FORTY of the 240 passengers of Ocean Jet 7 fastcraft were injured after the vessel rammed into the pier apron of Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) port in Bacolod City Wednesday afternoon.
Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, head of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station-Bacolod, said the vessel, which came from Iloilo City, was approaching the port at 4:40 p.m. when it encountered engine trouble.
The vessel was only 50 meters away from the port, but the boat captain failed to maneuver the throttle.
Vingno said there was negligence on the part of the boat captain because he did not inform the passengers about the mechanical problem.
The 40 passengers suffered headaches, but they were not seriously harmed.
Twenty-two of them were discharged from the hospital as of 8 p.m.
Vingno said they suspended the operation of the vessel until they comply with the requirements.
In September last year, 14 passengers of the same vessel were also injured after the boat hit the pier apron of Bredco port.