Panamian vessel that ran aground off Cebu town refloated

CEBU CITY — A Panamanian-registered cargo vessel that ran aground in a famous dive spot off Malapascua Island, Daanbantayan town in Cebu, was refloated past 10 a.m. on Monday after two days of slowly pulling it back to deeper waters.

Noel Kimmayong, marine superintendent from the Malayan Towage and Salvaging Corp., said that as of Monday, MV Belle Rose had been floating on waters with a depth of 100 to 200 meters.

“We were able to pull it to almost 100 meters backwards where water was deeper,” Kimmayong said.

The salvor company deployed three tugboats in pulling the vessel, which ran aground in Monad Shoal while enroute to San Fernando town, southern Cebu.

Two tugboats were at the rear of the vessel in pulling it back while another was at the other end to maintain balance.

The operations were done  Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during high tide.

Aside from pulling back the vessel, Kimmayong said they also discharged water from the forward section to lighten the vessel. The initial plan was to discharge 500 tons of water.

Kimmayong said the vessel would be inspected to check other damage before it would be towed to San Fernando.  SFM/rga