121 passengers survived from sinking RORO
By Obet Samonte
Butuan City-At least 121 passengers including 26 crew of the M/V Ocean King II were saved Tuesday (July 28, 2009).
The vessel almost sank near the Pacific Ocean along San Ricardo shores in Southern Leyte due to rough sea weather condition and strong winds coming from the south west.
According to Petty Officer First Class Michael Romero, the M/v Ocean King II left Lipata port in Surigao del Norte around 12 noon that day heading to Liluan Leyte.
Romero said, the vessel’s Captain Zaldy Agot’s reported that around 3:00 pm as they were approaching the vicinity of sea waters along Balong-Balong point in San Ricardo, the captain noticed sea waters are coming inside the vessels right starboard steering room and the vessel started leaning to the right starboard side.
“To prevent the vessel into a critical situation, the captain decided to dock the vessel on the nearest port in Binit wharf in San Ricardo Leyte. But while on a docking maneuver, the engine got in trouble, so the captain immediately ordered an emergency beaching and started disembarkation of passengers using their 8 life rafts,” he said.
The passengers were then brought to the PPA mini terminal for their temporary shelter.
Romero said, the passengers and crew were all safe. Initially, the local government of Binit is assisting the surviving passengers by providing food while temporarily staying at the terminal, he added.
Coast guard clearing Outpost in Binit are also assisting the passengers and monitoring the M/v Ocean King for any possible oil spillage. It was learned that the vessel is also carrying 13 assorted rolling vehicles.
Romero said they are now verifying the capacity of the vessel to clarify the alleged over loading. The vessel now is located 20 meters away from Binit Pier leaning 80 degrees starboard side.
PO3 Genaro Magsanoc, Assistant Detachment Commander in Liluan Leyte also confirmed the incident due to strong winds and rough sea but assured that the passengers and crew were all safe.
Magsanoc added that the vessel might not be overloaded because the passenger capacity of the said vessel is 331 and the 13 rolling vehicles is only 112.01 tons but still they have to probe further about the incident and assess the vessel’s actual condition.
The vessel almost sank near the Pacific Ocean along San Ricardo shores in Southern Leyte due to rough sea weather condition and strong winds coming from the south west.
According to Petty Officer First Class Michael Romero, the M/v Ocean King II left Lipata port in Surigao del Norte around 12 noon that day heading to Liluan Leyte.
Romero said, the vessel’s Captain Zaldy Agot’s reported that around 3:00 pm as they were approaching the vicinity of sea waters along Balong-Balong point in San Ricardo, the captain noticed sea waters are coming inside the vessels right starboard steering room and the vessel started leaning to the right starboard side.
“To prevent the vessel into a critical situation, the captain decided to dock the vessel on the nearest port in Binit wharf in San Ricardo Leyte. But while on a docking maneuver, the engine got in trouble, so the captain immediately ordered an emergency beaching and started disembarkation of passengers using their 8 life rafts,” he said.
The passengers were then brought to the PPA mini terminal for their temporary shelter.
Romero said, the passengers and crew were all safe. Initially, the local government of Binit is assisting the surviving passengers by providing food while temporarily staying at the terminal, he added.
Coast guard clearing Outpost in Binit are also assisting the passengers and monitoring the M/v Ocean King for any possible oil spillage. It was learned that the vessel is also carrying 13 assorted rolling vehicles.
Romero said they are now verifying the capacity of the vessel to clarify the alleged over loading. The vessel now is located 20 meters away from Binit Pier leaning 80 degrees starboard side.
PO3 Genaro Magsanoc, Assistant Detachment Commander in Liluan Leyte also confirmed the incident due to strong winds and rough sea but assured that the passengers and crew were all safe.
Magsanoc added that the vessel might not be overloaded because the passenger capacity of the said vessel is 331 and the 13 rolling vehicles is only 112.01 tons but still they have to probe further about the incident and assess the vessel’s actual condition.
JULY 22 - 28, 2009 VOLUME 1 NO 11 BUTUAN CITY PHILIPPINES
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