DAMAGE INSPECTION. Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) inspect the damage on MV Fastcat M19 following its collision with Barge Krizza Rica in waters two nautical miles southeast of Barangay San Agapito, Isla Verde in Batangas on Wednesday (April 3, 2024). The PCG said one passenger of MV Fastcat M19 was injured and sent to a hospital while the rest safely disembarked in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. (Photo courtesy of PCG)
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday launched an investigation into a collision between a passenger vessel and a barge that happened two nautical miles southeast of Barangay San Agapito, Isla Verde in Batangas.
In an incident report, the PCG said Barge Krizza Rica was being towed by Motor Tug Migi with 17 crew members on board when it collided with MV Fastcat M19 with 47 crew members and 41 passengers onboard.
One passenger of MV Fastcat M19 -- a 26-year-old man from Santa Fe, Romblon -- sustained lacerations in his upper right eye and upper right lip and some minor bruises.
The passenger ship incurred damage on the third deck starboard quarter while the barge acquired scratches on its port bow.
The barge was loaded with 300 sacks of cement when it departed Calaca, Balayan, Batangas bound for Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique while the passenger vessel came from Batangas Port and was headed to Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro.
The incident was reported to the PCG by the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in Batangas.
The PCG Sub-Station Calapan contacted the vessels and advised the barge to anchor at the Calapan Anchorage Area for further investigation.
On the other hand, MV Fastcat M19 safely docked at Calapan Port at 3 a.m. where all passengers disembarked.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in Calapan transported the injured passenger to Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital for further medical assistance.
The PCG Station Oriental Mindoro, PCG Sub-Station Calapan, and Maritime Safety Services Unit – Southern Tagalog have made an initial inquiry and noted the extent of the damage in the vessels.
The PCG’s oil spill assessment yielded a negative following the incident. (PNA)
