The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has suspended a passenger ferry servicing the Central Visayas region after it caught fire off Panglao town in Bohol on Sunday with no casualty reported.
The agency explained however, that the suspension covered only the MV Esperanza Star, not the entire fleet of its operator, the Kho Shipping Lines.
The punitive action meant that the vessel’s seaworthiness was doubtful and it cannot be allowed to sail again..
The Esperanza Star caught fire around 4 a.m. off Duljo Point in Panglao, just a few kilometers and 30 minutes away from its destination, the Tagbilaran City port. .
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, (PCG), the fire started at the engine room.
The PCG has launched an inquiry into the accident, with PCG Central Visayas chief Mark Larsen Mariano saying the probe panel will be composed of PCG naval engineers, architects, and arson investigators.
Mariano said findings of the probe team would be submitted to the Transportation secretary immediately, but gave no specific deadline.
Meanwhile, MARINA Central Visayas public information officer Rochyl Villamora said the agency was still awaiting the Marine Protest document that provides details on the accident.
The MARINA will also interview the crew and will look into the safety practices in the vessel as part of the investigation, Villamora said.
The Esperanza Star was towed by tugboats to the Cebu Port from Tagbilaran City. The vessel is currently at a private shipyard port of Tayud in Liloan, Cebu.
PCG Central Visayas said all 137 people on board were safe.
Kho Shipping Lines reportedly provided P5,000-financial assistance of per passenger-family, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) chipping in an additional ₱2,000.
Solo travelers got the full P7,000 financial aid.