PCG probes cargo vessel, boat collision

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has formed a Maritime Safety Investigation Team (MSIT) to determine the cause of the collision between a cargo vessel and a foreign utility boat at the Manila South Harbor last week.

PCG National Capital Region and Central Luzon spokesman Lt. Michael John Encina said a five-man team is looking into the collision between M/V Pearl Palawan and Cyprus-flagged utility boat BKM 104.

The incident left M/V Palawan Pearl, which carried 3,000 liters of diesel in its storage tank, half-submerged, according to the PCG.

The MSIT is composed of the PCG station commander in Manila, a legal officer, a marine environment officer, a maritime safety officer and a secretariat. The team might finish its investigation within two weeks, Encina said.

“The MSIT is a fact-finding team that would check the party liable for the collision. The outcome of the investigation will be used as a basis in crafting memorandum circulars to prevent a repeat of a similar incident,” Encina said.

He said if a case is filed in court, a copy of the findings could be requested and be used as evidence.

The MSIT expects to receive today the affidavits of the crewmembers of M/V Pearl Palawan and BKM 104.

According to initial investigation, the utility boat was bound for Bulacan when it crashed into the cargo vessel at the Manila South Harbor.

The PCG said BKM 104 was contracted for dredging and land development activity for the construction of the New Manila Airport.

The PCG had placed spill booms around M/V Pearl Palawan, which was half-submerged some 100 meters away from the Baseco Beach to prevent an oil leak.