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City Detains Ship Until Owner Pays for Dock Damage

Unilink
The Unilink II aground (courtesy City of Naga)

Published Jul 22, 2016 8:59 PM by The Maritime Executive

[Brief] The city of Naga on Cebu in the Philippines has held the 700 dwt general cargo ship Unilink II pending payment of damages after the ship ran aground on the site of a new marina just off the city's waterfront walkway. 

The vessel had been at anchor offshore Tuesday when winds whipped up and dragged it onto the shore, where it damaged 50 concrete pilings which had been installed for the new marina, part of a larger reconstruction project for the area. None of the 19 crew were harmed.

The mayor of Naga, Kristine Vanessa Chiong, said that owner Unilink Shipping would have to pay for damages before the vessel would be permitted to leave. She plans to meet with company representatives and with the project contractor for the marina in order to determine a figure for a settlement. 

City administrator Arthur Villamor told the Inquirer that Unilink had agreed to help make repairs to the site. 

Media reported that the ship's safety certificate has been suspended by maritime authorities pending an investigation. The owner was not immediately available to comment on salvage plans or on her condition.