PCG:  The Philippine Coast Guard has issued a warning to the shipping passengers to refrain from patronizing “fly-by-night” also known as “colorum” inter-island passenger vessels this Holy Week and summer season.

PCG Commandant Vice admiral Rodolfo D Isorena said that these colorum vessels pose risks to the safety and life of the riding public as they usually are unregistered or lack necessary documentary requirements, thus do not comply with the standards set by MARINA on the safety aspects.

He also stated that some ship owners and operators take advantage of the huge volume of passengers in different ports and terminals in the provinces most especially in places where families will spend their vacation on major tourist spots since major shipping lines will have a hard time in accommodating all the passengers rushing to the different ports in the country.

“Safety of the public is our primary concern, that’s why we are very serious in monitoring and apprehending these colorum vessels. First and foremost, they won’t give any insurance to the passengers if and when a maritime incident occurs. Most of them also do not have life vests and carry defective life rafts onboard. These violations, obviously, if tolerated may result to a major tragedy which we don’t like to happen”, Isorena added.

PCG also announced that the Coast Guard Action Center (CGAC) has opened its hotline 0917-PCG-DOTC (0917-724-3682) 24/7 to accommodate any concerns, inquiries or reports from the public.