Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 19) —The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Monday said it suspended the passenger ship safety certificate of MV Esperanza Star after it caught fire off Panglao town in Bohol province on Sunday.
This means the vessel’s seaworthiness is in question and it cannot be allowed to sail.
MARINA noted that only the safety certificate of MV Esperanza Star was suspended, not the entire fleet of its owner, Kho Shipping Lines.
MV Esperanza Star caught fire around 4 a.m. off Duljo Point in Panglao, a few kilometers from Tagbilaran City Port where the ship was supposed to dock at 4:30 a.m.
According to the initial information from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the fire began at the engine room.
The PCG has begun a marine casualty investigation. PCG Central Visayas Commander Mark Larsen Mariano said Coast Guard naval engineers, architects, and fire experts will compose the group of investigators.
Mariano said the report will be submitted to the transportation secretary immediately, but he did not give a timeline.
Meanwhile, MARINA Central Visayas public information officer Rochyl Villamora said the agency is awaiting the Marine Protest document that details the incident.
MARINA will also interview the crew and will look into the safety practices in the vessel as part of the investigation, she added.
MV Esperanza Star arrived at Cebu Port Sunday night after tug boats towed it from Tagbilaran City. The vessel is at a private shipyard port in Tayud, Liloan in Cebu on Monday.
PCG Central Visayas said all 137 people on board are safe.
One passenger said Kho Shipping Lines provided financial assistance worth ₱5,000 per family, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided ₱2,000 per family.
Solo travelers get the full ₱5,000 and ₱2,000 financial assistance from the company and DSWD, the passenger added.
