The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has suspended the passenger ferry M/V Esperanza Star's safety certificate following a fire incident on Sunday.
According to MARINA spokesperson Sharon Aledo, the suspension is in accordance with Republic Act 9295, also known as the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004, and the 2014 changes to its amended implementing rules and regulations.
This resulted from independent investigations performed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the MARINA into the fire that happened on board MV Esperanza when the vessel was cruising off the coast of Panglao, Bohol.
The PCG's Central Visayas district had requested that the Maritime Safety Service look into the cause of the fire.
According to Aledo, MARINA's enforcement service investigated the event for marine safety.
She stated that verifying and validating the vessel's documentation and certificates is part of the safety examination.
The PCG clarified that the ship carried 137 passengers, not 120 as previously reported.
It was reported that 137 individuals were transferred to Tagbilaran City, including 78 passengers and 59 staff members. No one was hurt in the incident.
