The Philippine Coast Guard and local partner agencies have responded to an incident involving a vessel that ran aground in Cebu province on Tuesday, January 12.
The master of the Ro-Pax ferry Manoling 2 said his vessel had earlier departed the Port of Isabel in Leyte province and was en route to Danao City in Cebu when strong currents caused it to drift until the hull made bottom contact in a shallow area near its final destination.
The master then requested the coast guard for assistance in evacuating the 53 passengers and towing the grounded ferry to deeper waters.
The coast guard confirmed via social media that all passengers have been safely brought to shore. Further, a civilian tug has been tasked with towing the ferry to an area near the Port of Danao where it will not pose a hazard to navigation while inspections of the hull are being conducted.
