Bohol-Cebu fastcraft catches FIRE

By Jun Niño, ABS-CBN Cebu
Posted at 08/21/2011 3:18 PM | Updated as of 08/21/2011 3:18 PM

CEBU CITY, Philippines - An island fast craft owned by Island Shipping Company caught fire while en route to Cebu from Bohol.

A report said at least 3 have died. Authorities have yet to determine the veracity of the report.

The ferry, reportedly with 60 passengers, was near Mocabol Island in Bohol when the fire broke out around 12:10 p.m. on Sunday.

The coast guard and the ship's owner, Alex Tan, refused to give any information or formal statement about the incident.

pa- tubigon ni nga route nu?

This is the update:

At least three people were feared killed after a fast craft heading from Bohol to Cebu caught fire Sunday noon, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

PCG commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag said the MV Island Fast Craft 1 was nearing Pier 3 at Cebu City when a fire broke out in its engine room.

"Ang casualty apparently, dalawang passengers plus isang crew, ito ang chief mate (Our initial reports showed the casualties included two passengers and one crew, supposedly the chief mate)," Liwag said in an interview on dzRH radio.

When asked if the three had died, he said yes. He did not name the three, however.

He said the fast craft has 67 passengers and eight crew members, but only 64 passengers and seven crew were rescued by a passing vessel.

Initial investigation showed the incident occurred while the fast craft was on its way from Tubigon in Bohol to Pier 3.

Liwag said he has ordered an investigation into the incident, saying a fast craft should have high safety standards.

"Tingnan natin ang record niya sa Marina, kung kailan siya nabili at ano ang modification (We want to see its records from the Maritime Industry Authority, including when it was acquired and what modifications were made to it)," he said. - KBK, GMA News

SHOULD HAVE HIGH sAFety standard....mao man ni permi nila isulti ug naay ing ani mahitabo...nganu kaha dili SOP sa tanang fastcraft para masigurado ang safety sa mga pasahero????

maojud! ..pkuyuga ko mam ky jamu paq kasakay barko..pero pg naay ingon ani d jud mlikayan mgpanghadluk jud ta..safe sailing..

pd pud mam bsta wala c dugong,hehe..

Hala looya noh..??? D pa jud nla panahon..

Looya pod oi..tsk tsk..iPray nlng nato cla.

agree wd u mam..

iapil na2 ang aprob..hehe