Ship Crew Detained, Vessel Grounds on Marine Sanctuary
18 Vietnamese crewmen have been detained by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after their ship ran aground in a marine sanctuary in the central Philippines.
The Panama-registered M/V Unicorn Lodger was transporting cargo from Malaysia to Japan last week when it ran aground at the Sambawan Island marine sanctuary [pictured above] after it tried to avoid small fishing vessels in the area. The double-hulled vessel’s bow was damaged from the grounding, but it managed to remove itself and anchored in the nearby port of Naval.
The ship’s crew, including its captain, has been detained aboard the ship and will be allowed to leave once the Taiwanese owner of the vessel pays fines for the damage on the marine sanctuary. The ship, which has now been declared unseaworthy, will then be permitted to navigate to the nearest ship repair facility.
Local authorities have calculated a fine of USD$21, 325.
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The PCG also confirmed the vessel’s documents were in order and that there weren’t any contraband products hidden on the ship after recent incidents in area.
The Philippines has numerous uncharted islets.