Forum Support Mike J Posted August 4, 2019 Forum Support Posted August 4, 2019 These small ferries can be a death trap in weather like this. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/boats-capsize-philippines-killing-11-people-190803181849787.html At least eleven people have died and three others were missing after three ferry boats capsized in rough seas off the central Philippines, according to local officials. Sixty three survivors were plucked from the water on Saturday after huge waves swamped the boats in the Guimaras Strait, regional police chief Rene Pamuspusan told reporters. All three vessels plied the short 20-minute hop between the port city of Iloilo and the island of Guimaras, with two of the accidents happening at almost the same time, forcing the coast guard to temporarily shut down ferry services. Services resumed in the afternoon, which was when the third boat capsized, the coast guard said. "The winds and the waves suddenly became strong," coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo told reporters, adding that one of the ferry boats, M/B Chichi, was carrying at least 42 passengers. Ten of the fatalities were aboard the M/B Chi Chi, which capsized after being battered by strong winds and huge waves. Another boat, M/B Keizha, reportedly had four crewmen on board, while the third ferry, M/B Jenny, carried around 30 passengers on board, according to local media reports. One victim died in the sinking of the M/B Jenny. Philippine Red Cross posted pictures of two of the vessels on social media, showing one turned upside down as rescuers swam nearby, while the other was almost completely sunk with just the bow above water. Video from ABS CBN TV network showed a rescuer carrying a child from a motorboat to an ambulance in an Iloilo pier, where frantic relatives waited. Daily Guardian @dailyguardianph ILOILO-GUIMARAS STRAIT TRAGEDY UPDATE Iloilo City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) head Donna Magno confirmed that 11 are confirmed dead in the two separate incidents of capsizing of three pump boats in Iloilo-Guimaras strait on August 3, 2019. Forecasters have warned of heavy monsoon rains and thunderstorms amid a brewing storm about 875 kilometers off the country's eastern coast. Classes and work have been suspended in the Philippines' capital, Manila, amid heavy rains and flooding, which caused heavy traffic jams on Friday in low-lying areas of the city. About 20 typhoons and storms batter the Philippines each year, making the archipelago that lies on the Pacific typhoon and earthquake belt one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The weather bureau said the disturbance was expected to strengthen into a tropical depression in the next 24 to 35 hours and bring more rains. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hounddriver Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 This surprises me as the Coast Guard shuts down the ferries between Sibulan and Santander at even a hint of a storm. How they could let those boats go out in that weather is beyond me. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnMyWay Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 How large are these M/B ships? Doesn't seem like they were overloaded?? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham59 Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 Tragic. . RIP to all those who perished. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Mike J Posted August 4, 2019 Author Forum Support Posted August 4, 2019 2 hours ago, OnMyWay said: How large are these M/B ships? Doesn't seem like they were overloaded?? Very rough guess based on the picture that shows the flooded craft. Maybe 50 feet plus or minus? I think they are basically really large banka boats that ferry passengers between the islands. As for capacity, it reminds me of the riddle: Q: How many Filipinos can you get in a jeepney? A: One more. No meant to be funny after such a serious incident, but it does seem to reflect the overall transportation system here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillipino_wannabe Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 26 dead now according to CBN. Mental (even for here) that 2 boats sink and then the Coast Guard decides to let boats still travel, the 3rd boat to sink was even smaller than the first 2 aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tukaram (Tim) Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 5 hours ago, OnMyWay said: How large are these M/B ships? Doesn't seem like they were overloaded?? They are just regular banka boats, not big ferries. The small bancas, not the big ones like going to Boracay. Four of the dead were all teachers at the same local high school... Monday is going to be a rough day at school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Peterson Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 4 minutes ago, Tukaram (Tim) said: They are just regular banka boats, not big ferries. The small bancas, not the big ones like going to Boracay. A Lot of these Local boats don't leave from a regular Harbour but many from a Beach head so the Coastguard may not know they are leaving for a Trip ( Think Malatapay to Apo Dumaguete livers) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Kid Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 6 hours ago, OnMyWay said: How large are these M/B ships? Doesn't seem like they were overloaded?? Sorry..M/B ships? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnMyWay Posted August 4, 2019 Posted August 4, 2019 3 minutes ago, Arizona Kid said: Sorry..M/B ships? The names of all three ships that sunk started with M/B. I know the larger ferries often start with M/V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now