QUEZON CITY (PIA) — Philippine Coast Guard responders helped secure a Ro-Ro ship that drifted uncontrollably toward a multi-purpose berth in Batangas Port after it broke loose from its anchor due to strong winds and waves from storm Kristine.
In a post on Facebook, the PCG said that the incident took place at about 4:32 p.m. on Oct. 23, Wednesday, which prompted port officials to sound a loud alarm, signaling a potential danger to nearby vessels docked in the multi-purpose berth.
Big waves and strong winds from storm Kristine tossed MV Super Shuttle Roro 2 about until it broke loose from its anchor, prompting an immediate response from PCG Station Batangas.
An initial investigation showed that the vessel, which was a “dead ship” with three duty personnel onboard, had lost anchor and was drifting uncontrollably.
Further investigation revealed that the vessel, owned by Asian Marine Transport Corporation, had been scheduled for dry docking and was anchored outside the Delta Anchorage Area in Bauan, Batangas, since November 5, 2023.
As of Thursday, Super Shuttle Roro 2 has remained secured at the berth, waiting to be tugged off when the weather condition improves.
Earlier, in an interview on PTV 4’s Balita Ngayon, PCG spokesperson Commodore Algier Ricafrente said that based on initial investigation, there was no indication of any possibility of an oil spill from the ship that has long been scheduled for dry docking.
Meanwhile, another ship broke loose from its anchor due to Kristine’s strong winds and rough seas and ran aground nearshore off San Agustin Romblon, Ricafrente said, adding that all its crew members are safe and that there is no danger of oil spill from the ship. (PIA DMD)
