Super Ferry 9 suffers engine trouble
Super Ferry 9 of Aboitiz Shipping experienced an engine trouble off Daog Point, west of Negros Occidental which prompted the management to call for assistance from it other ship, Super Ferry 1, where passengers were transferred then brought to Iloilo City.
Super Ferry Vice President for Safety and Security Jess Supan said the Super Ferry 9 has a total of 517 passengers. It left Bacolod port and is bound for Iligan City when the ship's engine suffered a trouble. The ship's captain and crews immediately asked for assistance.
It is also timely that Super Ferry 1 which left Manila and bound for Iloilo passed the area. The passengers of Super Ferry 9 were transferred to Super Ferry 1. There were no reported cases of passengers who asked for medical help after the ship's engine conked out. Super Ferry 1 is expected to reach Iloilo City port 3 a.m. today, Wednesday.
Supan, in a radio interview allayed the fears of the families of the passengers as they were all well and nothing happened to them in spite of the engine trouble that the ship had. Super Ferry 9 will be towed to the nearest port for repair. They are still waiting for the report of the ship captain regarding the engine trouble.
It was learned that some of the passengers panicked after the ship suddenly stopped along Daog Point, west of Negros Occidental. Super Ferry ships have already records of sea mishaps.
Supan said the lives of their passengers are far more important to them. "The ship already incurred engine trouble and we decided not to pursue the voyage," he said.
The passengers can avail of free food and can stay inside the ship while they are still waiting for another ship to bring them to their destination, said Supan.