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Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has suspended the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate of motor banca Rose Marie 1 and the seafarer identification books of its captain and crew
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The capsized and sank in waters between Dalupiri and Fuga islands in Cagayan on Oct. 31, the Maritime Industry Authority said
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MARINA also ordered the owner to explain, within 10 days, why he should not face administrative action for failing to properly secure cattle cargo
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has suspended the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (CSSC) of the motor banca MBca Rose Marie 1, along with the seafarer identification books of its captain and crew. This follows the vessel’s sinking near Dalupiri Island and Fuga Island in Cagayan, DOTr said.
DOTr said the action follows the President’s order to ensure the safety of vessels, passengers and crew, and to put in place measures to prevent similar incidents.
What MARINA’s documents say
In a letter dated Oct. 31, MARINA Regional Director Fernan Cabral told owner-operator Floresanto Lagat of Dilam, Calayan, Cagayan, that the incident happened at about 8:30 a.m. that day. The CSSC is suspended effective immediately, pending investigation, verification and assessment of the vessel’s safety condition.
The seafarer identification books of boat captain Ryder John Lagat and seven crew members were also suspended, subject to MARINA regulations and administrative proceedings on their accountability. MARINA cited Administrative Order No. 11-19, Series of 2019, Republic Act No. 9295 and MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 152.
The CSSC suspension stays until the identified deficiencies are corrected and the vessel passes the required survey or inspection of its seaworthiness and fitness.
Show cause order
On Nov. 1, MARINA’s regional legal office issued a show cause order. It directs the owner to file a verified answer within 10 days of receipt, explaining why no administrative action should be taken for failure to maintain safe operation of ships. The order says he allegedly failed to properly secure the cargo, which it identifies as large cattle, and that this resulted in or contributed to the capsizing. MARINA classified the incident as a serious marine casualty.
The order cites two terms of the vessel’s Certificate of Public Convenience: that the grantee shall provide safe, adequate, efficient, reliable and proper service at all times, and that it must give MARINA a marine protest of any accident within 24 hours.
Under MARINA Memorandum Circular GC-2026-02, fines for a serious marine casualty range from P300,000 to P1 million depending on vessel category. Penalties include suspension of the responsible person’s licenses and the Ship’s Safety Certificate for one to three months, or revocation for repeat offenders or gross negligence. The documents do not say which category applies to this vessel. Failure to answer on time would count as a waiver, and the case would be decided on available records.
The documents do not state whether anyone was hurt or how many were aboard.
