MV Princess of the Stars

MV "Princess of the Stars" (sometimes mistakenly referred to as "Princess of Stars")"Princess of the Stars" is seen on the port side of the ship, but "Princess of Stars" is also used by its shipping company, Sulpicio Lines. See [http://www.sulpiciolines.com/vessels.php?p=str official website] (retrieved June 22, 2008).] was a ferry owned by Filipino shipping company Sulpicio Lines that capsized off the coast of San Fernando, Romblon at the height of Typhoon Fengshen on June 21, 2008. (Fengshen passed directly over Romblon as a Category 2 storm. [ [http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/w_pacific/2008/FENGSHEN/track.gifFENGSHEN track] ; 110mph msw over Romblon; Unisys Weather, WestPac Typhoons, 2008] )

Built in 1984, the 23,824-ton ferry MV "Princess of the Stars" had a total passenger capacity of 1,992 people. [ [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=122599 Abs-Cbn Interactive, Relatives of passengers of capsized ship question lack of info on their kin] ]

Disaster

The MV "Princess of the Stars", flagship of the Sulpicio Lines fleet, left the port of Manila on June 20 2008 on its way to Cebu City. The number of passengers is variously reported between 700 [cite news |first=Oliver |last=Tewes |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Many of 800 aboard Philippines ferry feared dead |url=http://ago.mobile.globeandmail.com/generated/archive/RTGAM/html/20080621/wphilippines0621.html |work= |publisher=Globe and Mail |date= |accessdate=2008-06-22 ] and 800. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Philippine ferry carrying over 800 sinking in storm: officials |url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080622/wl_asia_afp/philippinesweatherstormferry |work= |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ] The ferry sent a distress signal at midday on June 21 when its engines allegedly stalled in rough seas near Sibuyan Island. San Fernando mayor Nanette Tansingco sent a speedboat and confirmed that the ferry had a hole in the hull, was partially submerged and that several bodies had been found nearby. Later reports revealed that the hole in the hull was actually the ship's bow thruster [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=700 people aboard drifting ferry in Philippines |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200806/s2281998.htm?tab=latest |work= |publisher=Radio Australia |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ] As of June 23, four bodies were recovered by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Ferry with 700 passengers, crew sinks in storm; 4 dead - report |url=http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=200806228 |work= |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ] According to the Coast Guard, the ferry's manifest recorded 702 passengers including 50 children as well as 100 crew. The civil defense office said the ship carried 626 passengers and 121 crew members. Three Navy vessels were dispatched but one had to abort its mission due to "gigantic waves, pounding rain, and gusty winds," said Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo, spokesman of the Philippine Navy. [cite news |first=Joel |last=Guinto |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Ferry carrying over 800 sinking in storm--officials |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080622-144117/Ferry-carrying-over-800-sinking-in-storm--officials |work= |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ]

A rescue ship reached the MV "Princess of the Stars", more than 24 hours after it lost radio contact at 12:30 PST (04:30 GMT) on Saturday. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Philippines ferry hit by typhoon |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7467696.stm |work= |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ] Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Senior Grade Arman Balilo, however, lamented: "They haven't seen anyone. They're scouring the area. They're studying the direction of the waves to determine where survivors may have drifted."

Xinhua News Agency reported that 4 survivors witnessed "that the captain of the ship ordered the abandoning of the ship at noon Saturday, but many passengers did not even wear life vests when the ship capsized." Four survivors told GMA News that "the ship did not malfunction, but only slowed down its speed as it encountered big waves off the coast of Romblon." One saw many people jump, but "the waves were so big and the rains so strong that few of them could have possibly survived; the crew were so busy saving themselves that they did not care to help the passengers to wear safety vests, and that some of the passengers passed out while children and the elderly failed to wear life vests because they could no longer move when the ship was turning upside down." [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Sunken ferry abandoned at noon Saturday, say filipino survivors |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/22/content_8417847.htm |work= |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ] [cite news |first=Jim |last=Gomez |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Typhoon Fengshen kills 80 in Philippines |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_3yhnZvsE90p8kvwkFoSW99kjIgD91F0PAO0 |work= |publisher=Associated Press |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ]

Tansingco confirmed that 4 aboard died and hundreds of passengers were still missing. Dozens of people trooped to the offices of owner Sulpicio Lines in Cebu and Manila North Harbor. The victims' families accused Sulpicio Lines and the Philippine Coast Guard of allowing the ship to set sail despite the bad weather. They further blamed Sulpicio for not personally informing them about the tragedy, the details of the accident, and the condition of the ship plus its passengers. Sulpicio Lines's counsel stated that "the ship never received advice from Coast Guard, while Metro Manila was still under public storm signal No. 1 when the ship left the port." Furthermore, BBC quoted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as saying, "Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers." [cite news |first=Joel |last=Guinto |authorlink= |coauthors=Veronica Uy |title=‘Frank’ leaves at least 86 dead, 700 missing |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080622-144136/Frank-leaves-at-least-86-dead-700-missing |work= |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-22 ]

Sulpicio admitted that 860 were on board as the ferry capsized: "There were 751 manifested passengers and 111 crew members on board the capsized vessel." The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) suspended all sea travel operations of the Sulpicio. Sulpicio lines released the names of 32 survivors with the complete passenger manifest and crew list uploaded on their website [http://www.sulpiciolines.com/] . [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102750/Sulpicio-Lines-releases-passenger-manifest-list-of-survivors GMA NEWS.TV, Sulpicio Lines releases passenger manifest, list of survivors] ] [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/23/content_8424412.htm xinhuanet, Over 860 on board as Philippine ferry capsized] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL2271488720080623 Reuters, UPDATE 4-Rescuers search for Philippine ferry survivors] ]

A week after the ferry disaster, more than 100 passengers have been confirmed dead, with 500 still missing. The ship is also carrying the pesticide, endosulfan. Some 60+ passengersclarifyme|date-July 2008 were found within the first weekclarifyme|date=July 2008fact|date=July 2008.

Survivors and recovered bodies

Meanwhile, Claveria, Masbate Mayor Eduardo Andueza reported 350 corpses recovered while 40 people were rescued off the coast of Burias Island, Masbate on Monday. The bodies however could not have only come from the MV Princess of the Stars but also from other vessels that capsized. Some of the 40 survivors said they came from cargo vessel MV Lake Paway, which departed from Mindanao but later sank at sea. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102784/35-bodies-recovered-40-rescued-off-Barias-Masbate---mayor gmanews.tv, 35 bodies recovered, 40 rescued off Barias, Masbate - mayor] ]

Twenty five survivors from the ferry were transported from Quezon province to the headquarters of the Philippine National Red Cross in Intramuros, Manila. Senator and Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon stated that the survivors were given food, clothing and medical assistance. A Red Cross official also reported that some went home to their families in Manila. [cite news |first=Abigail |last=Kwok |authorlink= |coauthors= |first=Veronica |last=Uy |authorlink=|title=‘We are needed here’ -- Gordon|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080624-144489/We-are-needed-here----Sen. Gordon |work= |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-06-24 |accessdate=2008-06-24 ]

The Philippine Coast Guard on June 24, 2008 reported that it accounted for only 115 (48 survivors confirmed, 67 others confirmed dead, 747 missing) of the 862 passengers and crew of the MV Princess of the Stars. Divers, however said that 15 bodies were found inside the ship's dining area and 2 others in the bridge. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102987/Coast-Guard-48-survivors-67-fatalities-confirmed-so-far-in-sea-mishap gmanews.tv/story, Coast Guard: 48 survivors, 67 fatalities confirmed so far in sea mishap] ]

Philippines Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said the ship's interior was too dark: "Most of the bodies were floating inside. They were trapped when the seven-story ship suddenly tilted and capsized. The reports we're getting are that many bodies have been found." [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080624/ap_on_re_as/philippines_typhoon yahoo.com, Only bodies under toppled ferry in Philippines] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSMAN124455 reuters.com, Divers find bodies in sunken Philippine ferry] ]

Navy divers and rescuers found bodies, wearing life jackets, trapped in air pockets, but no survivors inside the wreck when they entered the upturned hulk of the ferry. The corpses turned white, floating head up inside the mass grave below the waves. A helicopter from U.S. military ship, the USNS Stockham, found 12 corpses floating near Masbate island, but it was not clear if they were from the Princess of the Stars. Sulpicio lines said "it would pay families of the dead 200,000 pesos ($4,500) each and also give survivors financial assistance." VP Noli de Castro presided over the first meeting of the newly created "Task Force Princess Stars." [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/24/philippines?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront guardian.co.uk, No survivors found in stricken Philippines ferry] ] [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/home/24694/VP-Noli-presides-meeting-of-Task-Force-Princess-Stars gmanews.tv/largevideo, VP Noli presides meeting of Task Force Princess Stars, 06/24/2008] ]

On June 27, 2008 recovery efforts were ceased due to the discovery that 10,000 kilos of the dangerous pesticide endosulfan were on board. The government is considering filing charges as it is illegal to transport dangerous goods on passenger vessels in the Philippines. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/06/27/philippines-ship.html Deadly pesticide on board sunken Philippines ferry: official] - June 27, 2008. Retrieved same day.]

Investigation

BMI final report

The 5-member Philippines Board of Marine Inquiry, in its 65-page report dated August 25, 2008 (submitted to the Maritime Industry Authority or Marina), found Sulpicio Lines and its captain liable for the MV Princess of the Stars June 21 maritime tragedy. The BMI recommended that Marina “consider the suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of Sulpicio Lines in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations (and its criminal liability for the sinking." The final report blamed human error, and ruled that the ship's missing and presumed dead captain, Florencio Marimon, "miscalculated" the risk of continuing the trip to Cebu while the storm raged: "There was a failure of the master to exercise extraordinary diligence and good seamanship thereby committing an error of judgment.The immediate cause of the capsizing of MV Princess of the Stars was the failure of the Master to exercise extraordinary diligence and good seamanship thereby committing an error of judgment that brought MV Princess of the Stars in harm's way into the eye of Typhoon Fengshen (Frank). It is found negligent for its failure to exercise its duty in ensuring that they transport passengers and cargo safely to (their) destination.”

Sulpicio said 52 survived the tragedy and 312 bodies were recovered of 825 passengers listed. The rest were declared missing and presumed dead. Sulpicio may appeal within 30 days, the Board's recommendation to the Maritime Industry Authority (Philippines) and the Department of Transportation. Meanwhile, cargoes of 5 toxic pesticides and other poisonous substances are still on board the ferry and will be refloated on September. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j4iXf1A25QEfFtGkgE_Z1nEse8yw afp.google.com, Probe blames captain, company for Philippines ferry disaster] ] [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/27/2348363.htm?section=justin www.abc.net.au/news, Human error to blame in Philippines ferry disaster: inquiry] ] [ [http://www.manila-shimbun.com/category/english/news180172.html manila-shimbun.com, Panel blames ship captain, Sulpicio Linees officials for ferry sinking] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSMAN22254620080827 reuters.com/article, PRESS DIGEST - Philippine newspapers - August 27] ] [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/116375/Sulpicio-bucks-BMI-findings-on-Princess-tragedy gmanews.tv/story, Sulpicio bucks BMI findings on ‘Princess’ tragedy] ] Sulpicio Lines, the 2nd largest cargo carrier in the Philippines, accounts for 40% of all cargo movement across the country. [ [http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20080827-157097/License-for-suspension globalnation.inquirer.net, ‘License for suspension’] ]

International response

The United States responded by donating US$90,000 (about 4 million Philippine pesos) and sent the USNS "GYSGT Fred W. Stockham" and a P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft to contrubute to the rescue. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102751/NDCC-tally-98-dead-115-missing-66-hurt GMA NEWS.TV, NDCC tally: 98 dead, 115 missing, 66 hurt] ]

During a one-on-one meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, the United States extended its condolences to the people of the Philippines through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and pledged that more assistance will be given including the deployment of the U.S. Naval carrier group USS Ronald Reagan to assist in any rescue or retrieval operations. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/103093/US-ship-coming-to-help-retrieve-victims-of-sea-tragedy GMA NEWS.TV, US ship coming to help retrieve victims of sea tragedy] ]

External links

* [http://www.sulpiciolines.com/ official website of Sulpicio Lines]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7468565.stm news.bbc.co.uk, In pictures: Philippine ferry tragedy]
* [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102649/Some-of-the-deadliest-maritime-disasters-in-the-Philippines gmanews.tv, Some of the deadliest maritime disasters in the Philippines, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]
* [http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/tag/princess-of-stars/ Incident Blog Coverage By Professional Mariners]
* [http://media.inquirer.net/inquirer/media/sulpicio-survivors-0623.pdf Inquirer.net, Latest Sulpicio Lines list of ferry sinking survivors]
* [http://www.dpinoyweb.com/2008/06/23/62-survivors-of-mv-princess-of-the-stars-found dPinoyWeb.com, 62 survivors of M/V Princess of the Stars found]
* [http://coordination-maree-noire.eu/spip.php?rubrique532 news of a disaster]
* [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=122748 abs-cbnnews.com, The world’s 10 worst maritime disasters—in the last 20 years]

Videos

* [http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/bernardo-2phil-ship080623.mov, Hundreds feared dead after ferry capsizes off Philippines, CBC News]
* [http://www.gmanews.tv/video/24567/Coast-Guard-nears-site-where-'MV-Princess-of-Stars'-capsized Coast Guard nears site where 'MV Princess of Stars' capsized, GMANews.TV ]
* [http://www.gmanews.tv/video/24566/4-bodies-recovered-survivors-found-from-sunken-ship Four bodies recovered, found from sunken ship, GMANews.TV]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/mcauliffe-ferry080624.mov, No living survivors found inside capsized Philippines ferry, CBC News]

Notes and references

Related disasters

* MV Doña Paz sank in 1987 with at least 4,341 people killed.