100 saved, 2 dead from sunken ferry carrying '84' people in Philippines. SAR ongoing

[zwiebel]

A passenger ferry has sunk off the Philippines and over 100 people have already been rescued, despite the captain telling authorities only 84 were on board. Two bodies have also been found.

'Coast guard Capt. Joseph Coyme said search and rescue efforts by air and sea would continue because it was uncertain how many passengers and crewmembers were on the M/V Maharlika II. The domestic ferry sank late Saturday after listing and being lashed by strong wind and waves whipped up by a storm north of the ferry's path.'

The Maharlika had left Surigao City after being cleared to do so by authorities there but the captain sent out a distress signal after the steering mechanism failed and the vessel was battered by heavy seas. Passengers also used their cell phones to call for help.

http://abc7.com/news/about-100-rescued-from-sunken-philippine-ferry/307784/

 

[zwiebel]

I can't post it here as it's Flickr with all rights reserved, but it is worth taking a look at the condition of the ferry from all the photos someone has uploaded when it was being repaired last year. Also worth reading the comments....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29421855@N07/5795272632/

 

[zwiebel]

Initially authorities were told there were only 70 people onboard!

If it turns out someone has deliberately understated the number of passengers because the ferry was overloaded, I hope there can be a full investigation.

'There were 58 passengers on the ferry, the MV Maharlika 2, the Philippine Star said in a Facebook post. Citing the government of the Philippines as its source, Agence France-Presse tweeted that 70 people were missing following the accident:'

http://www.ibtimes.com/philippines-...rlika-2-sinks-southern-leyte-province-1687964

 

[zwiebel]

Mmmm, see comments. Were there storm warnings, I wonder? I don't know where to find shipping weather warnings for the Philippines.

https://www.facebook.com/ThePhilippineSTAR/posts/359291100891244