JORDAN, Guimaras – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region 6 has approved the use of four wooden-hulled motorboats for emergency cases such as medical emergencies.
The provincial government sought the agency’s approval, noting that wooden-hulled boats are no longer allowed to cross the Iloilo Strait for public safety reasons.
Now, only fiberglass- or steel-hulled boats are allowed to service the Guimaras-Iloilo City route and vice versa.
The four wooden-hulled motorboats have been carefully selected by both the provincial government of Guimaras and MARINA, said Vice Gov. John Edward Gando.
The following were considered: age of the boats, safety equipment such as lifejackets, membership in the Buenavista Motorbanca and Sailors Association, Inc. and/or Jordan Motorbanca Cooperative.
Two of the boats were designated to take the Guimaras-Iloilo City route from the Buenavista wharf to the Iloilo Ferry Terminal-Parola.
The two others, on the other hand, were designated at the Jordan wharf going to the Ortiz wharf.
On Jan. 1, MARINA grounded all wooden-hulled boats servicing the Iloilo City – Guimaras route and vice versa. Their Certificate of Public Convenience already expired and the agency has no plan to renew them.
Currently, only 10 vessels are servicing the Iloilo City-Guimaras route. These are six fiberglass motorboats, two roll on, roll off vessels and two steel-hulled boats./PN
