BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – A little over five months after it sank in the Iloilo Strait between this city and the island province of Guimaras, M/V Sportivo remains underwater.
Rough sea conditions slow down efforts to remove it, explained Task Force M/V Sportivo spokesperson Raymond Moderes of the Guimaras provincial government.
Despite this, the salvage company hired by vessel owner Seen Sam Shipping Inc. has already finished cutting or chopping major parts of the sunken vessel, said Moderes.
These were supposed to have been pulled out of the strait last week yet, said Moderes, but the sea conditions were bad.
Salvage operations resume this week or next week depending on the weather.
The provincial government of Guimaras wanted the work hastened but it is also cognizant of the sea conditions, Moderes stressed.
M/V Sportivo sank January this year after hitting another cargo ship.
The sinking caused an oil spill that affected the livelihood of Guimaras fishermen./PN
