By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – A cement factory worker died while a seafarer was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) when a cargo ship capsized at the APO Cement Port in Naga City, Cebu Wednesday.
In a belated report on Friday, the PCG District Central Visayas (CGDCV) said MV Theresa I was loading cargo at the port’s Berth 1 when it listed — when a ship leans or tilts to one side — during de-ballasting that resulted in the vessel capsizing.
De-ballasting is a marine operation where water is discharged from a vessel’s ballast tanks, usually done while cargo loading.
“Responders confirmed that one engine crew member was trapped inside the engine room,” the CGDCV said.
The seaman was trapped inside the vessel for around three hours before PCG personnel were able to extract and give him medical attention.
All 19 crew members on board MV Theresa I were accounted for and safely evacuated.
However, a cement handler outside the ship was struck by a mooring line that snapped during the capsizing.
“The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the CGDCV deployed 100 meters of oil spill boom around the capsized vessel to prevent potential oil pollution in addition to continuous monitoring.
Aside from the PCG, responders from the Naga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Apo Cement responded quickly and assisted in the rescue operations. (PNA)
