Passengers Stranded in Philippine Ports

By Aiswarya Lakshmi January 27, 2016

Hundreds of boat passengers bound for Leyte, Bohol and other parts of the Visayas got stranded in the different ports of Cebu as the Cebu Coast Guard barred small vessels from traveling, say local media.

This is due to a gale warning raised by the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in the Visayas. The authority has issues the order to disallow vessels weighing 250 gross tons or lower not to sail.

Pagasa – Mactan Chief Alfredo Quiblat Jr. said intermittent rains will continue to take place as he urged the public to stay indoors.

According to a report in Cebu Daily News, Commander Agapito Bibat of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cebu Station said 29 passenger vessels, 42 rolling cargo vessels and nine motor bancas were not allowed to sail.

“These vessels that were not allowed to sail were below 250 gross tons because of the wave height that can reach from 3.4 to 4.5 meters,” Bibat said. Bibat said 31 IEC delegates from New York were scheduled to depart the Punta Engaño Hilton Wharf at 11 a.m. Tuesday.