Prayers, media updates keep hopes up as family members of Superferry 9 passengers converge in Iloilo port
Family members of Ilonggo passengers on board the ill-fated Superferry 9 began the agonizing wait at the passenger terminal of the Superferry in the Iloilo Port yesterday.
All seeking confirmation and update, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, grandmothers and friends converged here even as official word from the Central Office came ‘bit by bit.’
By 3 p.m., a group of at least 30 were seen huddled in one area of the terminal with Superferry Iloilo staff providing snacks and consoling word. Some were seen praying, others seemingly providing each other support while most stayed glued on the television.
Members of the local press provided periodic media updates as local networks joined the nationwide special radio coverage of the incident and the rescue operations.
Siblings Rodlief and Cheryl Hechanova were among those present bearing a picture of their mother Candelaria. The two came with an aunt concerned on the lack of communication with their 47 year-old mother.
A resident of Barangay Dulonan, Iloilo City, Candelaria was on board Superferry 9 by herself and managed to text her children minutes after the vessel left General Santos City. She said everything was alright, weather was good and that she was just getting ready to get some breakfast. By 4 a.m. yesterday though, the family was told by a friend of a text from their mother asking that they call her and that it was an emergency.
Similar stories heard from others in the wait who shared text messages just about 4 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. from panicked family members on board Superferry 9.
Teresita Monijage was accompanied by several relatives in anticipation of updates. Her son Jobert and 3 year-old granddaughter were among the passengers.
Also awaiting word were relatives of elderly couple Edilberto and Rosal Maloto. Both in their late 70s, the couple’s niece Tita Sabado said all they could do was to patiently wait.
By 4 p.m. yesterday, the Hechanovas were first to get confirmation that Candelaria survived and among those rescued. The News Today (TNT) was told that she was brought to Zamboanga for medical check. A phone call assured her children that while she was shaken and terrified of her ordeal, she was in the good hands of strangers thereafter.
As of press time, names of other rescued passengers were released to the media and family members in the Iloilo port, the port of origin and final destination in Manila port.
Transport from Zamboanga of the rescued Iloilo-bound passengers is expected today with a 13 to 15 hour boat trip.
Superferry Corporate Communications Desk in an advisory posted 2:20 p.m. yesterday said that: “at 2:30 a.m. of September 6, 2009, SuperFerry 9 reported that it was listing to the right in the vicinity of Batarompon Pt., West of Zamboanga Peninsula. The vessel was carrying 847 passengers, 117 crew members and 4 sea marshals for a total of 968 persons on board.”
“All passengers were told to put on life vests while the master tried to correct the list. When he determined that the list was irreversible, he ordered abandon ship and life rafts were launched. Crowd crisis control measures were conducted by the crew who assisted in the donning of lifevests and in the manning of emergency crew stations. All the life raft stations were manned immediately.”
“The crew of SuperFerry and the marshals on board proceeded with the safety drills and helped with the evacuation of passengers. The crew were the last to depart the ship at 8:42 a.m., when SuperFerry9 tilted and sank. SuperFerry assured the relatives of the passengers that SuperFerry9 had enough life jackets and life boats for the passengers.”
“Upon receipt of SuperFerry’s distress call, The Phil. Navy and Coast Guard immediately dispatched their vessels in the area. A 2GO cargo ship, MV Myriad, and MV Ocean Integrity which were in the vicinity, immediately rushed to the area to assist in the rescue operations.”
“As of 1:12 p.m., 880 persons have been rescued with three (3) fatalities. 88 persons remain to be accounted for.”
“Ongoing rescue operation is still being conducted for SuperFerry 9 passengers and crew with onsite rescue vessels within the vicinity area. A total of 880 passengers and crew which includes 3 fatalities are now onboard the rescue vessels enroute to Zamboanga. Local Government Units as well as the Phil. National Red Cross have also been mobilized to search the coastal towns near the area for survivors.”
“All rescued passengers and crew will be brought to Zamboanga port. SuperFerry has arranged for all required assistance such as medical, hotel accommodations, clothing, food and transport needs for the rescued passengers and crew. All injured passengers will be brought to the hospital immediately. Counseling will also be available for passengers who will need them.”