Vessel suffers engine trouble

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the absence of weather disturbance, a Mindanao-bound passenger vessel was not able to sail to its destination from Cebu due to engine trouble.

Less than an hour from leaving Pier 5, the auxiliary engine number 2 of MV Trans Asia 5 heading to Cagayan de Oro City broke down.

According to Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas commander, Commodore William Melad, the vessel was carrying 580 passengers, 73 crew members and undetermined cargo.

The PCG report added that at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, the vessel left Pier 5 in Cebu City but the second auxiliary engine tripped off while at the vicinity of Shell Island and Ludo wharf near South Road Properties.

“Master decided to drop anchor for safety, and after troubleshooting found out that auxiliary engine number 2 failed due to overheating,” Melad relayed to The FREEMAN.

Two minutes later, while heaving up southbound, the windlass also broke down.

Windlass is a type of winch used especially on ships to hoist anchors and haul on mooring lines.

Broken windlass forced crew to cut off anchor chain, the report said.

At 11:40 p.m., the vessel successfully returned to Pier 5 where stranded passengers spent the night assisted by Trans Asia management.

Moreover, Melad said they will investigate reports that the vessel almost hit the Ludo wharf.

Abner Llenos, Trans Asia management representative, in a TV interview assured that they gave necessary assistance to affected passengers.

Those who decided to continue with the trip boarded MV Trans Asia 9 which left 8 p.m. last night for Cagayan de Oro City. (FREEMAN)