Extreme weather leads to ferry sinking in the Philippines just days after bulker capsize

Severe weather conditions during the Northeast Monsoon season in seas off the Philippines have led to the sinking of a domestic inter-island ferry carrying over 350 passengers in the early hours of this morning, with more than 40 persons either dead or still missing, reports the BBC.

This follows the tragic capsize of a bulker last Friday, resulting in the deaths of two Filipino seafarers with a further four missing, where a combination of cargo liquefaction and heavy weather is the suspected cause.

The Singapore-flagged 52,000 dwt dry bulk vessel ‘Devon Bay’, carrying a cargo of nickel ore, capsized in waters near China's Huangyan Dao while on route from Zamboanga in the Philippines to Yangjiang, China in the early hours of January 23.

The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) dispatched two vessels to and manged to rescue 17 of the 21 crew members, two of whom sadly later died. Four crew members remain missing, with Search and Rescue (SAR) operations having continued over the weekend.

The rescued seafarers and bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which has issued a statement thanking the CCS for its rescue efforts in the South China Sea area of disputed ownership.

The 2013-built Devon Bay belonged to “K” Line Pte Ltd (KLPL), a Singapore-based subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE). KLPL extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, as well as its gratitude to the Chinese and Philippine Coast Guards, the co-ordinating rescue centres, and all assisting vessels and crew - including vessels from the Group’s fleet that responded in support of the search and rescue efforts.

Flag authority MPA of Singapore says that it is in contact with the ship owner and relevant SAR authorities to provide support as required, and in due course will be investigating the accident.

 Nickel ore fines are known to be an extremely high-risk maritime cargo since due to their high clay content, water ingress leads to the creation of a heavy slurry that can cause vessel stability problems in rough seas. The Northeast Monsoon season had created particularly severe weather conditions in the area in the run-up to the incident, according to meteorological services, and the PCG said it had received a distress call prior the capsize saying the vessel was already listing by 25 degrees.

The increased dangers posed to shipping by extreme weather is the cover story of the latest issue of SMI magazine, available to read on this website.