Barge sinks off Sibuyan Island - radio report

(Updated 9:30 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Three months after big waves from typhoon Frank caused the MV Princess of the Stars to capsize off Romblon, bad sea conditions caused by typhoon "Nina" caused another vessel to sink off Sibuyan Island in Romblon Sunday. Fortunately, all of the vessel's 13-man crew managed to swim to safety and seek refuge at the Cresta de Gallo Island in Romblon. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that according Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, the barge sank around 3 p.m. Sunday after encountering big waves generated by typhoon "Nina." Tamayo said he has sent the search-and-rescue craft BRP Nueva Vizcaya to pick up the stranded crewmembers. With the latest sea accident, Tamayo reiterated the Coast Guard advisory barring sea travel in areas that state weather forecasters had placed under storm signals due to typhoon "Nina." Tamayo said under the interim guidelines, sea travel is banned for ships passing through any area under storm signal 1 and up. The guidelines were drawn up in the wake of the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy. As of 5 a.m. Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed under Storm Signal No. 3 Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan Group of Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao. Under Storm Signal No. 2 are Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, Mt. Province, and Ilocos Sur. Under Storm Signal No. 1 are Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Tarlac, Zambales, and Pampanga. - GMANews.TV