Passengers stranded at Aklan ports due to ‘Usman’

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

At least 115 passengers and 24 rolling cargoes were stranded as of 8 p.m. Thursday in the northern sea ports of Aklan due to Tropical Depression ‘Usman’, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) raised Typhoon Signal No. 1 in Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Northern Negros Occidental and other parts of Visayas and Bicol with sustained winds of 55 km/hr and gustiness of 65 km/hr.

The typhoon is likely to make landfall over Eastern Samar on Friday, December 28 and it is moving west towards Palawan by Saturday. 

With the weather bureau advisory, sea trips of vessels of any type and tonnage bound to Mindoro, Romblon and Batangas provinces from Malay and Buruanga sea ports in Aklan were not allowed to sail by the Coast Guard. 

In Alegria port in Buruanga, 18 passengers and 8 rolling cargoes while 97 passengers and 16 rolling cargoes in Caticlan port in Malay were stranded due to ‘no sail order’ or suspension of sea travel. 

Motorboats travelling the Caticlan-Boracay route and vice versa, however, were allowed between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. only to ferry tourists and residents. 

Under Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard (HPCG) Memorandum Circular No. 02-13, the Tanon Strait between Boracay and Caticlan used as routes between these areas is considered a ‘special area’ or ‘short distance voyages’.

Voyages from Caticlan to Boracay Island are allowed from sunrise to sunset only and if the sea condition is calm to gentle breeze, good visibility, light rain showers and motorboats to carry not exceeding 50 percent of its authorized passenger capacity, even Typhoon Signal No. 1 is hoisted within the point of origin or route or point of destination.  

The agency had advised all units to strictly implement HPCG Memorandum Circular No. 02-13 on the movement of vessel during bad weather.