By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A Bacolod City-bound Weesam Express vessel reportedly broke down yesterday morning between Guimaras and Iloilo.

Weesam Express officials said the vessel had just exited the Iloilo River when the crew detected unusual vibrations coming from the ship’s propeller shaft.

Concerned for the safety of the ship’s 124 passengers, the captain returned to Iloilo City, with the vessel later towed to the jetty port by a harbor tug.

Officials added, they suspect the vessel may have hit an “underwater obstacle” as it was exiting the river, which may have caused damage and created the unusual vibrations.

Due to the incident, all Weesam Express trips on the Bacolod-Iloilo-Bacolod route were cancelled yesterday.

The ship is now undergoing inspection and repairs./DGB, WDJ