The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to file administrative cases against Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc., the owner of MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off the waters of Basilan on January 26.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the directive was issued after the department’s interim and initial investigation revealed multiple violations of maritime safety standards, laws, and operating conditions committed by the shipping company.
Lopez disclosed that the investigation found indications of “overcapacity or overloading“ of the vessel at the time of the incident.
“Lumabas din po sa investigasyon na hindi dumaan ang mga rolling cargoes tulad ng mga truck at motorcycles sa weighing bridge doon sa pantalan. Ibig sabihin, hindi po natin natimbang, wala tayong actual weight, kundi ang meron lang tayo ay informal estimations,” Lopez said.
Lopez added that the vessel was able to sail despite not being properly weighed, and that the declared number of passengers did not match the actual number of people on board.
The DOTr chief further pointed to poor seamanship and possible issues with crew competency, particularly during the critical moments when water started entering the vessel.
“Lumabas din ang inconsistencies, which is still subject of further validation by the Coast Guard, doon sa numero ng pasahero as per passenger manifest kumpara doon sa mga numero ng survivors or still missing at recovered,” Lopez said.
The DOTr chief also said that the investigation likewise revealed “safety deficiencies“ during the pre-departure inspection, yet MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was still issued a sea safety or seaworthiness certificate.
Because of these findings, the DOTr is also looking into holding third-party service providers accountable.
Lopez said the department’s legal team has been instructed to study the possible filing of criminal charges against individuals responsible for the maritime incident.
Aside from the ordered the filing of an administrative case against Alison Shipping Lines to determine whether its Certificate of Public Convenience should be revoked or its operations suspended.
The move also includes the filing of administrative charges against the crew of MV Shocker Speed 3, along with the suspension of their Seaman’s Identification Documents (SID) pending investigation.
The DOTr Legal Service has likewise been directed to coordinate with the MARINA and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to prepare for the filing of criminal charges against the officers and owners of Alison Shipping Lines, as well as against the surviving crew members of the vessel.
Meanwhile, Lopez confirmed that eight marine officers and six Coast Guard personnel from Region 9 have been removed from their posts and placed under preventive suspension, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation and the establishment of sufficient evidence.
According to the latest official reports, the death toll from the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has reached 51 fatalities.
