Captain Napoleon Emphasis and 23 surviving crew members were brought to the Cebu Coast Guard station in the morning of Jan 18 to rest and undergo stress debriefing. The four others were scheduled to arrive in Cebu on Jan 19. A gale warning was issued on Jan 18, prohibiting sea vessels below 250 gross tons from sailing. But the "Meridian Tres" was cleared to leave the Port of Cebu for Tacloban since the vessel ohad a gross tonnage of 2,528. The lashing of the cargo were also inspected before it sailed. The water was calm although it was windy when they left the port. After six hours, around 8 p.m., extremely strong waves in quick succession pummeled the vessel in the waters near Dawahon Island between the provinces of Bohol and Leyte. Buffeted by strong winds and huge waves, Emphasis immediately called the company’s operations manager and sought permission for them to take shelter at the nearest port. His request was approved. But it was too late as the ship lost its balance following the collapse of its stockpile of 160 20-footer containers and five units 10-footers containers reportedly loaded with fertilizers, a car, and a forklift. The cargo vessel slowly tilted 45 degrees to port side. The 64-year-old captain immediately sent a distress call to nearby vessels which also alerted the Coast Guard stations for possible rescue operations. A crew member of the "Larcon Iloilo" relayed the distress call to Coast Guard substation in Hilongos town in Leyte which immediately alerted all Coast Guard Stations to get ready for a possible rescue operation. About 9 p.m., he was informed by Maasin Coast Guard Station that Emphasis ordered his crew to abandon ship. The owner was requested to send tugs and clear the area from container vans. The Philippine Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Command was sent to the area to monitor possible oil spills. Bunker fuel was reportedly used in the vessel’s main engine while its generators were run by diesel.
ACCIDENTS
18 January 2017 - 16:00
Update: 19 January 2017 - 08:34
Meridian Tres sinking: Survivors taken to Cebu, sinking site to be cleared from container vans
Survivors taken to Cebu, sinking site to be cleared from container vans
ACCIDENTS
18 January 2017 - 16:00
Update: 19 January 2017 - 08:34
This news 3398 hits received.
EDITOR
These news may also interest you