TACLOBAN CITY – A Panama-flagged vessel, M/V Fionan, temporarily anchored off the waters of Barangay Cabatuan, Palapag, Northern Samar on Saturday, March 22, as it said to have experienced a mechanical problem.
Based on the information from the Palapag Coast Guard, at about 7:18 am that day, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Palapag reported on what they suspected to be a case of vessel grounding near the barangay’s vicinity waters.
This prompted the Coast Guard in Palapag to verify the report.
Upon arrival at the area, the team, together with the members of the Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement and Response Unit of Northern Samar, conducted an inquiry with the residents, who confirmed that no oil spill or environmental hazards had been observed.
Merlinda Flores, Cabatuan barangay chairperson, informed authorities that her villagers had spotted the vessel at around 2:00 am on Saturday, it said.
At 11:50 am, the Coast Guard successfully established radio contact with the vessel, later identified as MV Fionan, a Panama-flagged ship with a Vietnamese crew of 23, including the captain.
The vessel had last departed from Australia and was en route to Vietnam when it dropped anchor for shelter and mechanical repairs.
The crew reported no distress, stating they were addressing an engine piston system issue before resuming their voyage at 6 am on Sunday, March 23.
Due to a language barrier, authorities were unable to obtain further details about the vessel.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
