Manila: The year 2015 has got off to a horrendous start for shipping casualties with a host in Southeast Asia and two reported in UK waters over the weekend.
One of the first disasters to hit shipping took place in the Philippines on January 1 when a ship carrying 20,040 bags of cement capsized off Malabrigo Point in Lobo, Batangas. The chief engineer of the M/V Sea Merchant died in the accident.
The ship was battered by big waves and strong winds, causing the cement cargo to shift to the starboard side and tilt by 10 degrees.
“The Master ordered his Chief Mate to arrest the list by shifting the ship’s heading while the engine crew tried to intake ballast water to port when three consecutive big waves continued to batter the ship causing it to take in more water. M/V Sea Merchant subsequently sank a few minutes after the Chief Mate initiated the distress call at 4 p.m.,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. [05/01/15]
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