Suspension of Superferry fleet is alarming

I was scheduled to visit Cebu and had decided to take a ferry, instead of taking an airplane, last week. Plane tickets are now cheaper these days but have to book it in advance, say two weeks before the schedule flights. With low airline ticket prices comes also the no-check-in-baggage policy of airlines. Boat fares are few bucks lower than airline fares.

I am from Cagayan de Oro City and the best way to sail to Cebu is by taking the Cebu Ferries and Superferry, operated by the Aboitiz Shipping Company,  or  by Gothong Shipping Lines. I hate TransAsia Shipping Lines. I tell you in my other entry here why my hatred.

On regular days, only Cebu Ferries and TransAsia have a travel schedule from Cagayan de Oro City to Cebu on/every Thursday night. I was expecting, last Thursday, that Cebu Ferries is still sailing on that night. Sadly, Maritime Industry Aurthority (MARINA ) suspended it, together with other SuperFerry schedules, after Superferry 9 sunk the other week off the coast of Zamboanga City. Airlines is my other option but unfortunately the ticket price was already pegged at almost P2,000.00 or more. In short, I took a boat - TransAsia China, during that time its airconditioning units bugged down and my accomodation had to be downgraded.

I could easily deduce the reason of MARINA in suspending Cebu Ferries and Superferries operations pending their examination or evaluation. Obviously the reason is passengers’ safety. I am not against securing or ensuring safety of life because it must always be given first  priority in whatever dealings of business. 

The suspension of the operation of the Aboitiz Company-run shipping lines had a great impact on the local economy. Delays in the transportation of farm produce can be expected. This is actually comes second to the safety of the riding public.

I, however, don’t understand the reason of “safety of passengers” as basis for suspension. There is  no need to suspend all the ships under the company’s fleet just because one of its cargo-passenger vessels had met an accident at sea. What would be the connection of the other vessels to the tragedy? I would understand, perhaps, if the suspension is based on the premise that it’s to penalize the owners of the ships for their neglect. But was the sea tragedy or mishap of Superferry 9 caused by neglect of the owners? I can safety say that Superferry 9’s captain and crew can be held most responsible than the owners. It’s the captain and the crews’ call to set sail on that evening, not of the ship’s owners. It was the Philippine Coast Guards’ call to let or not to let the vessel sails. 

In my opinion, it’s the government regulatory agency or the MARINA’s responsibility to ensure that all sea vessels are seaworthy. Actually, it’s them who inspect and examine all the vessels and who issues certificate of compliance for safe sea travel.  And I wonder, why the decision to suspend all the vessels under the Aboitiz Company? I am not defending Aboitiz. I am only curious and worried by this decision of the MARINA. 

For me, MARINA’s decision manifested sheer sign of dereliction of their duties. Their decision means that they were not able to ascertain the safety of other vessels under the fleet even they have already issued certification of their seaworthiness; so the need to inspect them now.

For me, this situation is VERY ALARMING!

This prompts us to ask another question, how’s the safety of other vessels, which had secured also their safety certification? MARINA should also re-check or re-inspect or re-evaluate them to assuage our concern and fear.

For me, the suspension of Sulpicio Lines is just enough for it traded the lives of their passengers in quest for more money/profit.

For me, the suspension of other sea vessels who are not seaworthy, whoever and however powerful their owners are, is acceptable than suspending the whole fleet with seaworthiness certificate just because one of its vessels encountered an accident.