DOTr: M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 possibly sank due to overloading

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday said overloading was one of the potential causes of the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 off Basilan waters.

In a press conference, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez shared this development following the initial findings from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“Ang isa po sa mga natukoy na potential causes sa paglubog ng barko ay 'yung sinasabi nating may posibilidad ng overcapacity at overloading. Ito po ay dahil kapag may overloading or overcapacity, posibleng pong nagkaroon ng cargo shift doon sa mga rolling cargoes noong vessel,” he said.

“Ang overloading or overcapacity is the combined rate of the passengers and the rolling cargoes versus doon sa actual capacity na kayang buhatin ng barko,” he added.

Among other possible causes of the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 were poor seamanship and safety violations, according to Lopez.

M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 on the evening of January 25 departed from Port of Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu but it submerged in Basilan waters on the morning of January 26.

The DOTr earlier grounded the entire fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines as authorities conducted a maritime safety and inspection audit following the incident. 

On Wednesday, the PCG said the fatalities from the incident increased to 52 and the survivors remained at 316.—AOL, GMA Integrated News