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Philippine authorities have grounded the entire fleet of passenger vessels operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. following a deadly ferry disaster that claimed at least 18 lives off the southern island of Basilan, officials announced Tuesday.
The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank early Monday morning near the island village of Baluk-baluk while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo island. The steel-hulled vessel, which featured three decks, was carrying 317 passengers and 27 crew members when it went down in waters estimated to be 76 meters (249 feet) deep.
Coast Guard Admiral Ronnie Gavan confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing for ten people still missing, most of whom are crew members, including the ship’s captain. Search teams have spotted an oil sheen in the disaster area, prompting authorities to deploy divers and remotely operated underwater vehicles to locate and examine the sunken wreckage.
“We’ll make sure that this will never happen again,” Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez declared during a news conference. He revealed that Aleson’s vessels had been involved in 32 safety-related incidents since 2019, raising serious questions about the company’s safety record.
The indefinite grounding order will allow inspectors to thoroughly evaluate the seaworthiness of all the company’s passenger vessels. Lopez indicated that other shipping companies would be permitted to increase their services to prevent major transport disruptions in the region, where ferries serve as the primary means of travel between islands. The Coast Guard may also provide free transportation services during this period.
The human toll of the disaster was brought into sharp focus by survivor accounts. Mohamad Khan, who lost his six-month-old baby in the tragedy, described how the ferry suddenly listed to one side, throwing him, his wife, and other passengers into the dark waters. While Khan and his wife were rescued, their infant drowned.
In the hours following the disaster, rescue teams successfully saved 316 people. However, the recovery of 18 bodies, including that of an infant, underscores the severity of the accident. The Coast Guard initially reported a higher passenger count but later clarified that 15 individuals had decided not to board at the last minute.
The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,600 islands, has experienced numerous maritime disasters throughout its history. Safety experts attribute these tragedies to a combination of factors, including severe weather conditions, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of maritime regulations, particularly in remote provinces.
The nation’s maritime history includes the world’s deadliest peacetime shipping disaster, when the ferry Dona Paz collided with a fuel tanker in December 1987, resulting in more than 4,300 fatalities in the central Philippines.
This latest incident highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring maritime safety in a country where sea travel remains essential for connectivity and commerce. Aleson Shipping Lines has not yet issued a public response to the government’s grounding order, and officials have not specified exactly how many vessels will be affected by the measure.
As search operations continue, authorities are focused on both recovering any remaining victims and determining the precise cause of the sinking. The disaster serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of stringent safety standards and regulatory oversight in maritime transportation throughout the Philippine archipelago.
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11 Comments
It’s deeply concerning to learn about this ferry company’s poor safety record, with 32 incidents in just the past 3 years. Grounding the entire fleet is the right move to protect passengers while a thorough investigation is conducted. Hopefully this leads to significant reforms to improve maritime safety standards in the region.
Agreed, a full and transparent investigation is crucial to identify the root causes and ensure appropriate safety measures are implemented. Passenger lives should never be put at risk due to systemic issues or negligence.
Tragic to hear about this ferry sinking in the Philippines, especially with the high loss of life. Glad the authorities are taking action to ground the entire fleet of this company and investigate their safety record. Hopefully this leads to better oversight and regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.
This is a sobering reminder of the importance of maritime safety, especially for passenger vessels serving island communities. Grounding the fleet pending a full investigation seems like a prudent move to ensure no further loss of life. Curious to learn more about the company’s safety record and what specific issues led to this tragic incident.
Agreed, a full and transparent investigation is crucial to identify any systemic issues and ensure the proper safety protocols are in place. Passenger safety should always be the top priority, especially for essential transport links like these ferry services.
Terrible to hear about this ferry disaster in the Philippines, with so many lives lost. Kudos to the authorities for taking quick action to ground the entire fleet and investigate the company’s safety record. Passenger safety must be the top priority, so this response seems warranted and necessary.
It’s concerning to hear about this company’s troubling safety record, with 32 incidents since 2019. Clearly stronger oversight and enforcement of safety standards is needed in the Philippines’ maritime industry. Hopefully this incident leads to meaningful reforms to protect passengers and crews in the future.
Terrible to hear about this deadly ferry disaster in the Philippines. It’s good to see the authorities taking decisive action by grounding the entire fleet of this company pending a full investigation. Their concerning safety record over the past few years is clearly unacceptable, and stronger oversight and regulations are needed to protect passenger lives.
The loss of 18 lives in this ferry sinking is truly tragic. I’m glad the authorities have taken the decisive step of grounding the entire fleet to investigate the issues. Passenger safety should always be the top priority, so this response is warranted given the company’s poor safety record.
My condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished in this tragic ferry sinking. Grounding the fleet and investigating the company’s poor safety record is the prudent course of action. Passenger safety must be the top priority, so hopefully this leads to meaningful reforms to prevent such disasters in the future.
This is a stark reminder of the importance of robust maritime safety regulations and enforcement. Grounding the entire fleet of this company pending a full investigation is the right call given their concerning safety history. Hopefully this leads to meaningful reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.