By J. Jala | 08:49 PM June 18, 2023
Kho Shipping Lines (KSL) Incorporated announced on Sunday that a new boat will replace the ill-fated MV Esperanza Star for the Iligan-Lazi-Tagbilaran-Cebu route.
“The KSLi is set to replace the said vessel this week, particularly this Friday, with MV Cataingan so as not to hamper the flow and continue serving passengers and cargoes plying the said route as company’s commitment to the local folks of Iligan City and Lazi, Siquijor who had been clamoring for such service, ” Kho Shipping Lines said in a statement.
MV Esperanza Star caught fire early Sunday morning in the waters off Tagbilaran City and Panglao Island in Bohol province.
All crew and passengers were immediately rescued to safety with no injuries or casualties reported, being taken cared of and all accounted for.
Roro vessel MV Esperanza Star was serving the route Cebu City-Tagbilaran City-Lazi, Siquijor-Iligan City when fire incident occurred at its aft or rear portion en route to Tagbilaran City and Cebu City from Lazi early Sunday morning.
Functional fire suppression systems long installed in the vessel, such as CO2, fire hydrants, sprinkling system and other fire fighting equipment immediately activated to put off the fire and avert further damages to the vessel making the aft portion as the only affected area.
Kho Shipping Lines said it extended its gratitude to the personnel of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Bohol, personnel of vessel TransAsia 19 and fisherfolks of Tagbilaran City and Panglao area in the province of Bohol for instantly responding to the distress call.
