On February 11, Philippine authorities revealed that the ferry Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off the coast of southwestern Mindanao on January 26, may have been overloaded, contributing to the tragedy that resulted in at least 52 fatalities. Investigations indicated that the crew failed to provide any warnings to passengers as the vessel began to list. The triple-decker ferry was owned by Aleson Shipping Lines, the same company linked to a previous ferry fire in 2023 that claimed 31 lives.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced administrative charges against Aleson Shipping, citing multiple safety violations, including the lack of mandatory vehicle weighing before boarding. He noted that overcapacity could have led to cargo shifting within the vessel, exacerbating the situation. Furthermore, an investigator confirmed that no alarms or public announcements were made during the emergency, leaving passengers unaware of the impending disaster.
The incident has sparked concerns about corruption within the coast guard and maritime authorities responsible for vessel safety. The Philippines has a troubling history of maritime disasters, with many citizens relying on poorly regulated ferries for inter-island travel. Dr. Neil Baird, a ferry safety expert, criticized Aleson Shipping’s record, emphasizing that negligence is often the root cause of such tragedies. Survivors, including attorney Aquino Sajili, are calling for the complete revocation of Aleson Shipping’s license as a form of justice.
