MANILA – Following the collision off Batangas on Wednesday, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) suspended the operations of Ocean Jet 6, a passenger ferry, and Hop & Go 1, a water taxi, for an investigation.
Suspended are the recreational safety certificate of Hop & Go 1 and the passenger ship safety certificate of Ocean Jet 6, as announced by MARINA Chief Sonia Malaluan.
“Both vessels will undergo comprehensive safety inspections to assess their seaworthiness,” stated Malaluan in a press release.
In an update from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Ocean Jet 6 is currently detained for investigation, while Hop & Go 1, the smaller vessel, has been towed to a yard in Puerto Galera.
PCG is actively gathering sworn statements from those involved and other relevant information as part of its ongoing probe.
The collision occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday when MV Ocean Jet 6 and Hop & Go 1 collided in waters off Matoco Point in Batangas City, resulting in the unfortunate demise of the captain and a crew member of Hop & Go 1. Additionally, two Chinese passengers sustained injuries.
At the time of the incident, Ocean Jet 6 was en route from Batangas to Calapan, while Hop & Go 1 was traveling from Puerto Galera to Batangas.
Hop & Go 1 carried a total of four Filipino crew members and five foreign passengers, including two Chinese and one Swedish national.
Fortunately, none of the 19 crew and 105 passengers aboard Ocean Jet 6 were injured, and all were reported to be in good physical condition.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
