Gale warning grounds four vessels, one banca

CEBU, Philippines - At least four vessels and one motor banca have been grounded by the Philippine Coast Guard because of the gale warning issued by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Commander Agapito Bibat, station commander of Cebu Coast Guard Station, said that MV Beautiful Stars (Cebu-Hilongos), MV Rosalinda 3 (Cebu-Baybay), MV Fiji II (Cebu-Bato), MV Mika Mari V (Camotes-Ormoc) and MB JunMar 3 (Camotes-Ormoc) were not allowed to sail.

    Bibat said that no passengers were stranded as the shipping lines did not issue any ticket.

Gale Warning number 5 was issued by PAGASA at 5 p.m. yesterday because of the strong gale winds associated with the Northeast Monsoon. The weather condition was enhanced by typhoon Marilyn.

 According to PAGASA, strong wind is expected to affect the Northern and Eastern seaboards of Luzon and the Northern and Eastern seaboards of Samar Provinces.

PAGASA has advised all fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the sea. As of 4 p.m. yesterday the eye of Typhoon Marilyn was spotted at 1,000 km East of Casiguran, Aurora (16.7N, 131.5E) with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.    It is forecasts to move North Northwest at 11 kph.  (FREEMAN)