The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental confirmed the M/V Sea Music, which originated from the Chinese port city of Ningde and was refused entry into San Carlos City waters, eventually anchoring off Sipaway Island, has left and is headed for Amlan, Negros Oriental. PCG-Negros Occidental chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, said the vessel left once their fresh water supply was replenished.
Last week, Amid the ongoing threat posed by coronavirus disease, or Covid-19, San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo issued an executive order barring the foreign vessel from entering municipal waters.
However, despite earlier recommendations for the ship to be redirected to Cebu City or Manila, it will head for Amlan for a “cold layup,” where the vessel will await its next assignment.
Based on a copy of the official manifest provided by PCG-Negros Occidental to Watchmen Daily Journal, it was revealed one of the 15 Filipino crew members was a native of Bacolod City. The remaining foreign crew members were from Ukraine and Russia.
The M/V Sea Music was previously permitted to anchor off the coast of Sipaway Island on “humanitarian grounds” as the vessel was not able to stock up on food and fresh water while in China.
Officials from the PCG and Bureau of Quarantine visited the vessel while in the province and confirmed the crew were in good health and no one was experiencing any sickness while en route to the country./DGB, WDJ