Rescue operations completed for 160 people on grounded fast craft off Cebu

(Updated 9:20 a.m.) Rescue operations for 160 people aboard a fast craft that ran aground near Lauis Ledge off Talisay City in Cebu on Thursday evening has been completed, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

In a post on its Twitter account, it said all the passengers of the MV Weesam Express 7 were in good physical condition.

Coast Guard rescued 160pax onboard MV Weesam7 that ran aground at 6:40PM, Jan23 in Lauis Ledge,Cebu.All pax were in good physical condition.

— PhilippineCoastGuard (@PhilCoastGuard1) January 24, 2014

A report by dzBB radio's Roland Bola said the passengers of the grounded vessel were transferred to another fast craft.

On the other hand, Visayas-based Bombo Radyo quoted some of the passengers as saying they were scared because of the big waves and strong winds.

The report said some of the passengers felt dizzy, while others said their stomachs hurt.

Earlier, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said the PCG sent small craft and rubber boats to the Lauis Ledge to rescue the passengers, according to a dzBB report.

 

The MV Weesam Express 8 also came to its sister ship's aid and took on some of Weesam Express 7's passengers, a report on "Saksi" aired Thursday night said.



It is unclear how the fast craft, which was en route to Cebu from Ormoc, Leyte ran aground, the report said. It added the ship reportedly developed a leak and that its engine was damaged.

Sinking of the MV St. Thomas Aquinas
 

On August 16, 2013, a passenger ship, MV St. Thomas Aquinas, collided with cargo ship MV Sulpicio Express Siete in the same general vicinity.

The Aquinas sank within 10 minutes of the collision, a member of its crew said then.

The 2Go Group, the operator of the sunken ship, said their vessel had 841 people on board consisting of 723 passengers and 118 crew and that they were authorized to carry 1010 people.