INCIDENT REPORT: Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte headed by the Station Commander CG CDR ELAINE R PANGILINAN under the urgent directive of CG COMMO LUISITO S SIBAYAN MPA Commander of Coast Guard District Northeastern Mindanao immediately responded to a reported maritime incident involving LCT Golden Star 9 which accidentally ran aground at the shallow waters 0.2NM miles away from Danawan Island, Brgy. Danawan, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte due to unfavorable rough sea condition brought with strong winds on 10 September 2021.
Per initial inspection of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), almost seventy-five percent (75%) of vessel’s length ran aground the shallow waters which incurred a punctured hole at the port quarter area of the engine room resulting the seawater to gradually enter which subsequently caused flooding. Moreover, the incident area wherein the ill-fated vessel ran aground with coordinates LAT 09° 055.053’ NORTH, LONG 125° 29.476’ EAST has presence of several corals which had been also damaged due to the incident.
Investigation revealed that on or about 4:36am of September 2021, LCT Golden Star 9 departed Municipality of Dinagat, Province of Dinagat Island bound for City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte which manned by twelve (12) crew members including the Master and without any cargo onboard. While transiting at vicinity waters off Danawan Island, Brgy. Danawan, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte around 7:00am of same date, the vessel unexpectedly encountered rough sea condition accompanied with strong winds causing the vessel to subsequently drifted towards the shallow waters approximately 0.2NM away from Brgy. Danawan and eventually ran aground.
LCT GOLDEN STAR 9 is a cargo vessel with 730GT, owned and operated by Manfel Cargo Shipping Corp. with business address at Unit 906 Infinity Tower 26th Street, Bonifacio Global, Taguig Metro Manila and manned by 12 crews onboard including the Master identified as Captain Alchie G Biñan.
The Master of the vessel was advised to file a marine protest relative to the incident while the Shipowner was also advised to take an appropriate action the soonest possible time to remove LCT Golden Star 9 at the agrounding area which is currently considered a hazard to navigation and prevent a possibility of an oil spillage in the area.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte already made close coordination to Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regional Office XIII for the conduct of underwater hull inspection in order to determine the severity of the damage prior declaring that the aforementioned vessel is seaworthy to sail.
Moreover, the City Government was likewise informed regarding the incident for their appropriate action and disposition.
On the other hand, CG CDR PANGILINAN issued a Notice to Mariners directing all ships/watercrafts particularly fisherfolks transiting in the aforementioned area at night to be vigilant and take precautionary measures at all times.
(Source: CoastGuard Surigao del Norte Facebook account)