AN investigation about the boat that capsized in Corcuera, Romblon last Saturday is now underway, Area Police Command-Southern Luzon commander Lieutenant General Rhoderick C. Armamento said yesterday.

Members of the Corcuera Municipal Police Station and the Philippine Coast Guard are involved in the investigation of how and why MBCA Sto. Niño 7, a commercial boat, was reportedly damaged after being hit by huge waves while in the waters of Corcuera.

Armamento said an initial investigation showed that the vessel carrying 93 passengers and a motorcycle left the Calatrava Port around 11 a.m. Saturday with three crewmen.

With an authorized passenger capacity of 96, the boat was allowed to sail due to favorable sea and weather conditions.

However, the Coast Guard minutes later received a phone call from one of the boat passengers identified as barangay captain Jeffrey Factor informing them they were in distress and needed help.

Immediately, members of the Command Outpost Corcuera, policemen and fishermen launched a search-and-rescue operation in the area on board a motorized banca.

As a result, 98 persons composed of 84 adults and nine minors as well as the boat’s five crewmen were rescued and taken to the shoreline of Bgy. Ilijan in Corcuera municipality.

However, the Coast Guard said that a 55-year old female passenger identified as Annie Famadulan, treasurer of Bgy. Tacasan in Corcuera, suffered a cardiac arrest while the boat was on the verge of sinking and died.

During initial questioning, the boat captain claimed that the port side of the vessel was damaged after being hit by a solid wood, thus causing water to enter the boat.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon