Deadly Collision: Two Ships Crash Off Corregidor Island, Leaving Two Dead and Three Missing

A collision between two foreign ships off Corregidor Island on Friday night has resulted in the deaths of two people, while three are still missing. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has identified the two ships involved in the collision as the MT Petite Soeur, a Marshall-flagged chemical/oil product tanker, and the MV Hong Hai 189, a Sierra Leone-flagged dredger, which capsized following the collision. The incident occurred at around 10 p.m.

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The Hong Hai 189 was about to dock when the Petite Soeur changed its berth, hitting the starboard stern of the dredger, and causing a hole that led to its capsizing. The tanker was also damaged. A Filipino safety officer died while receiving treatment at the Bataan General Hospital for injuries, while the body of the Chinese crewmember was recovered by the search and rescue team on Saturday. The deceased's identities have not yet been made public.

The SAR team rescued two more crewmembers who were brought to the nearest hospital for identification and medical assistance. A rescue vessel in the area rescued 16 crew of the MV Hong Hai 189, while those from the MT Petite Soeur were safe. The Coast Guard Aviation Force is currently conducting an aerial survey to aid SAR operations and find the missing crewmembers, while the PCG vessel, BRP Capones, proceeded to the area of the accident to assist. Another PCG vessel with aluminum and rubber boats has been dispatched.

The MV Hong Hai 189 was traveling from Botolan in Zambales with 20 crewmembers on board before the incident, while the last port of call of the MT Petite Soeur was in Mariveles, Bataan. Port state control inspections are being carried out by the authorities, and the tanker has been temporarily detained for safety reasons and to conduct a maritime casualty investigation, as initial investigations showed safety violations. If negligence is found on both sides, appropriate charges will be filed, and the ships will have to stay.

A salvage vessel has been contacted to tow the Hong Hai 189, which is currently stuck at the Traffic Separation Scheme, and prevent it from sinking. Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, the PCG spokesman, said the Coast Guard Aviation Force is currently conducting an aerial survey to augment the SAR operations on the search for three missing crewmembers while the PCG vessel, BRP Capones, proceeded to the vicinity of the mishap to help.

Cornelio said they have contacted a salvage vessel that will tow the Hong Hai 189, "which is currently stuck at the Traffic Separation Scheme," adding they will try to remove the ship and prevent it from sinking.

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Originally written by:  Franco Jose C. Baroña,Dennis Abrina,Ernie Esconde 

Ship collision leaves 2 dead, 3 missing (msn.com) (Manila Timnes)