Inter-island passenger and freight shipping operations here remained normal during the last two days despite the sporadic heavy rains in the area triggered by the onslaught of super typhoon “Juan†in the northern portions of the country.
Commander Charlie Rances, Philippine Coast Guard-General Santos station chief, said Tuesday none among the scheduled arrivals and departures of passenger and cargo vessels at the Makar port here have been so far canceled or delayed as a result of the weather disturbance.
“The super typhoon is mainly centered in the northern areas so we decided that there’s no need to issue any advisory for the cancellation or delay of the regular shipping schedules. At this time, not one passenger was stranded here,†he said.
Tropical storm “Juan,†which was declared a super typhoon, caused heavy rains in the city and the neighboring areas when it entered the country’s area of responsibility before noon Monday.
The rains triggered heavy flooding in several parts of the city but no casualties or damages have been reported.
Prior to the onset of typhoon “Juan,†Rances said they advised officers and crew members of all vessels docked at the Makar port to regularly monitor the weather advisories from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and secure proper clearance before leaving the area.
For the light fishing and passenger boats, he said they advised their operators to closely monitor the intensity of the rains and the sea waves within their routes to avoid possible accidents.
Rances said among the vessels that left the port as scheduled was Aboitiz Transport System’s SuperFerry 5, which is expected to arrive in Manila on Thursday.
He said they allowed several international-bound cargo vessels to depart as scheduled as their routes were not covered by the tropical storm’s path.
The Makar wharf here, which is considered the third busiest and biggest port in Mindanao, presently serves as transshipment point for cargo vessels from Indonesia, Singapore and other neighboring international ports.
Rances said they have been subjecting all vessels plying the Makar port to routine inspection before their departure to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew.
Coast Guard personnel here have tightened their monitoring on the operations of cargo and passenger vessels as well as fishing boats plying the area due to the series of sea accidents in various parts of the country during the last three years. - PNA, source
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