THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) 7 yesterday suspended the safety certificates of the two vessels that collided at Lauis Ledge off the coast of Talisay City last Thursday night.
Lawyer Daniel Martin Oral, Marina 7’s public information officer, said the captains of mv Fastcat M11 and cargo vesel mv Ocean United, Jerome Davalos and Jose Joel Gulfan, respectively, have been placed under preventive suspension while the investigation on the incident is ongoing.
“They will not be allowed to go on board any other ship and they need to cooperate in the investigation,” Oral said.
The order to suspend the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC) of both vessels came from Marina 7 Director Marc Anthony Pascua.
According to the Coast Guard Station Cebu, mv Ocean United struck mv Fastcat M11 at 8:45 p.m.
Mv Fastcat M11 was carrying 70 passengers and 12 rolling cargoes. It was on its way to Tubigon, Bohol from Cebu City.
Mv Ocean United, which is owned by Oceanic Shipping Lines, had just left the port in Talisay City and was en route to Cebu City.
After the incident, the Coast Guard sent a rescue vessel carrying a medical team to the scene. Its Marine Environment Protection Team also checked for any oil spills, but there were none.
The injured were identified as Daniel Fuentes, 38; Manuel Veloso Jr., 48; Anacleto Dico Jr., 47; and Cary Angelo Bilga, 28.
According to Lt. JG Michael John Encina, the Coast Guard’s spokesperson in the region, the four are in stable condition.
Oral said they conducted initial investigation yesterday, but they need to look further to determine what caused the collision to prevent a similar incident from happening.
He said the investigating team will also check if the vessels need to be drydocked for repairs.
The vessels will not be allowed to travel while their safety certificates are suspended. (SCG, HBL, REV)