MANILA — A passenger RoRo vessel operating between Batangas and Occidental Mindoro ran aground early Thursday, triggering a rescue and recovery operation but leaving all passengers and crew safely evacuated.
The 779-gross-ton MV RoRo Master 5 was en route from the Port of Batangas to Abra de Ilog when it ran aground approximately 30 meters from the shoreline of Barangay Udalo at 12:45 a.m.
The Philippine Coast Guard said four life rafts and a lifeline connected to the shoreline were used to evacuate those onboard. By 6 a.m., passengers had been transported to the Port of Abra de Ilog.
While the evacuation was completed safely, the incident disrupted the movement of passengers, vehicles and rolling cargo along the Batangas-Mindoro route.
The PCG said initial assessment found a rocky seabed at the grounding site. No marine protected area was identified in the immediate vicinity, while no oil spill or water ingress was reported.
Initial investigation pointed to a gyrocompass failure as a possible cause of the vessel’s deviation from its intended course.
The exact number of passengers, crew and rolling cargo onboard was still being verified.
Orange Navigation Inc. said a tugboat from Cedar Company had been requested to assist in refloating the vessel. Additional Coast Guard assets were also being coordinated, with the Coast Guard Station Batangas deploying floating assets to support the recovery operation.
The disruption also affected vehicle owners and truckers whose units were onboard. Some remained at the vessel and terminal area while seeking accommodation and compensation from the shipping line for trip delays and vehicle damage.
The incident highlights the importance of reliable navigation and emergency-response systems in one of the country’s vital sea transport corridors.
The Batangas-Mindoro route is a key link for the movement of people, vehicles and goods between mainland Luzon and Occidental Mindoro. A prolonged disruption can therefore affect not only travelers but also cargo movement and local commercial activity.
Meanwhile, government agencies moved to address the immediate welfare needs of passengers.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development deployed social workers and its Quick Response Team, while the local government provided hot meals and medical checkups. Some affected passengers were transported to Abra de Ilog and Mamburao.
The DSWD said it would continue coordinating with municipal authorities to ensure that affected individuals receive appropriate assistance while recovery and vessel-refloating operations continue.| – BNN Integrated News
