Coast Guard Bans Travel of Small Sea Vessels in Bikol

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 15 - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Bikol has ordered the suspension to travel of small sea vessels including wooden hull and outriggered boats, following the gale warning issued by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that the prevailing northeast winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour are expected to trigger rough to very rough seas with waves reaching as high as five meters.

Bicol Coast Guard deputy director Rodolfo Fontanares, said that they had denied issuance of departure permits to these small seacraft plying the inter-island routes, particularly those facing the Pacific Ocean.

He said they warned all fisher folks to refrain from sailing. "We told them that although there is no storm signal anywhere, but the very rough waves can inflict similar danger to small sea vessels, particularly those made of wooden hull and with outriggers."

The official also explained that the suspension is being carried out on a case-to-case basis. "In areas which are not experiencing rough seas and strong winds, we allow them to continue their travel."

Fontanares clarified that travel ban would be immediately lifted once the weather and sea condition improve.

On the other hand, based on gale warning No. 18 issued Friday by the PAGASA office here, the sea boards of northern, eastern and southern Luzon were experiencing wind force of up to 58 Kph, or 36 knots.

"These areas will experience rough to very rough sea condition, with waves ranging from 3.7- to 5 meters," PAGASA observer Darwin Dikitana said.

According to him, the sea condition in western seaboard of Central Luzon, Visayas, Northern and Eastern Mindanao will be very rough. "Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves."

Earlier, newly resigned PAGASA-Legazpi Chief Cora Samar said that winds of up to 75 Kph would blow over the eastern part of Bikol once the northeasterly monsoon winds prevails in these months of January and February. Samar would join the Bureau of Meteorology of Australia starting February 1. (PNA)

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