MANILA, Philippines — With seven passengers still unaccounted for, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has started its investigation into the sinking of a ferry in the waters off Quezon last week.
Eight died and 243 were rescued when the 206-ton M/V Mercraft 3 sank while navigating toward the port of Polillo island from Real town, PCG spokesman Capt. Armand Balilo said yesterday.
“We have started with the maritime casualty investigation. Our Maritime Safety Service Command sent a team of investigators to Quezon,” Balilo said.
He said among those to be looked into are reports that a floating object hit and damaged the ferry. Earlier reports said the ferry sank after it was hit by big waves spawned by Tropical Storm Vinta.
Balilo said there was no indication of overloading, noting that the ferry, which has a a maximum capacity of 286 passengers, only had 258 passengers.
The ferry sank at around 11:27 a.m. in the waters off Dinahican, Quezon and Polillo, only five nautical miles away from its destination.