EDITORIAL - Another disaster at sea

Just a month after the M/V Mercraft 2 caught fire as it was about to dock at Real, Quezon, after leaving Polillo Island, another ferry caught fire, forcing passengers and crew to abandon the vessel.

The latest incident involved the M/V Mama Mary Cloe, en route to Bato, Leyte, from Ubay, Bohol, last Sunday with 165 passengers and crew on board.

According to reports, the vessel just suddenly caught fire, prompting the captain to call the Coast Guard for help. As there seemed no way to save the vessel, the passengers and crew had to abandon it and take their chances with the sea.

It was fortunate that the incident happened within sight of land as well as others vessels that were able to pick up survivors floating in the water. Despite the rescue efforts there was still one fatality.

Investigators say an exhaust fan in the engine room caused the fire.

In our previous editorial about the M/V Mercraft 2 disaster, we said safety at sea is the shared responsibility of the shipping companies, the authorities, and the passengers themselves. This still stands.

Now big disasters are often cause by smaller accidents. We cannot predict those small accidents or tell when they will happen, including overheating exhaust fans. The best we can do is do our best to try and prevent them.

But for one sea tragedy to quickly follow another, this means that there are still people who don’t take safety at sea seriously, or choose to cut the corners to save on money.

Again, we are known as the maritime disaster capital of the world for our dismal record when it comes to sea safety as well as the disasters that happen in our waters every year.

This is not a “title” we want to maintain. Considering how many Filipinos prefer sea travel because of its convenience and affordability, continued neglect of what keeps our vessels safe will put many of them at risk.