A cargo vessel carrying 360 metric tons of coal ran aground off Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday morning, Nov. 27.
The Coast Guard Sub-Station in Cadiz said it received the report at 6:45 a.m. from Joyvill Tangpus, captain of Landing Craft Transport (LCT) vessel named “The Chairman” of Techmarine Logistics Inc.
The Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Visayas reported that the vessel drifted into shallow waters while maneuvering to dock at the Cadiz Commercial Port.
The ship’s captain told authorities that strong currents pushed the vessel toward a sandy seabed, causing it to run aground.
Coast Guard personnel immediately proceeded to the area and secured the vessel for further evaluation.
The Philippine Ports Authority in Cadiz was also notified about the grounding.
Authorities advised the captain to file a marine protest in connection with the incident.
At around 7:03 a.m., the vessel’s owners dispatched Tugboat Clara, a sister ship, to assist in pulling LCT TML The Chairman during high tide.
Inspectors found no visible structural damage to the vessel’s hull.
By 10:17 a.m., personnel from Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement and Response Unit–Sagay and the Coast Guard conducted an assessment onboard a motorbanca to check for any oil slicks near the site.
The Coast Guard said updates will follow as the investigation is still underway.*