The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Sunday suspended the passenger ship security certificates of MV Maria Helena, which allegedly ran aground in Romblon with 93 passengers and 36 crew onboard.
“In view thereof, the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate of MV ‘MARIA HELENA’, hereby SUSPENDED until further notice from this Authority,” MARINA Regional Office IV chief Rizal Victoria stated in a letter.
“Further, said vessel shall be subjected to a thorough safety inspection by MARINA Inspector/Surveyor in order to determine her seaworthiness condition prior to lifting of suspension, if warranted,” he added.
Victoria cited the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004, Ship Survey System (3S), Memorandum Circular No. MS 2023-01, and Administrative Order No. 11-19 for the suspension.
“The Ship Safety Certificate shall be suspended when the ‘ship has been involved in maritime casualties and incidents such as, but not limited to, fire, engine derangement, grounding, collision, allision and hitting hard objects, that may put into question the integrity of the hull and its integral parts and other affected machineries/appliances’,” he stated.
MV Maria Helena allegedly ran aground close to the shoreline of Banton, Romblon previous midnight on Sunday after a tire of one of many rolling cargoes blew up, which broke the lashing, the Philippine Coast Guard stated.
Passengers began disembarking from the distressed vessel utilizing its lifeboat at round 3 a.m. They had been assisted by the PCG and native passenger boats within the neighborhood.
Other passengers had been then delivered to the coated court docket of Barangay Nasunugan for the evaluation of their situation and additional help.
All passengers had been protected after the incident.
GMA News Online had sought remark from the MV Maria Helena’s operator, Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc., however the firm had but to reply as of posting time. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
