Special board of marine inquiry to probe redesigning of SuperFerry 9
MANILA, Philippines - A special board of marine inquiry will probe whether the redesigning of the M/V SuperFerry 9 caused the ship to sink.
Speaking over radio, Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Thompson Lantion said sometimes redesigning could increase the net weight of a ship.
However, they have to wait for the investigation results before they could suspend the operations of vessels owned by Aboitiz Transport System, he added.
Lantion has ordered the Maritime Industry Authority and the Coast Guard to audit all passenger vessels of the Aboitiz Transport System after the Superferry 9 sank off Zamboanga del Norte yesterday.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered yesterday the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) to convene immediately to help in the search and rescue operations of passengers of SuperFerry 9 in Siocon Bay off Zamboanga del Norte.
Measures must be put in place to prevent other possible problems, particularly an oil spill, he added.
Verzosa said the RDCC must ensure that various agencies like the PNP, Armed Forces, local governments, non-governmental organizations coordinate their operations.
“The RDCC must establish rescue/evacuation centers, undertake medical operations, and set up a media center for regular hourly updates. The police public information office will have direct communication lines with the office of the governor and provincial disaster coordinating council,” he said. – Rainier Allan Ronda, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez
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