By J. Jala | 06:41 PM June 19, 2023
The Maritime Industry Authority-Central Visayas (Marina-7) suspended the safety certificate of MV Esperanza Star of Kho Shipping Lines that caught fire off Panglao, Bohol early Sunday morning, June 18.
Engr. Rochyl Villamora, public information officer of the Marina-7 Maritime Technical Division, said Marina-7 has sent its technical personnel to check on the incident involving MV Esperanza Star.
The ship captain was asked to submit a maritime protest within 24 hours after the incident.
The submission of marine protest is required under the Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations of 1997.
It is through the submission of marine protest that the cause of the fire will be determined.
Villamora added that Marina-7 has personnel who will conduct casualty investigations to check the safety practices of the company.
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.
