2 vessels collide in Leyte

Two passenger-cargo vessels collided on Monday afternoon in the vicinity of the port of Liloan, Southern Leyte.

The Maasin Coast Guard office reported that the vessels, MV Ocean King I of Sea Marine Transport, and Maharlika II of Philharbor Ferries and Port Services, left the Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao City for the Liloan Ferry Terminal noon on Monday.

MV Ocean King, which was carrying 47 passengers, and Maharlika II, which had 150 passengers, reached Liloan Ferry Terminal around 4 p.m. of the same day, according to Chief Petty Officer Michael Romero of the Maasin Coast Guard.

Romero said the two vessels "were probably outmaneuvering each other for berthing space at the pier" resulting in the mishap about 150 meters from the Liloan port.

In its marine protest, MV Ocean King I skipper Leoncio Lamaban, 49, said that while approaching the Liloan, Maharlika II's right side bumped the left side of his vessel causing a dent on each vessel and damaging Maharlika's accommodation ladder.

However, no one was hurt in the incident.

The Maasin Coast Guard station, which has jurisdiction over the Liloan port, had not received the marine protest of MV Maharlika II, as of yesterday.

However, Romero said the two vessels were allowed to sail back to the Lipata Ferry Port on the regular schedule 6 a.m. yesterday. (inq)

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