MANILA: The Philippine coast guard successfully rescued all 67 passengers and crew members from the Jovelle Express 3 ferry boat after it collided with a floating object and began taking on water on Thursday off Polillo island in Quezon province. This incident marks the second ferry accident in the country within a week, raising concerns about maritime safety.
A passenger aboard the Jovelle Express 3 managed to alert a coast guard station for assistance when the vessel sustained damage after hitting an unspecified object around midday. The 60 passengers and seven crew members were safely brought to Polillo and were awaiting transfer to another boat to continue their journey to Quezon.
Last week, a tragic incident occurred when an overcrowded ferry boat capsized in Laguna de Bay shortly after departing from Binangonan town, southeast of the capital, Manila. In that accident, at least 27 people lost their lives as strong winds caused panic among passengers, leading them to shift to one side of the wooden boat, resulting in it flipping over. More than 40 others were rescued from the Aya Express, according to the coast guard.
Maritime Accidents in Philippine
Criminal charges have been filed against the skipper of the wooden-hulled boat, along with his two crew members, the owner, and a coast guard officer who allowed the overloaded ferry to sail. The skipper admitted knowing the boat was over capacity but claimed he was unable to persuade the excess passengers to disembark.
Maritime accidents are not uncommon in the Philippines, attributed to factors such as frequent storms, poorly maintained boats, overcrowding, and weak enforcement of safety regulations. The country’s coastal areas have witnessed numerous such incidents, posing a significant challenge to maritime safety and highlighting the need for better regulation and enforcement.
The recent incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring safety measures are strictly adhered to and enforced to prevent further tragedies.
