The Philippine Coast Guard Station in Negros Oriental has cleared the Tambobo Bay in Siaton town of mooring lines and ship wrecks to allow roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations to commence at the port there.

Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard – Negros Oriental station commander, told the Philippine News Agency yesterday that the clearing operations began on Monday, June 16, with scuba divers removing submerged mooring lines used by fishing boats.

“The mooring lines were at the channel or mouth of the bay and had to be removed so that the Ro-Ro vessel can safely pass through toward the Tambobo Port,” Enopia said.

She assured that fishing boats still have mooring lines to use or can drop anchor in the bay where Ro-Ro operations are not impeded.

The maiden voyage of M/V Ocean 6 from Siaton to the Pulauan Port in Dapitan City, initially scheduled last Sunday, has been moved to Friday, June 20, pending final preparations.

The opening of the Tambobo Port in Siaton’s Barangay Bonbonon is seen as a temporary answer to the problem of large cargo trucks being diverted to Negros Oriental due to the repair of the San Juanico Bridge.

The Ocean 6 can accommodate up to 30 trucks at one time, and is initially sailing once a day to and from Tambobo port.

Enopia said fishing boats could still use that port except for the ramp and its vicinity, intended for the Ro-Ro vessel and trucks.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard also removed fishing boats that were half-submerged or destroyed within the port vicinity and in another part of the bay where private yachts were anchored.

The Coast Guard commander said they were helping the Philippine Ports Authority in clearing the bay of shipwrecks, although it is not their primary responsibility. (PNA)