PCG renews call for weigh bridges in major seaports

MANILA, Philippines - On the first anniversary of the sinking of the M/V SuperFerry 9 that claimed the lives of 10 passengers, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday reiterated its call for the installation of weigh bridges to ensure that the weight of cargoes loaded on ships are accurately distributed.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said his request for the acquisition of more weigh bridges in the country’s major seaports was one of the recommendations cited in the probe report of the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) on the sinking of M/V SuperFerry 9 on Sept. 6, 2009.

Tamayo admitted that when the vessel left General Santos City en route to Iloilo, there were still some cargoes on board. But some questioned if the cargoes still on the ship were properly distributed to ensure that the vessel was stable.

“When you look at a container van, you do not know what is inside. It could be filled with cotton or steel, you do not know its exact weight,” he said.

“Right now, the only way we could assess if the weight is evenly distributed is through its draft load, but with a weigh bridge we would have a more accurate assessment on the weight of a cargo so they would be evenly distributed when they are loaded,” he added.

As of now, only the ports of Batangas and Cebu have these heavy-duty scales. “But what about the other major ports? It is about time that we put up weigh bridges,” Tamayo said.

He said the shipping company or the Philippine Ports Authority could be tasked to provide these equipment.

Tamayo said the BMI report is still on appeal before the Department of Transportation and Communications.

The 7,268 gross ton M/V SuperFerry 9 reportedly off-loaded cargoes at the General Santos City port before it embarked on its two-day trip to Iloilo City on Sept. 5, 2009.

However, at around 3:30 a.m. the following day, the vessel tilted 25 degrees toward its starboard side.

The ship captain, Jose Yap, reportedly told the passengers to “abandon (the) ship,” but some of them opted to wait for the sun to shine before jumping into the water, thinking this would make it easier for search and rescue vessels to see and rescue them. 

The vessel sank off the Zamboanga Peninsula. More than 900 people survived and 10 died in the sea tragedy, with a number reported missing.