Barge runs aground off Vigan; Coast Guard probe on

A 125-meter-long barge owned by San Miguel Corp. ran aground near the shoreline of Vigan, Ilocos Sur last Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard said late Thursday.

Citing initial reports, the Coast Guard said the “Floating Dock Daigo” ran aground some 50 yards from the shoreline of Sta. Catalina amid big waves from Tropical Storm Egay.

The Coast Guard said the "Floating Dock Daigo" then drifted and ran aground at the shallow area of the shoreline. It said owners of the San Miguel Corp. Shipping Lines decided to tow the vessel.

But while the motor tugboat "Trabajador 1" from Hiroshima, Japan tried to tow the barge to Mariveles, Bataan, big waves and strong winds damaged the towing line.

An investigation by Coast Guard Narvacan personnel showed the barge was beached 70 yards southwest off Sta. Catalina.

The Coast Guard had coordinated with the barge's captain to be able to submit a marine protest on the incident. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News