1 dead as boat capsizes in Romblon

May 16, 2023

One person died after a motorbanca capsized in the waters off Corcuera, Romblon, on Saturday, a report on ''24 Oras Weekend'' said.

A 55-year-old female passenger died due to cardiac arrest, while three others were hurt, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

A total of 89 passengers, 10 of whom were children, and five crew members were brought to Barangay Ilijan, Corcuera.

In a statement, the PCG said the boat captain, Jose Moreno Sr., said MB King Sto. Niño 7 ''submerged due to a direct hit from solid wood at the port side.''

The passengers on board MB King Sto. Niño 7, who were traveling to Simara Island in Corcuera, came from a church-sponsored summer youth camp in Odiongan town.

''It departed from Calatrava Port at 11 a.m. with favorable sea and weather conditions. At around 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., PCG personnel received a phone call from Barangay Captain Jeffrey Factor, who reported that the boat he was on was in distress,'' the PCG said.

''Immediately, personnel of the Command Outpost (COP) Corcuera proceeded to the said location to conduct a search and rescue (SAR) operation. The Coast Guard Station Romblon and Coast Guard Sub-Station Calatrava also augmented the SAR operation.''

The PCG said MB King Sto. Niño 7 had 95 passengers at the time of the accident, including five crew members. The boat's maximum capacity is 96.

Although the PCG claims that the number of passengers on board was still within its limit, authorities are looking into whether the vessel may have been overloaded given the weight of the motorcycle it was carrying.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority Region IV suspended the passenger ship safety certificate of MB King Sto. Niño 7 following the accident.

MARINA said the suspension would only be lifted ''upon favorable recommendation by MARINA inspectors.'' — Jiselle Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News