PCG: Probe results of ship’s country of origin to help in pursuit of claims for PH fishermen
The bodies of the three victims are brought to shore on Tuesday in Infanta, Pangasinan. —PCG PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The result of the investigation that would be conducted by the commercial ship’s country of origin could help the pursuit of claims and damages in the fatal collision in the West Philippine Sea, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.
On Monday, three crew members of FFB Dearyn were killed, while one sustained minor injuries following the collision of their boat with Pacific Anna, a crude oil tanker registered under the Marshall Islands, some 85 nautical miles (NM) northwest of Scarborough Shoal, also locally known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal or 180 NM from Agno, Pangasinan.
READ: Marshall Islands-listed oil tanker eyed in Scarborough Shoal collision – PCG
Balilo said the PCG has since requested the Marshall Islands Flag State to conduct their investigation.
“We expect with this formal request the Flag State of Marshall Islands will conduct a safety investigation,” Balilo told reporters.
“We can use the result of their investigation in pursuit of claims and damages for the boat owner, victims and survivors,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also expressed hopes that Singapore, the oil tanker’s next port of call, would cooperate with the probe.
Balilo said that Pacific Anna is already in Singapore.
“We are hoping that the Singaporean PSC (Port State Control) Authority would exercise their overriding priority to conduct inspection on MV Pacific Anna even though the said vessel is not yet due for inspection,” he said.
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