Retrieval of Roro vessel starts; no oil spill found

THE salvage operation of a RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) vessel that tilted on its side in the port of Barangay Consuelo, San Francisco, Camotes Island started on Sunday morning, Sept. 1, 2019.

At 6 a.m., personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 7 in Camotes and PCG 7-Marine Environment Protection Unit inspected the seawaters off the port for possible traces of oil spill. They placed an oil spill boom near the boat, mv Mika Mari 8 of Jomalia Shipping Corp.

PCG 7 divers swam underneath the ship and they found no leaks.

Jomalia reportedly plans to siphon 3,200 liters of diesel oil from the ship to prevent an oil spill.

Last Saturday afternoon, Aug. 31, the boat titlted on its side while it was unloading cargo and passengers.

Four of 149 passengers were hurt at the time and they were rushed to a hospital. The ship’s 18 crew members were unharmed.

Still inside mv Mika Mari 8 are four rolling cargo.

Jomalia is required to submit a maritime protest to the Maritime Authority Industry 7, which is expected to conduct an investigation and find out if the ship followed the safety protocol. (FROM HBL OF SUPERBALITA CEBU / KAL)