18-5-2024 (MANILA) The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has detained a tanker near Zambales after its seven Chinese crew members failed to present necessary documentation and initially did not respond to identification requests.
The vessel in question, M/T Hyperline 988, is registered under the flag of Sierra Leone and was found anchored off San Felipe, Zambales. The PCG received a report on May 15 indicating that the ship was flying the Philippine flag. Upon investigation, the crew of the tanker did not respond to communications from the PCG, as its automatic identification system (AIS) was switched off, and they also ignored handheld radio calls.
During an inspection, authorities discovered that the seven Chinese nationals aboard, including the ship’s captain, were unable to produce original and printed versions of essential documents such as the crew list, passports, and seaman’s books. The crew reported that they had departed Hong Kong on May 11 and chose to anchor off San Felipe on May 15 to avoid high anchorage fees at the Manila Anchorage Area, which was their intended next stop.
The PCG clarified that San Felipe does not have any port facilities, thus incurring no docking fees. A canine unit from the PCG found no illegal drugs aboard the tanker. However, the PCG identified 21 deficiencies on the vessel, details of which were not disclosed.
