Fatal boat fire started from exhaust fan

CEBU, Philippines — The fire that destroyed a ferry boat on Sunday and killed at least one passenger started from the exhaust fan at engine room of the vessel, investigation showed.

MV Mama Mary Chloe was on its way to Leyte from Bohol when the flames engulfed the vessel.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Krysta Bergantin, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas, said that the captain of the ill-fated vessel already submitted its marine protest and mentioned the exhaust fan as the origin of the fire.

“Marine Protest," as defined under the Philippine Coast Guard Memorandum Circular 06-90, is a declaration on oath by the master, of the  circumstances attending the damage or loss of his vessel, intended to show that the loss accrued by the perils of the sea, and conducting with the protestation against any liability of the owner to  the freighters. It’s used and design is to authenticate the facts and circumstances of a loss to the insurer and all concerned.

Bergantin said that PCG-CV’s marine casualty investigation still continues.

A total of 165 passengers and crew were on board the vessel when it caught fire.

One died and three were reported missing but the two were already found alive the other day while the remaining one person was already found alive yesterday. All the remaining people were rescued.

Bergantin added that the vessel which sank in the vicinity of Bohol shows no oil spilling. — JMD (FREEMAN)