Watch: Dead Ship Loses Anchor & Drifts Uncontrollably Towards Port In Strong Storm

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded immediately to an incident involving the MV Super Shuttle Roro 2 drifting dangerously toward the Multi-purpose Berth at Batangas Port amid the chaos caused by Tropical Storm Kristine.

The alarm rang at 4:31 p.m. on October 23, 2024, alerting port officials to the vessel’s risky position due to strong winds and waves.

The Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) Batangas issued an alert, advising that the MV Super Shuttle Roro 2 was being pushed by severe weather conditions. In response, the PCG dispatched the Coast Guard Sub-Station Batangas City to the location.

Initial reports said the vessel, described as a “dead ship,” had lost its anchor and was floating uncontrollably with three crew members on board.

The MV Super Shuttle Roro 2, owned by Asian Marine Transport Corporation, had been anchored outside the Delta Anchorage Area in Bauan, Batangas, since November 5, 2023, waiting for dry docking.

The storm broke the vessel’s anchor, sending it drifting toward the port. Captain Mazo of Asian Marine Transport Corporation coordinated the dispatch of a tugboat, Motor Tug Sedar 6, to help control the drifting ship.

The tugs arrived at 5:28 PM. However, the towing operation was suspended due to worsening weather conditions.

Video Credits: Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog/Facebook

While the MV Super Shuttle Roro 2 was later moored at the dock, operations were halted until the storm calmed. The PCG continues to monitor the situation to safeguard the safety of the vessel and other port users.

The storm, named Kristine in the Philippines, has caused severe damage and challenges across Luzon, the country’s most populated island.

Although Kristine did not achieve typhoon classification, it did bring constant winds of over 60 mph and gusts exceeding 70 mph, leading to heavy rainfall.

As per the reports, the storm has killed over 20 people and forced more than 150,000 people to evacuate.

The Coast Guard has reported disruptions at 136 ports, with around 10,000 people affected and over 2,800 shipments stranded. Around 150 vessels were stuck, while 315 others sought refuge from the storm.

In another similar incident, the container transport vessel LCT ASC Big Boy, carrying 154 containers and seven rolling cargoes, reported that its anchor chains had broken. The vessel, with 17 crew members, drifted ashore about 160 feet from Barangay Sugod.

Although the ship’s engine remained operating, efforts to remove it from the sand were difficult due to the storm. Later that day, the crew reported that an oil spill occurred due to a puncture in the port fuel tank, delaying rescue efforts even further.

Another vessel, the LCT Golden Bella, ran aground in Cebu due to strong winds and rough seas, causing its anchor chains to break during the storm.

The PCG is constantly working to assist the vessels and has advised all mariners to take caution during these extreme weather conditions.

Reference: Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog

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Source: Maritime Shipping News