PCG. “An estimated 483 meters of stretched of coral reefs on Monad Shoal were found to be damaged after a bulk carrier ran aground at said vicinity on June 13”, according to the PCG investigating team.

M/V Belle Rose, a Panama-registered vessel of 29,104 tons and loaded with 48,000 tons of cement powder was transiting at the vicinity waters of Monad Shoal when it accidentally ran aground at four (4) nautical miles Southeast off Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan, Cebu at 3AM of June 13.

On the same day at 9:50AM, Mr Gary Casis, a PCG Auxiliary member and a local diver who conducted underwater hull inspection reported that the vessel’s hull is completely resting on the seabed. However, no signs of oil spill were observed from the said aground ship.

At 12:30PM, a Marine Safety Investigating Team of CGS Cebu composed of four (4) members conduct inquiry to the master of M/V Belle Rose.

The vessel’s cement cargoes were transferred to M/V Belle Rose’s sister ship and were subsequently unloaded at San Fernando, Naga, Cebu.

Mr Juniel Chan, manning agent of M/V Belle Rose has already coordinated with a salvaging company and is expecting six (6) Japanese staff from Japan and two (2) other staff from Manila composed of one (1) Filipino and one (1) Japanese to arrive in Cebu for the conduct of salvage operations today.