‘350 roro pa2ssengers all safe,’ Coast Guard confirms as vessel veers off rough seas
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed that all 350 passengers of a Roll On-Roll Off (RORO) vessel stranded off Aklan waters over the weekend are now safe and sound.
With rough seas and high waves, RORO vessel Starlight Atlantic of Starlight Ferries Corporation was forced to stop at midsea. The vessel was scheduled to dock at the Caticlan Port in the Province of Aklan yet had to veer off Hibon Nabas, Aklan.
First brought to the attention of Bombo Radyo Iloilo, one of the passengers alerted said radio station of their plight, alarmed after some 12 hours of waiting at the sea.
Coordination was then made with the Coast Guard with PCG assistant Station Commander Senior Chief Ramonito Napoles confirming to Bombo Radyo the eventual safe arrival of all 350 passengers.
To note, it was a passenger named Ramona Ellama of Igbaras, Iloilo who called Bombo Radyo Iloilo for help. Ellama said they left Mindoro late Friday evening and stopped short off Caticlan about 3am Saturday.