MASBATE CITY --- At least 42 people had been confirmed dead as of yesterday (Nov. 5) after a packed ferry boat capsized Tuesday (Nov. 4) while being buffeted by sudden monsoon winds and waves.

        Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sodusta, Bicol regional army commander, reported 98 people were rescued and taken to two hospitals for treatment. Of the recovered bodies, 11 were children. Still, 9 other passengers were reported missing.

        A report by the Associated Press said the manifest of the M/L Don Dexter Cathlyn listed 119 passengers and a crew of six on board, though ferries frequently carry more people than are officially listed.

        “We brought the dead to the plaza,” said police senior inspector Arturo Estopare, police chief of Dimasalang town, about 3 miles from the accident site. The bodies were lined up and covered, with wailing people checking them for missing loved ones, the Associated Press report said.

        Survivors were rushed to the St. Joseph Medical Hospital in Dimasalang town for medical treatment. Majority of them were already sent home after they were treated with minor injuries.

        The Bureau of Marine Inquiry (BMI) will look into possible violation of sea safety and worthiness by the operator of the sea vessel like, for instance, overloading, absence of lifejackets and the non-securing of clearance to navigate from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

        Masbate Coast Guard chief Pabico told reporters that the M/B Don Dexter Cathlyn failed to secure clearance from his office before cruising the waters off Dimasalang going to Bulan port in Sorsogon province. “The boat captain did not secure clearance from our office nor did they tender a passengers’ manifest.” Pabico said.

        He admitted that there was no coast guard office in Dimasalang town because their district office is located in Cataingan town some 30-kilometers away from said area.  

        Raffy Alejandro, OCD regional director said the BMI would investigate why 149 passengers were recovered as against the 119 names of passengers listed in the manifest.  Records from authorities indicate that the vessel is only allowed to carry a maximum 100 passengers as authorized by the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.

        Interviewed by DZBB, Masbate provincial police chief Reuben Sindac said that the ferry began sailing in relatively clear weather. However, it was battered shortly after leaving port in central Masbate island for Bulan, Sorsogon.

        Reports said huge waves and strong monsoon winds suddenly hit the boat, causing it to overturn and tossing passengers into the sea.

        “There was some kind of whirlwind,” Sindac said. “There was no rain, no typhoon; the waters were calm when it happened.

        It was also reported that the ill-fated ferry was not passenger-friendly. “There were high railings and tarpaulin on the side so when the vessel overturned, these may have helped to trap the passengers,” Sindac told the Manila-based radio station.

        Authorities are checking on the registration records and ownership of the sea vessel as it appeared that the vessel has two alleged owners:  one Amiel Tamayo and a certain Edward Yap both from Dimasalang, Masbate.

        However, records from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Bicol indicated that indeed, the MV Don Dexter, a motorized wooden hull passenger boat is owned by Tamayo.

        The MV Don Dexter, mastered by boat Captain Dante Bombales sailed the Dimasalang port at about 2:00PM Tuesday bound for Bulan, Sorsogon, with149 passengers from said town.

        Bombales in his ship declaration of protest said they were cruising the waters off Magcaragit, Dimasalang on a very calm sea and sunny afternoon when upon reaching the seawaters off the Island of Magcaragit big waves spawned by a tornado hit the right side of the sea vessel causing passengers to panic.

        He said despite efforts to calm them, the passengers transferred to the left side of the boat causing the vessel to lift on that side and eventually overturned, trapping the passengers inside.  

        Records reveal that the boat was insured with the Philippine Insurance Corp. in the amount of P21.2 million covering the insurance benefits of 100 paying passengers and six crew in case of accidental death and dismemberment.