Ship with more than 700 onboard found capsized - local officials

(file photo of MV Princess of the Stars-this is the same Ship that richelda.com and companions used as a means of transportation on their way from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro...see video of richelda.com in her http://richelda.blogspot.com. "Vintage ship na kasi,when we are overboard,"hindi umaandar ang airconditioned, all passengers in the first class cabin and airconditioned cabins slept in the canteen area.."yon lang ang may gumaganang aircon"....richelda.com)


UPDATE) Ship with more than 700 onboard found capsized - local officials

A passenger ship has sunk off in the waters of Sibuyan Island in Romblon, San Fernando Mayor Nanette Tansingco said in a live interview over dzMM’s Special Coverage on typhoon "Frank".

"Pinaconfirm ko kasi may pumunta mga tao from that area, Sitio Kadipangahan, Barangay Taclobo… Sinabi ko sa kanila na ibaba nila ‘yong speedboat at puntahan nila para makita natin kung ‘yon talaga ay [MV] Princess of the Stars at ‘yon talaga," said Tansingco.

Tansingco explained that she sent a speedboat manned by the San Fernando chief of police and members of the Bantay Dagat and they saw Sulpicio Lines’ MV Princess of the Stars capsized.

She added that her men saw the passenger ship 2-3 kilometers from the shoreline, upside down with a hole in the middle.

"Pinapuntahan ko nga kasi meron silang report kaninang umaga na mayroong tumaob na barko at tumawag na sila sa akin at meron nang nakitang apat na bangkay at yung pangalan na Pincess of the Stars," Tansingco said.

She said four bodies have been recovered. None of the bodies however have been identified, the local chief executive said.

"Yong apat na katawan, ‘yong dalawa ay nasa Barangay Mabolo at ‘yong dalawa ay nasa Barangay España," said Tansingco.

Tansingco said she received the report from the team only 8:30 a.m.

Earlier reports from the maritime authorities said the boat had 626 passengers and 121 crew. Approximately 45 of the passengers were reportedly minors.

Area difficult to reach

The area where the ship was reported to have capsized including the areas where local authorities reported to have recovered bodies were described as difficult to reach, both by land and sea due to the bad weather.

A Coast Guard vessel sent to the area was reported to be still three hours away.

Roads were reported to be almost impassable. The town’s police chief was ordered by Vice-Mayor Laringa Malapitan to proceed to the areas using a motorcycle.

Local authorities however were hoping that survivors would be found as the Sibuyan District Hospital began preparations to receive them.

Ran aground

The passenger ship was reported to have ran aground in Sibuyan Island on Saturday, stranding 747 passengers and crew aboard.

The ship ran aground and experienced an engine breakdown in Sibuyan Island after being battered by strong waves due to typhoon "Frank", radio dzMM reported earlier.

The ship departed Manila Friday evening, and was en route to Cebu.

The ship has 626 passengers and 121 crew, Philippine Coast Guard officials told radio dzMM.

The Coast Guard said three vessels sent to the area, BRP Davao del Norte and two tugboats, returned to port because the vessels were overpowered by strong waves.

Other rescue teams are also having a hard time responding due to strong waves and zero visibility due to heavy rains.

The ship earlier was still able to communicate with the authorities, the Coast Guard said. By late Saturday night however there were no more communications received from the ship.

The Coast Guard vessel BRP Pampanga was reportedly also on its way from Manila to respond to the emergency.

The Coast Guard had also sought the help of other shipping vessels near Sibuyan and Romblon islands to possibly rescue the passengers and crew of the stricken vessel. With reports from Rod Izon, dzMM