PCG advises public not to ride on colorum vessels
As the number of tourists is expected to rise this summer season, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) advises the public, including tourists and tourists guides, to avoid riding colorum vessels which usually figure in sea mishaps.
Lieutenant Commander Arman Balilo, PCG spokesman, warned the public not to patronize the colorum vessels because they are not safe for travel.
“The colorum vessels did not pass through the rigid inspection of authorities. They usually lack safety equipment like life jackets,” he said.
Balilo said colorum vessels were not registered and properly checked by concerned government agencies.
Since the colorum vessels did not pass through the rigid inspection, the lives of the crews and passengers riding on this unregistered vessels are endangered.
“We are appealing to the tourists visiting the country not to patronize these colorum vessels because they are not safe. They have no life jackets and have no safety equipment on board,” Balilo said.
He said many unregistered, or illegal vessels, ply interisland routes including the Batangas to Oriental Mindoro, where one of the favorite summer destination, the beach resorts in Puerto Galera are located.
“There are also some illegal vessels offering trips around of Manila Bay to the locals and tourists,” Balilo said.
He said many tourists avail the services of the unregistered vessels because they have to catch their flights or go somewhere else.
Balilo also appealed to the public and the tourists to instead report the matter to the nearest PCG station or detachment.
“To be certain that the vessel is not colorum, the passengers should ask a PCG personnel or officer. They should also look around the ship and try to see if there are life jackets on board,” he said.
The ship is legal if is properly inspected by the PCG before it is allowed to depart and that it would embark and disembark passengers at a recognized port. They have also papers for operating the vessels. (PNA)
