14 hurt in vessel mishap

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Thirteen passengers and a crew member of Ocean Jet 12 were injured after it rammed into a portion of the pier of Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) port here Monday afternoon.

Lieutenant Rockcliff Buling, head of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Bacolod, said the vessel was about to dock at Bredco port past 5 p.m. when it encountered mechanical problem.

The vessel was loaded with 147 passengers from Iloilo City to Bacolod City when it happened.

The injured passengers and crewmember sustained minor bruises, were rushed to a hospital, and were later discharged.

Buling said the company already extended medical assistance to the wounded victims.

Due to the incident, the vessel was suspended and subjected for inspection, Buling said.

The company will also have to file a marine protest to rectify the problem and to prevent the same incident.

Two similar incidents happened with Ocean Jet in the past two years.