Esperanza’s safety certificate suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has suspended the safety certificate of motor vessel Esperanza Star following a fire that occurred on board the ferry on Sunday.

“The suspension is pursuant to Republic Act 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004, and the 2014 amendments to its revised implementing rules and regulations,” MARINA spokesperson Sharon Aledo said yesterday.

This developed after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the MARINA conducted independent investigations into the fire that occurred on board the Esperanza as the vessel was sailing in the waters off Panglao, Bohol.

The PCG’s Central Visayas district had asked the Maritime Safety Service to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Aledo said MARINA’s enforcement service conducted a marine safety investigation on the incident.

She said that part of the safety investigation is checking and validating the documents and certificates of the vessel.

The PCG clarified that there were 137 people on board the ship and not 120 as earlier reported.

It said the 137 people included 78 passengers and 59 crewmembers, who were taken to Tagbilaran City.

All were in good condition and no one was reported injured.