Night-time trips of Boracay pump boats suspended

By: Francis Allan L. Angelo

BORACAY Island – The ripple effect of the Iloilo Strait tragedy has reached this island resort.

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) on Aug 28, 2019 suspended the night-time trips of motor boats plying the Caticlan-Boracay line in Malay, Aklan.

In a memorandum, Marina cited its Guidelines for the Operations of Bancas issued on Aug 14, 2019 as basis for the suspension, which is aimed at securing the safety of passengers.

Starting Wednesday, motor bancas are only allowed to ferry passengers from sunrise to sunset only.

The Coast Guard in Malay, Aklan implemented the Marina order.

According to the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multipurpose Cooperative, the suspension affected more than 20 motor bancas that secured night navigation licenses which allows them to operate until 10 p.m.

Passengers who want to cross to the island will have to board 8 fiber glass-hulled fast crafts. Four more units of the same sea vessels will start operations next week.

From Caticlan jetty port, passengers can either disembark at Tabon or Tambisaan ports in Boracay. Travel time lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

The suspension of night time trips of motor bancas (wooden-hulled vessels with outriggers) began after the Iloilo Strait tragedy on Aug 3 where three pump boats capsized and claimed 31 lives. (With reports from radyotodoph)