Passenger ship stalls off Cebu

A passenger ship carrying more than 500 passengers stalled off Cebu province while en route to Cagayan de Oro City Sunday night and is now being towed back to Cebu City.

 

The Coast Guard Cebu said the passenger vessel was towed Monday to the pier area of Cebu City after stalling off Naga in Cebu, radio dzBB’s Cebu affiliate Jasmine Baylosis reported.

 

It cited initial information showing the ship, which belonged to Trans-Asia Shipping, stalled at about 10 p.m., and had to be towed by two tugboats.

 

A separate report on Radyo Mo Nationwide identified the affected ship as MV Transia-5.

 

Initial investigation showed the vessel left Pier 4 of Cebu City at 8 p.m. Sunday, heading for Cagayan de Oro City. It had 531 passengers on board, the report said.

 

Crewmembers tried to fix the engine but failed to do so, prompting the captain to have the ship return to Cebu City.

 

The report said the passengers were all safe, and were transferred to another ship of Trans Asia Shipping Lines. — RSJ, GMA News