Philippine RoRo Ferry Tilts at Real Port, 58 Rescued

A roll-on/roll-off passenger vessel arriving from Polillo Island tilted sharply to its starboard side in the early hours of October 30 while approaching Real port in Quezon province, triggering a coast guard rescue operation that brought all 58 people aboard to safety within three hours.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the vessel lurched while manoeuvring near the dock. The 40 passengers and 18 crew (including two infants) were evacuated and found in good physical condition by local disaster officials. An investigation into the cause is under way.

About 1,300 litres of marine diesel remained aboard; the coast guard deployed oil spill booms around the stricken vessel to protect the coastal community and directed the operator to obtain an Emergency Salvage Permit before refloating is attempted.

The incident is the latest in a series of maritime safety events in Philippine waters this year. The MV June Aster caught fire off Coron, Palawan in September with 134 people aboard, eventually killing 77; a subsequent probe found that a chemical cargo mix caused the blaze. Earlier this month, the Philippine Coast Guard suspended ferry services as Typhoon Rosal approached.