MARINA Cancels Sulpicio Lines’ License to Transport Passengers

(PNA) — Almost seven years after the sinking of “M/V Princess of the Stars”, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) cancels Sulpicio Lines, Inc.’s authority to carry passengers across the sea.

In a 50-page ruling in the administrative case against Sulpicio Lines, now called Span Asia Carrier, MARINA cancelled the “Certificate of Public Convenience” it granted to the firm on May 16, 2005, which was supposed to be effective for 25 years to carry passengers.

Because of this, the “Certificate of Public Convenience” of the ships of Span Asia Carrier will be limited to only “cargo operation”.

MARINA also slapped Span Asia Carrier a fine of only Php 800 for traveling with endosulfan, a kind of corrosive substance, marine pollutant and delicate cargo, without a “special permit” on the day when the accident happened.

But MARINA also ordered the review of Memorandum Circular No. 120, Series of 1997, which was used as basis in the imposition of Php 800 fine against Span Asia Carrier, since such amount was not sufficient to cover for the damage suffered.

On the same ruling, MARINA dismissed the complaint against the officials and crew members of “M/V Princess of the Stars” for lack of evidence.

MARINA did not give weight to the defense of Span Asia Carrier that the alleged inaccurate “forecast” by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) contributed to the list of causes of the sinking of their ship on June 21, 2008.

According to MARINA, when PAGASA issued an update about the movement and exit of Typhoon “Frank” on June 20, 2008 at 11 p.m., “M/V Princess of the Stars” was still in Batangas waters and that there was still time to take “shelter”, but it did not do it and instead, it still continued with the sea voyage.

The administrative case against Span Asia Carrier was litigated by MARINA prosecutors and the trial was conducted by a panel of hearing officers.

It can be recalled that out of 851 passengers and crew members of “M/V Princess of the Stars”, only 32 of them survived the sea mishap. (PNA) RMA/PTR/EDS