46 Containers Fall Overboard From Cargo Ship Off Philippines, Coast Guard Warns Ships

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has warned vessels in waters off Batangas after 46 empty containers fell from the cargo ship MV Span Asia 39 on Sept. 3.

The ship is registered under Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp.

The containers fell into the sea near Hamilo Point in Nasugbu, Batangas. The Coast Guard has started operations to find and recover the containers.

The incident took place about 1.78 nautical miles west of Hamilo Point. The ship was about 1.5 nautical miles from the nearest shoreline when its container lashings reportedly came loose.

The master of MV Span Asia 39 told the Coast Guard that the ship left the Davao International Container Terminal in Panabo, Davao del Norte, at 3:42 p.m. on Aug. 31.

The ship was carrying 332 container units and was heading to Manila North Harbour.

At about 11 a.m. on Sept. 3, the ship was approaching the waters off Calatagan, Batangas, when it ran into rough sea conditions and heavy, continuous rolling.

The Coast Guard said the container lashings loosened while the ship was near Hamilo Point. Forty-six containers then fell overboard.

They included thirty 20-foot containers, eleven 40-foot containers and five open-type containers.

Coast Guard Southern Tagalog District Commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said the ship’s captain reported that large waves had dislodged the containers.

Coast Guard Warns Vessels

A drone from Coast Guard Station Cavite was also used to locate and monitor the containers from the air.

The Coast Guard issued a navigational warning and sent VHF SECURITE broadcasts to vessels in the area.

Ships and other watercraft passing through or near the area were told to keep a sharp lookout, stay away from the floating containers and take the necessary precautions for safe navigation.

Another Container Sank

Another container fell from MV Span Asia 39 later that day.

At about 2 p.m., while the ship was moving toward the Manila North Anchorage Area, another container fell overboard and later sank, the PCG said.

The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog contacted the Coast Guard Sub-Station North Harbour under the Coast Guard District National Capital Region to keep in direct contact with the ship’s master.

The communication was used for operational updates and efforts to reduce the hazard from the lost containers.

The PCG said BRP Malapascua, its 44-meter multi-role response vessel, will be deployed to help with the search, drift-tracking and containment work.

The Coast Guard is also checking nearby marine protected areas for possible environmental and coastal impacts.

The Marine Environmental Protection Force-Southern Tagalog identified four areas for monitoring: Taytayin Cove, Santelmo Cove, Pico de Loro (Cutad) Cove and Fuego Point Marine Sanctuary.

The Coast Guard Civil Relations Group-Southern Tagalog also carried out community outreach in coastal areas. The work included social engineering, raising public awareness and promoting safety precautions.

Reference: PCG