DOTC - PCG: Six crew members of a domestic cargo ship were rushed to a hospital in Bacolod City after an explosion injured them while onboard MV SF Adventure yesterday, March 7.

Information received by Coast Guard Station (CGS) Bacolod through marine band VHF radio revealed that an emergency incident onboard said vessel required immediate assistance.

Initial investigation by the personnel of Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) Bredco disclosed that some crew members of MV SF Adventure were conducting welding opertions at the cargo hold area of the ship to repair leaks from the fuel daily tank.

It was discoveed that the tank manhole on the weather deck remained open during the welding operations and crew members who acted as fire watch were standing on ready at the area.

Accordingly, a fire exploded from the manhole injuring six seafarers identified as follows:

1. 2nd Engineer - Pedrito Mahinay, 45 y.o., Negros Occidental
2. Oiler – Deo Norico, 32 y.o., Iloilo City
3. Oiler – Inocencio Sardido 26 y.o., Cebu City
4. Apprentice Engr – Ronilo Cabalcar, 22 y.o., Iloilo City
5. Apprentice Engr – Froulin Sembrano, 22 y.o., Iloilo City
6. Apprentice – Artemio Rosales, 21 y.o., Tacloban City

Coast Guard Station Bacolod received information thru marine band vhf radio and informed Coast Guard Sub Station Bredco at around 9:40 AM of 07 March 2014 to render necessary assistance to MV SF Adventure due to an emergency onboard while moored at Bredco Port, Bacolod City.

The Coast Guard personnel immediately rendered assistance and brought the injured crew to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for treatment with support from the shipping company.

The 497GT vessel was skippered by Capt. Nestor Montes and was docked at the Bredco Port when the incident occurred.

MV SF Adventure is owned and operated by Seaford Shipping Lines, Inc. with business address at Bredco Port, Bacolod City.

The master was advised to file a marine protest relative to the said incident and will be required to submit a certificate of seaworthiness from MARINA prior to its departure.