PCG: A chief engineer died, while 260 other passengers remain safe, as two vessels collided in Talisay, Cebu last Wednesday, May 13.

Reports from the Coast Guard Station (CGS) Cebu revealed that M/V Starcraft 9 accidentally collided with cargo vessel M/V Our Lady of Faith, a mile off Lauis Ledge, Talisay Cebu.

The fast craft was loaded with 260 passengers bound for Tubigon, Bohol while the cargo vessel was laden with 1,520 metric tons of cement bound for Bacolod City.

The collision caused C/E Romeo Astillero, 58, of M/V Starcraft 9, from falling overboard. He was immediately rescued by his crew and was rushed to Chong Hua Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. 

Meanwhile, all passengers of M/V Starcraft 9 were assisted by the personnel of Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Aduana and Central Visayas Medical Team in their disembarkation. No injuries were reported among the passengers and crew of both vessels. 

M/V Our Lady of Faith is anchored in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu while awaiting further instructions. Its master reported that the ship incurred no damage from the collision. 

Pio Fulache of MC Phil Maru Shipping Corporation and Florentina Carnacer of Dragon Star Highway Shipping Corporation brought their Vessel Captain's Marine Protest at the CGS Cebu and both agreed to settle the matter amicably. 

Carnacer further informed the Coast Guard that they will shoulder all hospital and funeral bills of Astillero, including the claims of his family. 

Moreover, MARINA has issued a suspension order to the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC) of M/V Starcraft 9 and Cargo Ship Safety Certificate of M/V Our Lady of Faith effective 14 May 2015. Both captains of subject vessels were likewise suspended while MARINA conducts investigation of the incident.

M/V Starcraft 9 is a passenger motor vessel with 76.35 GT/ 29.11 NT. Said vessel is skippered by Capt. Roman F. Pialago Jr. and has four officers and 12 crew while M/V Our Lady of Faith, a cargo vessel with 543.76 GT/ 243.00 NT owned and operated by MC Phil Maru Shipping Corporation was manned by Capt. Jose M. Adaptar with four officers and 20 crew.