MORE than two months after it capsized, the mv Maria Angelica Grace remains submerged at the Cabahug private wharf in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City.
Philippine Coast Guard Cebu Commander Weniel Azcuna said the wharf's shallow waters have hampered the operations of the Uni Orient Pearl Venture Inc., the firm hired to salvage the ill-fated ship.
This week, the vessel will be towed to deeper waters where it can be turned upright, Azcuna said.
"Medyo nahirapan ang salvor sa pag-upright ng vessel kasi mababaw yung area ng Cabahug wharf (The salvor is having a hard time turning the vessel upright because of the shallow water)," he said in a text message.
Before it can resume operations, the wharf will have to wait until the ship is removed.
Last month, the salvor company tried to tow the vessel to a nearby shipyard but the metal chain snapped during the operation.
Bound for Masbate
The 416-gross-ton ship, which was bound for Masbate Province, capsized past 9 p.m. last March 11 while loading cargo due to strong waves caused by a passing fast craft. It carried rice, sugar, vehicles and 8,000 liters of diesel oil.
All 18 crew members managed to safely evacuate the ship, which is owned by Manila-based Repal Inter-Island Shipping Lines.
Azcuna said the vehicles that went under the sea will be hauled out so the wharf can resume operations.
The threat of oil spill has been eliminated, as the salvor company already drained the oil from the vessel's tank.
Some 4,000 liters of diesel were siphoned off, out of the 8,000 reported by the crew. Azcuna said the other half may have been consumed by the engine before the ship capsized.