MARINA to probe lack of life vests, overloading, ship was replacement in Basilan ferry sinking

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said it will look at survivors’ claims there were not enough life vests, missing names in the passengers manifest and that the ill-fated M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was a replacement ship for another ship in the tragic ferry sinking off Basilan last Monday.

In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB, Dir. Luisito delos Santos, MARINA spokesperson, said these are among the possible lapses that they will look at in their investigation and safety audit of Aleson Shipping Lines which owns and operates the ill-fated ship.

“May mga violation na nakikita natin. Una, it appears na 'yung naka-assign na barko sa mga kababayan natin na luluwas sa araw na 'yun ay hindi talaga 'yun 'yung barko na sasakyan nila... Mukhang pinalitan,” delos Santos said.

“Sinasabi namin ngayon, nakitaan ng mga matinding violation ang Aleson Shipping [lines],” he added.

He said MARINA will also look closely at what the survivors claims they did not have enought life vests.

“Kasama rin sa imbestigasyon natin 'yan [may ilang pasahero na walang life vest]... Ang nakakalungkot, 'yung mga paunang recount ng mga passenger, may mga life vest kaso allegedly, naka-lock ang lagayan ng life vest,” he said.

“Ang life vest ang pangunahing depensa natin lalo na kung nagkakaroon ng mga aberyang ganito... Ang nakakalungkot, walang bagyo tapos lumubog pa 'yung barko,” the official pointed out.

The MARINA official said the number of functional life jackets should always be equal to a vessel’s authorized passenger capacity.

“‘Yung authorized passenger capacity ng barko na sinakyan nila, titignan natin kung walang overloading. Kaso may ibang balitang lumalabas na allegedly napalitan 'yung barko na sasakyan ng ating mga kababayan.,” he said.

Delos Santos said the MARINA and Philippine Coast Guard are working in managing the incident with the PCG continuing search and rescue operations.

Based on what it has found so far, MARINA said the M/V Trisha Kertin 3’s papers are in order.

“Per documents ng mga barko, valid ang documents ng barko. Walang expired. Ang nagiging isyu lang ngayon ay 'yung bilang ng mga pasahero,” Delos Santos said.

Even though MARINA conducts annual inspections of seagoing vessels, the official explained things could change afterwards.

“Pero ang tanong, after the inspection, after the audit hanggang sa susunod na pagbalik ng MARINA, name-maintain ba ng operators ang seaworthiness ng ating mga sasakyang pandagat? 'Yan ang nakakalungkot, lumalabas na marami ang pagkukulang ng ating operators,”

He appealed to operators, particularly those involved with passenger-carrying ships, to always maintain safety rules and regulations to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. —RF, GMA Integrated News