Marina tightens watch on unsafe vessels this Holy Week

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has conducted a two-week inspection of passenger and cargo ships in various ports nationwide to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of sea travelers this Holy Week.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

In a statement, the Marina said that it conducted an intensified compliance monitoring (ICM) drive from April 1 to 12, during which time it inspected 113 passenger ships.

The two-week inspection was aimed at verifying the seaworthiness and regulatory compliance of vessels ahead of one of the busiest travel seasons in the country.

Of the vessels inspected, 10 or 8.85 percent were suspended due to safety-related deficiencies, the Marina said. However, six of the grounded vessels were cleared to resume operations after completing corrective actions and passing a re-inspection, the agency noted.