CEBU CITY - Strong winds brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) pushed a cargo vessel ashore and ran aground in a coastal town of Minglanilla, a coast guard officer here reported on Thursday. Ensign Abel Lomboy, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas, said the vessel, LCT Golden Bella, was anchoring near the coast of Barangay Calajoan on Wednesday after it delayed its travel to Naga City due to bad weather when strong winds pushed it ashore. The vessel was from Tawi-Tawi days past the arrival of the storm, he added. 'It was dragged toward the shore due to rough seas and a rising tide,' Lomboy said. The vessel's anchors were broken thus, it floated freely and could not hold from waves. As of Thursday, the vessel was 100 meters away from the shoreline and continues to move closer due to huge waves. The coast guard plans to pull out the vessel through a tugboat. As part of maritime safety, PCG-Central Visayas personnel are now conducting underwater hull inspection to assess any possible hull breaches. 'Monitoring for any oil spill is ongoing with contingencies in place,' Lomboy added. Meanwhile, Lomboy said the PCG Central Visayas has partially lifted the suspension of sea travels for 250 gross tonnage and above. Source: Philippines News agency
Friday, October 25, 2024