Death Count in Zambo Ferry Mishap Rises to Five

MANILA, Sept. 6 --The death count in the sinking of MV Superferry 9 off Siocon Bay near Zamboanga Peninsula Sunday morning rose to five as 900 passengers and crew were rescued while 63 others remained missing.

This developed as Philippine Coast Guard dispatched vessels BRP Corregidor (AE 891)and MCS 3009 from Puerto Princesa Port, Palawan to join the search, rescue and oil spill response operations.

Report said that Superferry 9 was carrying 200,000 liters of industrial fuel oil; 80,000 liters automotive diesel Oil and 10,000 liters of lube Oil when she departed Manila for Iloilo and Gen. Santos City and supposedly until her return voyage from Gen. Santos to Iloilo and Manila

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant, said that as of 3:05 p.m., 905 crews and passengers have been accounted for including the five fatalities.

At 8:45 a.m. Saturday, MV Superferry 9 left Makar Wharf, Gen. Santos City bound for Iloilo City. The vessel was recorded to have been carrying 968 passengers and crew.

Tamayo said Coast Guard received report at 3:30 a.m. that Superferry 9 listed by approximately 35 degrees towards her starboard side until she sank at the vicinity 9.5 NM West of Banga Pt., Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte or at Latitude 7 degrees 30 minutes North and Longitude 121 degrees 55 minutes East.

Reports said at 4:40 a.m. Sunday, the skipper of the ill-fated ship told passengers and crews to abandon the ship while at the vicinity 9.5 NM West of Banga Pt., Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Unconfirmed reports received reveal that the generator set of the ill-fated vessel went on and off. The vessel eventually completely sank off at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Immediately, and after confirming that the passengers have started to abandon ship, or to transfer her passengers to liferafts, Tamayo directed Coast Guard Districts Southwestern Mindanao, Western Visayas and Central Eastern Visayas to alert and dispatch all available vessels to depart and conduct search and rescue operations.

Notice to Mariners has been issued by the PCG.

Coast guard Southwestern and Northern Mindanao districts as well as Western Visayas district to coordinate with local military/ police units and LGUs to dispatch available assets to render assistance.

Aboitiz said it had dispatched MV Myriad in the site and that MV Ocean Integrity was already undertaking rescue operations in the incident area.

According to Aboitiz, the Superferry 9 is some 9.5 nautical miles abeam of Banga Point, Siocon, Zamboanga Peninsula and about 30 liferafts have been launched from Superferry 9.

Superferry 9 of Aboitiz Transport System is skippered by Capt. Jose G Yap and departed General Santos City at 8:45 a.m. Saturday. with 968 passengers onboard enroute to Iloilo. Her total passenger capacity is 984. (PNA)