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Transportation secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the filing of charges against domestic carrier Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. for negligence and safety lapses involving its passenger ferry, MV Trisha Kerstin 3
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Among the issues found by investigators were overloading of both the vessel’s passengers and cargoes
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Lopez also ordered the relief of eight Maritime Industry Authority and five Philippine Coast Guard personnel who conducted the pre-departure inspection of the vessel, and the PCG Zamboanga station commander for command responsibility
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Lopez also directed MARINA to file administrative charges against three Zamboanga regional officers for neglect of duty
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DOTr will issue a department order for risk-based categorization of ships and shipping routes as part of the agency’s corrective measures to ensure the observance of strict passenger and vessel safety to prevent a repeat of the tragedy
Transportation secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the filing of charges against domestic carrier Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. for negligence and safety lapses involving its passenger ferry, MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off the waters in Basilan, claiming the lives of 52 passengers, crew, and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel.
Lopez also ordered to be relieved from duty eight Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) personnel and five PCG personnel who conducted the pre-departure inspection of the vessel, and the PCG Zamboanga station commander for command responsibility.
In a press briefing on February 11, Lopez assured victims of the tragedy that justice will be served swiftly.
In a news release issued after the briefing, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Lopez lamented that MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was able to sail despite its glaring safety deficiencies in its passenger capacity certification, drydock/repair compliance, and seaworthiness certification.
In the aftermath of the incident on January 26, MARINA began a comprehensive safety audit on Zamboanga City-based Aleson Shipping Lines, whose entire fleet had been grounded.
The MVMV Trisha Kerstin 3, a roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry, was en route to Jolo, Sulu from Zamboanga City when it sank in waters near the island province of Basilan.
Among the issues found by MARINA investigators were overloading of both the vessel’s passengers and cargoes, non-utilization of the weigh bridge at the port by the rolling cargoes and private vehicles that boarded the vessel, and inconsistencies on the number of people in the passenger manifest as against the actual number of passengers on board.
READ: MARINA starts safety audit of grounded Aleson Shipping fleet
Aside from the MARINA and PCG personnel who were relieved from duty, Lopez also directed MARINA to file administrative charges against MARINA Zamboanga regional director Engr. Jedini Nur Sibal, MARINA shipping operations specialist Engr. Bevin Bibi, and MARINA shipbuilding specialist II Jose Ray Quimiguing for neglect of duty.
“Kung lumabas sa pagdinig ng administrative cases nila na meron silang matinding kapabayaan sa kanilang tungkulin (If they are found to have committed serious neglect of duty) , we will not hesitate also to file criminal cases against them for possible violations of RA (Republic Act) 3019,” he said, referring to Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
A DOTr department order will also be issued for risk-based categorization of ships and shipping routes as part of the agency’s corrective measures to ensure the observance of strict passenger and vessel safety to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.
Last month, Lopez ordered a comprehensive compliance monitoring and inspection of the country’s domestic shipping fleet following recent accidents.
READ: MARINA to undertake comprehensive check of all domestic ships
MARINA Enforcement Service director and spokesperson Luisito Delos Santos earlier said MARINA recognizes that recent accidents in domestic shipping “point to serious and systemic safety challenges within the country’s maritime transport sector.”
He pointed out that accidents occurring even in fair weather conditions “demonstrate that safety risks are not limited to weather alone, but extend to vessel seaworthiness, maintenance practices, operational discipline, and safety management systems.”
The comprehensive compliance monitoring and inspection aim to “establish a formal inventory classifying vessels and operators into high-risk, moderate-risk, and low risk.” A risk-based approach in monitoring ship operators’ safety and security compliance will allow MARINA – with its limited manpower – to focus on high-risk vessels and operators, Delos Santos said.
MARINA also recently issued an advisory reiterating the need for domestic shipping companies to strictly enforce safety requirements and emergency protocols.
