Talks are ongoing to salvage a Hong Kong-controlled general cargo vessel that has been stuck on a Philippines beach since February.
The captain of the 8,600-dwt Sunny Link (built 1995) chose to ground the ship at Abagatanen due to hull damage as it carried steel plates from Indonesia to China, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
The local government unit in the region has declared the stranded vessel a “public nuisance”, the Philippine News Agency reported.
The unit has also passed a resolution ordering the shipowner to deal with “liabilities” for any damage caused by the grounding.
The vessel is listed as operated by Hong Kong Top Honor Shipping, which could not be contacted.
The coastguard station chief for Pangasinan, commander Mark Theodore Valencia, told the news agency that negotiations between the shipping company and the town were continuing.
The municipal council has also passed a resolution ordering the detention of the Sunny Link.
“Its grounding compromised the livelihood of ... residents due to the unexpected decline in the arrival of local and foreign tourists during its unloading of heavy steel slabs for reasons of safety,” the resolution stated.
Valencia said the shipowner’s representative has communicated with the town, while the coastguard awaits the outcome of the negotiations.
He said the coastguard would monitor the vessel and ensure residents’ and tourists’ safety while it remains aground.
Valencia said the vessel beached on 4 February.
Crew and cargo removed
The crew members and the cargo were taken off.
No pollution has been reported and steps have been taken to ensure no coral is damaged.
Tourist Nhaowie Vivora told PNA that the presence of the ship had affected the family’s stay at the beach.
The Sunny Link has not been detained following a port state control inspection since 2013.
