Its been a vicious cycle. Ships sunk, passengers dead, relatives grief stricken and the snail pace cases for justice and compensation. When I read the news about another sinking of a passenger ferry owned by the Sulpicio Lines, I was outraged.
It should be emphasized that this is no longer the 1970’s when sea travel was unpredictable because of unsafe maritime practices and smaller vessels. This is already the 21st century, where there are great strides in maritime safety and the emergence of super large vessels.
But why things like this still happen. If only the cause is excusable, then it may be easier for people to accept the deaths caused by the capsizing of the Mv Princess of the Stars. But no, from my reading, there is really fault and negligence on the part of the ship’s owners, the Sulpicio Lines Incorporated.
As early as Tuesday, June 17, 2008, PAG ASA has been announcing an incoming typhoon east of Mindanao. If the ship owners and the ships crew are sensible enough to foresee the danger lying ahead, it could not have proceeded to its tragic sail. Instead, the ship sailed on Friday! That was June 20, 2008, right smack on the day the typhoon struck the country and directly into the typhoon’s path.
Using the reason of the Coast Guard, Sulpicio Lines had the discretion to set sail considering the tonnage of the ill fated vessel, which accordingly, could withstand the waves. But if you have a responsible business sense, why risked the vessel and the lives of more than 700 souls on board? If they think about lost profits, then they could have thought how much they would lose if the vessel will meet an accident, which what actually happened. It the greed for profits that pushed the shipowners to force the issue and let the ship sail in stormy weather.
The previous tragedies of Sulpicio Lines should have given them a neat lesson in maritime. However they never learned from their mistakes and repeated them at a tragic scale. The MV Dona Paz alone, which was known as the worst sea disaster in peace time, claimed more than 4,300 lives. That alone could have shaken the management of the shipping company. Unfortunately, that disaster was followed by another in the tragedy of Princess of the Orient, which claimed 154 lives including that of Sandiganbayan Justice German Lee in 1998. You think that was the last, but no! Sulpicio Lines again with its patent recklessness and negligence added another tragic episode in our country with the sinking of what is touted as its best and largest passenger vessel.
The sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars again presumably show the company’s lack of safety precautions. We dont know how they hire and choose their ship captains. The report said the vessel had engine trouble, which means its not seaworthy. Worse, the ship ran aground, which again shows the lack of competence on the part of the ship crew and the captain for if one is really aware of the shipping lanes, they could have pinpointed which part of the Philippines seas are shallow or not. As part of their job, they should have been prepared for any eventuality and that includes familiarity, if not mastery of the sea depths in the country. Worse, the captain have no ready options in case an emergency arises. A typhoon is raging the country and here is Princess of the Stars, playing hero, proceeded to sail head on with the howler. What can you expect?
Now its too late for the owners to show remorse. If this is the first time, it can be excusable. But this is the fourth time. There is no more excuse. Its time for the axe to fall on Sulpicio Lines. Sobra na . Tama na. The patience of the riding public has tipped. Sulpicio Lines should stop its business of ferrying passengers. They are already a recidivist in sea disasters. With the rate of people who lost their lives and loved ones in their ships, they can be dubbed as the “KILLER LINE” in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Sulpicio Lines may shrug this incident off as another bad day in the office. The loss would be compensated by insurance and not too long after this tragedy, Sulpicio Lines will be able to furnish another vessel, offering its services again to the poor riding public.
Drastic measures shall be imposed on Sulpicio Lines for its dismal sea travel record or more families will suffer the same tragic fates as those who fall victims in the past.
