ST.THOMAS OF AQUINAS

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Divers investigated ferry wreck

Almost three years after it sank, the "St. Thomas of Aquinas" remains on the bottom of the the Lauis Ledge in the waters off Talisay City. Coast Guard personnel and technical divers have examined the vessel since Apr 4, 2016. The divers used a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a compass to locate and check the positioning of the ship, which changed from its tilted starboard position to a port side position and was now positioned at a depth of about 50 meters. There were now corals and fishes inside. The dive started at 9 a.m and ended at 4 p.m. Divers entered the cargo area and they would try to enter the restaurant on Apr 5. 2GO Shipping Lines was ordered to salvage the vessel but doing so might result to the closure of the Mactan Channel. The shipping company could be compelled to remove the sunken ship if it posed a danger to navigation. He said buoys and markers were placedat the southern portion of the Mactan Channel to guide the vessels. Report with photo: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/90730/ill-fated-vessel-sinks-deeper-at-lauis-ledge#ixzz452SD6YZ3

Sinking of ferry commemorated

One year after the sinking of the "St. Thomas Aquinas" the families of those who perished in the tragedy continued to struggle with some of the 21 missing still believed to have been trapped inside the ship which sank at Lawis Ledge. 2GO Group Inc., the owner of the Ferry initiated a nine-day novena mass for the victims of the incident. The shipping company also cleaned and fixed the tombs of those laid to rest at the Carreta Cemetery. While some of the crew members who survived the incident have returned to work but the captain remained suspended. The Filipino Cave Divers planned to conduct an inspective dive to the wreck and place a wreath on the sunken vessel. The Coast Guard, however, has not approved any diving activity at the site. The ship now is resting 90 feet deep.

Discussion about need of wreck removal

The Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas District sent a letter to 2Go Group Inc. informing the latter about the possible threats the wreck of the "St. Thomas Aquinas" poses if it’s not removed. PCG 7 District received a report from 2Go on May 24 informing them that the vessel posed no danger to marine navigation and may not need to be salvaged. The underwater survey conducted by the London Offshore Consultants discovered the vessel intact and not moving. A salvage operation would be complicated and need foreign equipment. The PCG 7 replied the wreck may have little effect on sea traffic at present, but its debris may still pose a danger since the vessel has not been totally stripped. Hazardous materials and equipment from the vessel may still rise to the surface since the wreck was subject to corrosion and was vulnerable to natural disasters. The PCG 7, though, pointed out that the threat to the marine environment was considered as minimal. The vessel was too large, old and damaged to be refloated but there were other options to salvage it.