THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has ordered Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. to suspend all passenger operations following the sinking of one in all its vessels.
“We’re grounding the complete fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, and I’m asking MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) to conduct a maritime safety audit, along with the Philippine Coast Guard,” Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said in a press release on Tuesday.
The order goals to permit an intensive maritime safety and inspection audit of Aleson Shipping Lines’ vessels and crew.
Aleson Shipping Lines operates the passenger vessel M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank within the territorial waters of Basilan on Sunday, leaving at the least 15 passengers dead.
Mr. Lopez said the continuing investigation will determine the reason for the vessel’s sinking and discover any lapses on the a part of the ship owner and the federal government.
The DoTr also instructed MARINA to submit a whole maritime safety audit and inventory of the country’s entire passenger vessel fleet.
MARINA is predicted to release the outcomes of its audit and inventory in the approaching days, the DoTr said.
“Maritime safety isn’t negotiable; it isn’t optional. Business is just secondary, maritime safety will all the time be the paramount and primordial concern,” Mr. Lopez said.
The agency added that it’s prioritizing the shipping company’s prompt issuance of insurance claims and the supply of emergency assistance to the families of victims and rescued passengers. — Ashley Erika O. Jose