By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
At least three vessels ran aground off the coast of Negros Occidental between Thursday evening and early Friday morning as Typhoon “Odette” battered the southern part of the province.
Based on information released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental, the three vessels were identified as the M/T Mary Queen of Hope, LCT Citic 102 and M/V Jake Vincent Dos.
The M/T Mary Queen of Hope ran aground at Campomanes Bay in Sipalay City’s Barangay Maricalum.
According to the PCG, the vessel left the BREDCO Port anchorage area in Bacolod City last December 15 in order to seek shelter in Sipalay City.
When “Odette” slammed into southern Negros on Thursday night, the vessel’s anchor had reportedly snapped causing it to go adrift until it finally ran aground.
The vessel was inspected by PCG personnel on Saturday afternoon and they didn’t find any damage to the ship’s hull which can cause an oil spill, although the ship’s right engine bottom was damaged.
The LCT Citic 102, meanwhile, ran aground at a local oil firm’s pipeline in the shoreline belonging to the city’s Barangay Banago.
The PCG said a diver working for the oil firm made an inspection and found that the vessel’s stern (rear) was sitting in the receiving pipeline, although the pipeline was not damaged.
The vessel’s captain was later advised by the PCG to loosen its anchor during high tide so as to prevent it from damaging the pipeline.
Meanwhile, the M/V Jake Vincent Dos ran aground at the vicinity of the BREDCO Port early morning Friday.
The PCG sub-station at BREDCO Port immediately conducted an inspection of the vessel and they didn’t find any crew inside.
It was later learned that the vessel had already been abandoned for two years at the port’s anchorage area.
Investigation by the PCG sub-station also revealed that the vessel went adrift while dragging its anchor until it finally reached a shallow area of the port during the typhoon.
The PCG added that no oil spill was also detected as the vessel’s tanks were completely empty and it added that it is not a danger to navigation in the area./DGB, WDJ