The Philippine Coast Guard has located the sunken ferry Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank last month near Basilan. Divers found the wreck off Baluk-Baluk Island, southeast of Zamboanga City, potentially allowing for the recovery of more human remains and insights into the cause of the ferry’s tragic capsizing. The vessel had departed Zamboanga City on January 25 for Jolo, Sulu, but capsized early on January 26, resulting in the rescue of 316 passengers and crew. The confirmed death toll has now risen to 43, with the number of survivors and recovered bodies surpassing the initial passenger manifest, suggesting the ferry may have carried unregistered passengers.
The shipowner’s operations are under scrutiny, with the possibility of losing its operating license depending on the investigation’s findings, as stated by a spokesperson for the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). Currently, the fleet is under a no-sail order and undergoing inspections. The cause of the incident remains undetermined, but preliminary accounts indicate that the vessel listed, prompting passengers to rush to one side, which led to the capsizing.
There is speculation that a failure in securing a truck in the ferry’s ro/ro bay may have contributed to the instability, though this has yet to be confirmed. Additionally, early findings from MARINA’s inquiry suggest that Trisha Kerstin 3 may have been substituted for another vessel at the last minute, with passengers reportedly unaware of this change. MARINA official Luisito delos Santos noted that ticket information indicated a different ship than the one that was deployed.
