A few days have passed now since the Philippines was in mourning for the tragedy that happened near Zamboanga. The Aboitiz SuperFerry 9. The ship sailed from GenSan on the way to Zamboanga when it sank. The Ferry supposed to go to Iloilo too and then final destination Manila.
A lot of people really are wondering right now what caused this tragedy. The weather was good when that ferry started to sail out of GenSan, and remained good. They are investigating right now. They said it could also be sabotage. They say too that it could be that a bomb was planted by somebody somewhere in the ship. The authorities right now have a lot to figure out.
I was just watching the TV and they showed the footage of the ship that’s tilting. Just thinking the fear of the people, the kids especially I really wanted to cry. I saw a foreigner he was injured trying to saved a kid. Unfortunately the kid died. He was really devastated. I felt that guy needs a lot of counseling.
A TV station showed a couple that’s waiting in Manila for their son to arrive together with the aunt and the TV crew found the aunt and sadly the kid, he is one of the 9 people that died. Right now the owner of the SuperFerry sent their other boat to pick up the passengers and be brought to different places. Can you imagined the fear of these people to be riding again on the boat and sail to another place for hours. Kids might not even sleep. I felt sorry for them.
Right around that time the SuperFerry sank another boat (motorboat) from Jolo sank off Basilan Province. The coast guard said that the residents of the place rescued all the passengers of that said boat. The coast guard added that the boat sank because it was hit by the strong waves. They also said that the unregistered boat left Jolo, Sulu, without clearance. I hope they will investigate on that matter.
Now there are a lot of talks about these ship disasters in the Philippines. The people are trying to questions now (the in charge like the maritime) if they are checking closely the boat, ships big or small for proper papers. Cause it said too that over loading with passengers might be the cause of the SuperFerry to sink. I’m pretty sure in a month or so a lot of families will be filing charges for the death of their love ones. Hopefully they will have the result of the investigation then.
Seeing TV reports 968 passengers and crew members reported aboard SuperFerry 9 have been accounted for. Nine died and I think they said that 2 are still missing. I do hope that the families will have some closure soon.
Hi Feyma,
I thank God that 968 people survived. I can't imagine being on the Super Ferry and being told to abandon ship. There are to many similar stories about boating accidents and I wonder how many tragedies like this have to ocur before something is done.
Juramie brother and sister-in-law will be traveling to Negros from Leyte at the end of October. I think I will start praying now for a safe trip.
My concern is how often this happens. Where are the authorities? Why aren't they making the owners comply with safety? Someone needs to beheld accountable, and even if it means the owner going to prison. Fines do nothing to change the ways of business…….i2f
My wife's aunt had a friend with a relative on the superferry ( and she says the ones that are fearful of going by ferry to Zambo will be given plane tickets or, if it's possible, bus fare.
She says, to the best of her knowledge, the ferry was not overloaded. She believed the occupancy limit was 1100.
forgot to add: The ferry line is paying 50,000 to the survivours and 100,000 to the families of the deceased.
Hi Feyma, tradgety is never good no matter where it rears it's ugly head, but kudo's to MARINE for grounding the remaining fleet of Abolitz, when they are hit hard enough in the pocketbook for leaving at risk the lives of innocent people especially children, maybe they will take safety precautions seriously.
Hi Francisco…
I sure hope you mean US dollars…
I cannot begin to imagine the trauma these people suffered…
All I can say it better be $50.000.00 and $100,000.00 US dollars
Anything else would be insulting!!!!
Hi Tyleen – Ha ha.. you are kidding, right? We are not in the US, why would Francisco be talking US Dollars? Actually, I was surprised to read what Francisco said, because initially, the Aboitiz people had said that survivors would get nothing, except transportation. Then, the relented and said that survivors would get P11,000 (yes, that is Pesos). I didn't hear, until Francisco posted it, that survivors would get more than that.
Hello Feyma, Super Ferry had always been my choice whenever I go maritime during the 90s. I think it enjoys a good reputation among the public since it hasn't encountered any mishaps the way Sulpicio Lines does. The only time I think Super Ferry got into an accident when fire erupted in the ship which was terrorism-related as later found out. Most accounts say that the ship was tilted. Super Ferry should face the consequences for its negligence and should commit to bring the trust it once enjoys.
Hi Feyma,
I saw the Superferry 9 sailing out of Sarangani Bay on that tragic day as I was diving in Tinoto! An American Guest asked if it was safe to travel on them and I actually told him yes as there has not been a Superferry Sinking for a long time! Boy, was I wrong on that one!
I was told later that the ship already had a slight list when it sailed out of Gen San so maybe the cargo moved or something! We will probably never know the true details!
Hi Francisco – I've heard that on the news too. I'm pretty sure a lot of the people are scared now to ride the boat.
The news also said that the boat were not overloaded. Really I hope the authorities will find out what's really the caused for the mishap. Still investigating right now.
Good to see you here.
Hi Francisco – I was hearing on the news. It's way lesser than what you are saying.
To be honest I hope the owner will give big amount of money for the injured and dead.
Hi Tommy – You said it right.
I just hope that the boat owners now will get lesson from the tragedy.
Good to see you here. Take care.
Hi Tyleen – Sorry Tyleen that's in peso that Francisco's talking about.
Take care!
Hi GenSan Chris – I wonder if your guest will ride Superferry now after hearing the news?
Do you think they really check out the boat thoroughly before leaving? Just like you said you heard of some problems already. Do you think that the GenSan authorities could have stop that Superferry from sailing since they already saw some problems? Life would have been spared. Just a thought though.
I like seeing GenSanites or Generals here. Take care.
Kamusta ka Feyma,
Yes, this is my thinking too, when are the authorities going to wake up. I realize there's a lot of money to be dealt with in the upkeep of a ferry ship like these. We also know that it is very important for these ships and companies to stay afloat for commerce reasons, delivering cargoes and people to different destinations. They don't want to waste there times with Coast Guard inspections, and regulations, and fines to pay if they are written up. Legal mumbo jumbo again, and of course some type of corruption as well.
Not sure about the bomb, I had never heard anyone speak of a bomb till now. It could be, but I bet was something wrong with the hull, it leaked, water came in, and the ferry sank. Something that may have been prevented if it had been inspected by proper authorities.
Another small oil tanker off of South Western Leyte, the Padre Burgos area (north of Bohol Island), has run aground almost 2 weeks ago now I believe, and they still haven't moved it off, or emptied it cargo of diesl fuel. Of course the people of Leyte are afraid of an oil spill, and ruining there fishing, and sea life. Its engines failed and winds blew it onto a reef, just a few miles off the coast.
I am not sure what the answer is, but something has to be done, and if is done, someone will have to suffer, besides the poor families of drowned victims I hope.
Salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Hi Danny – We will see what they will come up with the investigation. Hopefully it will be soon.
I didn't hear anything about that tanker in Leyte. Gee, I hope they will get that boat out soon. I really hope the authorities will do something before anything happen.
They will do something, but really slow. You know whats going on in the third world countries. Waiting, waiting…
Good to see you again Danny. Take care!
Hi Feyma, I enjoy travelling by ferry when in R.P, but there are some rules I like to set:
1. only travel if the weather is calm, ( no typhoon about)
2. stay on deck…the bunk beds are quite fun.
3. make sure there are life preservers close at hand.
4. enjoy your trip. ( a great way to meet people)
The maintainence of the ferry boats leaves a lot to be desired but as long as the compensation laws stay the way they are, the companies operating the ferries will keep saving money on maitenance and pay a pittence for the grieving families of the dead.
Hi Anthony – Good rules you have there. I'm sure people will have some rules now to follow for themselves after the tragedy. For sure I have.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Nice to see you here.
Take care!
To all,
How do you put a "price tag" on a lost loved one, I am not sure I could do it. Just a thought ,running through my mind as I am reading the comments, and wondering why it makes a difference whether is in US dollars or peso's. Not sure there is an answer here, I am sure a good lawyer could come up with an answer…
Salamat kaayo,
Danny
Kamusta ka Feyma,
Heres another article about the Super ferry 9. I thought this was interesting. Also, another ferry stalled for six hours going from Maasin City to Cebu..but is back now, and should have arrived in Cebu by now. Is very scary….and that is ferry Rose and her family take to Cebu. They can't fly over to Cebu for what they need to do, they bring back a lot of things, to sell at the market, and they travel frequently, use to be once a week, but now is every two weeks..so is very scary thinking about this there. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/171640/superferry-9-n…
I hope posting this link is ok..
Thanks all,
Danny 🙂
Hi Danny – You know what I understand your fears for Rose and her family. That's really scary. I am just hoping that the government will do something and be strict on inspecting the boat before going. Honestly they really need a thorough inspection right now of every passengers boat and tankers. Hoping anyway…
Take care and thank you for the link.
Hi,
I am an ex ship-master presently engaged as instructor in a maritime college. I investigating the superferry 9 accident. I am looking for the transcript or tv footage of the BMI investigation when the ship captain was being investigated. What I wanted to see is the part when the ship-captain said, “when they left port the ship was upright”, and the BMI investigator “what upright? What do you mean by upright?” This par is very significant because it tell the investigator’s technical ability to investigate the incident.
Best regards,
Joseph Arellano