Fastcraft Owner to Pay Treatment of 21 Injured Passengers, Crew

2GO, owner of a fastcraft from Bohol which rammed the pier as it was about to dock in Pier 1 in Cebu City Tuesday morning, has promised to shoulder the treatment of the injured 18 passengers and three crew.

In a statement, 2GO management through its vice president for operations and spokesman Lito Salvio stressed that they will shoulder the medical expenses of those injured.

Salvio said 2GO’s SuperCat vessel St. Sealthiel experienced maneuvering control malfunction at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday at Cebu Pier 1, causing it to ram the berthing area.

He said 18 passengers sustained minor injuries and were immediately brought to the nearest hospital in Cebu City.

”Most of them were already released and 4 remained for further check-up. 2GO will shoulder all needed medical expenses and treatment. All other 106 passengers and crew were safely disembarked,” the statement read.

Salvio further assured the riding public that their vessels undergo regular maintenance check up.

“Fastcrafts are maintained daily by our night maintenance crew and follows regular preventive maintenance procedures of the manufacturer,” Salvio said.

Local officials said the injured passengers were mostly those who stood up despite instructions to remain seated as the vessel was maneuvering to dock, minutes before the supposed arrival at Pier 1 in Cebu City from the Tagbilaran City port.

“He said most passengers already stood up even if the fastcraft had not come to a full stop. So when the steering problem occurred, they hit each other and fell on their heads,” Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said. (PNA) FPV/EB