MARINA: Additional vessels needed to serve Zamboanga-Basilan routes

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=950048
• Thursday, December 29, 2016

(PNA), NYP/TPGJR/RGAAG/

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The management of shipping firms here had been advised to add the number of Zamboanga-Basilan and vice-versa trips to cope with the increasing volume of passengers brought about by the yuletide season.

Lawyer Irving Saipudin, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) regional director, on Wednesday said that an additional of four vessels are needed to ply the Zamboanga-Isabela and Zamboanga-Lamitan routes to better serve the public.

There are five ships, including a fast craft ferry and three Roll-on, Roll-off (Roro) vessels, owned by two shipping firms that are servicing the two routes at present.

Three of the five vessels ply the Zamboanga-Isabela and vice-versa route while the remaining two serve the Zamboanga-Lamitan and vice-versa.

The coastguard on Sunday (December 18) has denied departure clearance to one of the three Roro vessels due to loading of passengers beyond its capacity.

The vessel’s capacity is 900 passengers.

“There is a need for additional vessels,” Saipudin said citing there is an increase in the number of passengers traveling from and to this city from Basilan province.

He said that talks are ongoing with shipping firm owners from other regions to temporarily ply the Zamboanga-Basilan routes.

He said his office would issue special trip permits once they agree to temporarily serve the two routes from this city to Basilan province.

MARINA, meanwhile, has opened a passenger assistance desk at the local port to assist passengers traveling this Yuletide Seasons.

Saipudin said there are complaints from passengers that they were denied to board the vessel despite they were issued traveling tickets.

Saipudin also advised passengers to be at the port at least two hours before their scheduled departure.