One of the fleets of Trans-Asia Shipping Lines serving the Ozamiz-Cebu route experienced engine trouble late Sunday that stranded all passengers overnight, according to a flash report by the Mindanaoan Broadcasting Channel (MBC) posted on its Facebook page.
The boat was expected to arrive in Cebu at 5 a.m. today, Monday April 17.
MBC said, Trans-Asia 2 suffered “a technical problem” and it's still offshore 31.5 kilometers north of this city, in the waters between Clarin and Tudela.
As of press time, it was not known who the ship captain was when its engine encountered mechanical trouble but Trans-Asia management placed the number of passengers at 600 who were all safe.
The same report posted by MBC added Board Member Richard Centino, Air Traffic Controller for the sea or a harbor pilot, has responded for its rescue operation helping guide the vessel safely to shore.
Toto Jabinez, contact person for Trans-Asia Shipping Lines in Ozamiz, said they hired one of the barges of Daima Shipping Lines to ferry all passengers back to the Ozamiz Port while a big towboat helped pushed the ship back to harbor.
Meanwhile, Trans-Asia management has allayed worries over the unpleasant incident and fears by the passengers and their families by saying they will take full responsibility for their needs including the breakfast of all travelers on board and the full refund of their tickets.
News about Trans-Asia vessels bumping into mechanical troubles has prompted the Maritime Industry Authority-7 (MARINA) to inspect their ships over the incidents.