling back home for the holidays.