ALL boat trips connecting Davao City to Talicud Island and the main island of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) have been cancelled until further notice by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Davao due to Tropical Storm Vinta.
PCG Commander George Maganto said Thursday that the decision to cancel all boat trips was based on the weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Under the PCG advisory as of 6 a.m. Thursday, the trips in Sta. Ana Wharf to Kaputian and vice versa; Sta. Ana Wharf to Talicud and vice versa; Km 11 to Babak and vice versa; Maewess to Babak and vice versa; and DavSam to Babak and vice versa were all cancelled since.
The resumption of the trips will depend on the advisory of Pagasa.
"Wala po tayong date and time kung kailan mag resume ang byahe. Depende sa weather forecast from Pagasa (We don't know when the trips will resume. It will depend on Pagasa's weather forecast)," Maganto said.
All sea travels between Davao City and Samal Island are no longer allowed since 5 p.m. Thursday, December 21.
Maganto warned those who will insist to travel despite the cancellation and for those will not heed the regulation that they will face corresponding sanctions.
He said that for the first offense, violators will be fined P50,000 and recommendation to Marina for three months suspension of ship's franchise and Seafarers Identification and Record Book (SIRB) of the Master and Patron.
For the second offense, the operators will be fined P100,000; recommendation to Marina for six months suspension of SIRB and ship's franchise; and recommendation to Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) for six months suspension of Master's License.
For the third offense, violators will be fined P150,000; recommendation to Marina and PRC for the cancellation of SIRB, ship's franchise, company license to operate, and Master's License.
Vinta was expected to make landfall over Caraga and Davao Region area between late evening Thursday and early morning Friday, December 22.