A Philippine Navy (PN) patrol craft rescued 21 fishermen after their boat was rammed by an oil tanker loaded with jet fuel at the mouth of Manila Bay on Tuesday.
Manila Bay is not only a busy sealane for commercial and other ocean-going vessels docking and sailing out of Manila, but also teeming daily with fishing boats.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Rommel Rodriguez, deputy spokesman of the Philippine Fleet, said the multi-purpose assault craft (MPAC) was patrolling Manila Bay early morning on Tuesday when it spotted the already crippled M/B Lala Boom.
Rodriguez said the ill-fated fishing boat’s right outrigger was heavily damaged after it was rammed by a Pasig River-bound oil tanker M/T Pullilan, 4.5 nautical miles from Manila’s South Harbor.
At the time of the mishap, M/T Pullilan was loaded with jet fuel for delivery to the Pandacan fuel depot.
Prior to the accident, the skipper of the M/B Lala Boom reportedly attempted to cross the tanker’s bow, a long time tradition being practiced by Manila Bay fishermen based on a belief that by doing so, they would have an abundant catch.
Both vessels were towed to the Manila International Container Terminal in North Harbor, Manila.
Rear Admiral Orwen Cortez, Philippine Fleet commander, urged fishermen in Manila Bay to refrain from such old practice of crossing another vessel’s bow saying that this tradition poses great danger.
2012. Philstar