Seized cargo vessel sinks in Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines – A cargo vessel seized for arms smuggling in 2009 sank off the breakwaters in Manila Bay on Sunday, July 17. 

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said that the Panama-registered M/V Captain Ufuk capsized at 10:30 am. 

The crew members, according to Balilo, abandoned the cargo vessel on Saturday night, July 16, when water started to flood the ship.

“They tried to remove the water, but they were not successful,” he said.

One of the ship’s crew attributed the incident to broken pipes, causing it to sink.

“The ship’s crew reported that there were likely some busted pipes which enabled the water to enter,” Balilo narrated. 

No trace of oil leak has been found, according to an initial investigation conducted by the PCG.

M/V Captain Ufuk, which has been anchored in Manila Bay under the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), was first seized in Bataan in 2009. Strong waves caused by a tropical storm pushed the ship close to the seawall in Roxas Boulevard.

According to the Coast Guard, they are now in talks with the BOC after concluding that the ship poses a threat to sea navigation.

“It didn’t serve as danger to other vessels because there were people manning the ship,” Balilo explained. “It only serves as a danger now because of its state.” – Rappler.com