THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the operation of MV Lite Ferry 20 of Lite Shipping Corp. and LCT Seamine 8 following their collision off Lauis Ledge in Talisay City last Jan. 5.
Marina 7 Director Venancio Vero Jr. said that he will issue a show-cause order today against the two vessels so they can conduct a public hearing about the accident.
“We will check the appropriate penalties for whoever is the guilty party,” he said.
MV Lite Ferry 20, a cargo-passenger vessel, is owned by Lite Shipping Corp. based in Cebu City while LCT Seamine 8, a cargo ship, is operated by Seamine Ventures Corp. in Tacloban City.
Marina 7 personnel already inspected MV Lite Ferry 20 and received the marine protest filed by ship captain Dominique Carmona.
MV Lite Ferry 20 was bound for Tubigon, Bohol while LCT Seamine 8 came from Tacloban City and was bound for Cebu City when the collision happened.
Lauis Ledge is also where MV St. Thomas Aquinas of 2Go and MV Sulpicio Express Siete collided in 2013. (EOB)