PH Coast Guard completes cabin search on fire-damaged ferry in Palawan

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has completed its search of the passenger cabins and crew areas aboard the fire-gutted MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan.

The PCG has also directed the vessel's operator to engage a salvor for further recovery operations.

In a statement on Monday, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said response teams have fully accessed and searched the bridge, crew accommodation, economy passenger accommodation and air-conditioned passenger accommodation areas of the vessel.

"These areas have been 100 percent penetrated by our response teams. A secondary sweep will be conducted to ensure the recovery of any remaining evidence and other materials relevant to the ongoing investigation," Cayabyab said.

Around 65 percent of the cargo hold has also been penetrated, with operations continuing in the remaining sections.

Since Saturday, joint authorities have been siphoning water from the vessel's engine room and have transferred the oily water mixtures collected so far into 13 drums for proper handling.

The PCG has sent a demand letter to the shipping company, directing it to immediately engage a competent salvor to undertake further siphoning operations.

The salvor will also assess the vessel's structural integrity and condition, she said.

The agency will also provide a legal team to assist victims and bereaved families with claims matters.

"The Coast Guard continues to conduct its maritime safety investigation and maritime crime investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine possible liabilities," she added.

The PCG earlier reported that the confirmed death toll from the fire rose to 76 after 41 additional charred remains were recovered on Sept. 12.

It said 12 individuals remain unaccounted for based on the vessel's manifest of 134 people on board.

The fire broke out aboard the MV June Aster on Sept. 9 while the vessel was en route from Manila to Coron.

PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan has since directed the deployment of all available resources, including vessels, a helicopter and medical personnel, to the search and recovery operations. (PNA)