Asian crew stranded on cargo vessel in Iloilo City
The stranded ship is anchored off Barangay Loboc, Lapuz District.
Members of the crew complained about food supply running out, lack of fuel, leaking bulbous bow, among other concerns.
According to the crew, it was on May 12, 2025 when they received their last supply of provisions from their employer, and it was on May 29, 2025 when they received their last salary. The salary, they added, was given in partial basis.
'Ang tubig na ginagamit namin sa pagligo, tubig-ulan. Kasi ang demand niya sa amin, sasahuran niya kami ng isang buwan lang which is 6-month contract dapat,' according to alias 'RC,' chief engineer of the cargo vessel.
He added that the vessel does not have electric supply because the generator set does not work anymore.
He said that they survive on money transfer from their respective families.
According to the ship skipper, alias 'Jay-R,' it was on April 2, 2025 when they took over the vessel as replacement to the former members of the crew. However, the ship has not left Iloilo City from the moment they docked after delivering rice.
It was not allowed to travel because it is not reportedly seaworthy. But the suspension was lifted on the second week of May 2025. However, when it was about to depart, a problem was again detected.
'Tinesting namin ang gyro [gyrocompass], nasira. So hindi kami makabiyahe. Pero pinilit ako ng may-ari na ibiyahe kahit sira ang gyro. Gamitin lang daw ang magnetic compass. Ang biyahe ay Singapore, so ano ang mangyayari?' Jay-R pointed out.
According to Coast Guard-Iloilo Station, they already conducted a meeting with the members of the crew, the owner of the vessel, along with officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The owner of the ship has prepared reportedly for crew change.
'As reported ng DMW upon coordination sa owner ng vessel, ang present crew on board is not maintaining well the seaworthiness of the vessel and the state of the vessel,' Ensign Marvince Genzola, spokesperson of Coast Guard-Iloilo Station, said.
The Coast Guard will inspect the vessel again once the crew change is set.
DMW 6 did not grant GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas an interview, but they reportedly have focused tightly on the issue. —GMA Regional TV
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Passenger ship, fishing vessel damaged in Lucena Port collision
A passenger ship collided with a fishing vessel in the Port of Lucena in Quezon on Thursday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). In a statement, the PCG reported that at 7 a.m., passenger vessel MV Peñafrancia VI bound for Marinduque collided head-on with Fishing Vessel (FV) Sr. Fernando 2 near the Lucena breakwater. After the collision, the MV Peñafrancia was ordered to return to the Port of Talao-Talao, Lucena City for investigation and inspection, while passengers were transferred to MV Peñafrancia IX for medical checkup and cargo assessment. The passenger vessel sustained damage to the starboard bow and ramp, while the bow of FV Sr Fernando 2 incurred damage. All 82 passengers and 18 crew members aboard MV Peñafrancia VI, and 16 crew members aboard FV Sr Fernando were found to be safe and in good condition. The Coast Guard said the accident posed no threat to the seaworthiness, such as oil spill or below-waterline damage, to both vessels. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
13 seafarers stranded for nearly 3 months off Iloilo coast rescued
Thirteen seafarers, including six Filipinos, disembarked from a cargo ship where they were left stranded off the Iloilo Strait for nearly three months due to salary disputes and issues related to the vessel's seaworthiness. Following nearly five hours of negotiations between the ship captain,representatives of the shipowner and the crewing agency on June 30, the crew finally left the Comoros-flagged MV Hirman Star and authorities were granted access to board the vessel. In a Facebook post, Iloilo City Congresswoman Julienne Baronda said the crew would receive their back wages, and the six Filipino seafarers would each receive P100,000 in assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The rescued crew underwent general medical checkups under the care of the Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) to assess if they are fit to travel home. The remaining crew of seven Indian citizens are scheduled to undergo their medical evaluations this afternoon. Representatives from the DMW and OWWA were present during the operations to provide support and facilitate the assistance process. MV Hirman Star had been anchored off Iloilo waters for weeks, with the crew unable to leave due to unpaid salaries and lack of action from the vessel's management. The situation came to the attention of local authorities through public reports, prompting inter-agency coordination that led to the crew's release. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
Asian crew stranded on cargo vessel in Iloilo City
At least six Filipinos and seven Indian nationals on board an international cargo vessel are stranded in Iloilo City for two months already. The stranded ship is anchored off Barangay Loboc, Lapuz District. Members of the crew complained about food supply running out, lack of fuel, leaking bulbous bow, among other concerns. According to the crew, it was on May 12, 2025 when they received their last supply of provisions from their employer, and it was on May 29, 2025 when they received their last salary. The salary, they added, was given in partial basis. 'Ang tubig na ginagamit namin sa pagligo, tubig-ulan. Kasi ang demand niya sa amin, sasahuran niya kami ng isang buwan lang which is 6-month contract dapat,' according to alias 'RC,' chief engineer of the cargo vessel. He added that the vessel does not have electric supply because the generator set does not work anymore. He said that they survive on money transfer from their respective families. According to the ship skipper, alias 'Jay-R,' it was on April 2, 2025 when they took over the vessel as replacement to the former members of the crew. However, the ship has not left Iloilo City from the moment they docked after delivering rice. It was not allowed to travel because it is not reportedly seaworthy. But the suspension was lifted on the second week of May 2025. However, when it was about to depart, a problem was again detected. 'Tinesting namin ang gyro [gyrocompass], nasira. So hindi kami makabiyahe. Pero pinilit ako ng may-ari na ibiyahe kahit sira ang gyro. Gamitin lang daw ang magnetic compass. Ang biyahe ay Singapore, so ano ang mangyayari?' Jay-R pointed out. According to Coast Guard-Iloilo Station, they already conducted a meeting with the members of the crew, the owner of the vessel, along with officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The owner of the ship has prepared reportedly for crew change. 'As reported ng DMW upon coordination sa owner ng vessel, ang present crew on board is not maintaining well the seaworthiness of the vessel and the state of the vessel,' Ensign Marvince Genzola, spokesperson of Coast Guard-Iloilo Station, said. The Coast Guard will inspect the vessel again once the crew change is set. DMW 6 did not grant GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas an interview, but they reportedly have focused tightly on the issue. —GMA Regional TV
