PCG detains vessel with 7 Chinese crew

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is holding a tanker off Zambales after its seven Chinese crewmembers – who initially did not respond to identification calls – failed to present required documents.

- GHIO ONG

The PCG detained the M/T Hyperline 988, which it said was “registered under the flag of Sierra Leone and anchored in the vicinity waters off San Felipe, Zambales.”

The PCG said it received a report that the vessel was flying the Philippine flag last May 15.

The vessel did not respond to communication from the PCG as “its automatic identification system (AIS) was turned off.” Its crew also did not respond to communication through handheld radio from the PCG.

Upon inspection of the vessel, authorities said they found seven Chinese nationals on board, including the ship captain, who all “failed to present original and printed versions of relevant documents, including the crew list, passports and seaman’s books.”

Sailing from their last port of call in Hong Kong on May 11, the vessel’s crew claimed they decided to dock off San Felipe in Zambales last May 15 “for a more affordable option.”

They claimed they could not afford the “high anchorage fees” at the Manila Anchorage Area, which was supposedly their next destination, the PCG said.

San Felipe, Zambales does not host any port hence it does not charge docking fees, the PCG added.