MARINA says passengers can file complaint if fastcrafrs can’t comply with travel time promise

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region 6 has issued a temporary suspension order on Weesam Express 6 after its engine bogged down carrying 172 passengers bound for Iloilo City.

Atty. Nicole Marie Amuan, MARINA legal officer, in an interview with RMN DYHB Bacolod 747 Khz this morning, said that the vessel is prevented from plying its Bacolod-Iloilo vice versa route.

Amuan said the vessel should secure a passenger safety certificate before it is allowed to sail again.

We conduct regular inspections and require shipping companies to have dry docking of their vessels to ensure that their vessels are seaworthy, she said.

“In cases like what happened to Weesam Express 6 it’s usually mechanical error and not human error,” Amuan said.

As to the delay of some fastcrafts to comply with their one-hour travel time promise between Bacolod and Iloilo, Amuan advised passengers to file formal complaints with their office on the service of the sea vessels.* (EYAdiong)