Cargo Ship Grounding Damages Coral Reefs in the Philippines

Location of Legazpi City in the central Philippines.

A Vietnamese-flagged cargo ship ran aground near the entrance of Legazpi City Port on Monday causing damage to coral reefs, the Philippines Coast Guard reports.

The 4,532 gross ton MV Ocean 03 ran aground approximately 900 yards from the entrance of Legazpi City Port as it maneuvered into Albay Gulf, the Coast Guard said in a statement released Wednesday.

Coral reefs in the vicinity were damaged in the incident, according to the statement.

The MV Ocean 03 is manned b 21 Vietnamese crew, the Coast Guard said.

The vessel was pulled from reef at about 3 p.m. local time Monday and no oil spill was reported by the Captain of the ship.

A Port State Control (PSC) inspection launched following the grounding found deficiencies relating to hull damage and safety and environment deficiencies.

“PSC also advised the master of the vessel to coordinate with its agency, Hoang Anh Shipping Joint Stock Company, to provide a surveyor from a classification society who will conduct an underwater hull inspection to determine the seaworthiness of the said vessel,” the Coast Guard said.