PCG: The Philippine Coast Guard in Bredco apprehends two cargo vessels for leaving port without clearance at Sablayan Port, Occidental Mindoro last Saturday, 11 April.

Investigation revealed that while MV Aceford was docked at Sablayan Port last 09 April, one of its crew has completed the pumping of bilge water but left the end portion of the hose submerged at sea. The ingress of water flooded the engine room and damaged the electrical equipment such as pumps, starters and alternators.

The crew used the ship's portable pump with gas engine to pump out the seawater from the engine room.

Meanwhile, MV Seaford 9 left North Harbor, Manila to Bacolod City but diverted its route to Sablayan Port to conduct towing operations to MV Aceford. Personnel of Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) Sablayan advised CGSS Bredco to apprehend both vessels as they left Sablayan Port without clearance.

Immediately, inspection team of CGSS Bredco conducted boarding inspection to both vessels that arrived at Bredco Port and found out that all pumps, starters and other electrical equipment were disassembled by ship’s crew for drying up.

CGSS Bredco issued an Inspection Apprehension Report to both vessels in violation of Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard Memorandum Circular 07-12 dated 24 August 2012 for leaving Sablayan Port without PCG clearance. Both vessels were detained and masters/operators were advised to settle said violation within 10 days. PCG Bredco also advised MV Aceford to file a marine protest regarding the incident and rectify deficiencies before departure.

MV Aceford with 249.89 GT and 167.51 NT is skippered by Captain Joel Batayen while MV Seaford 9 with 498.96 GT/ and 336.31 NT is skippered by Captain Sotero Cla-Or, both owned and operated by Seaford Shipping Lines Incorporated.