A Panamanian flagship vessel including its 21 Filipino crew on board  are safe after it ran aground owing to human error at the vicinity of Kiamba, Sarangani province, last Sunday, Tonight gathered yesterday.

Reports reaching the main headquarters of Coast Guard Commandant Vice Admiral Ramon C. Liwag disclosed that personnel of Coast Guard Detachment Kiamba sighted a cargo vessel in steady position at about noontime of May 8 at the vicinity waters of Kiamba, Sarangani province.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said the MV Double Prosperity had run aground off 2.5 nautical miles at 10 a.m. Sunday and has been stuck there since.

The Coast Guard is presently closely monitoring the leak at the forepeak tank of the vessel.

Investigations further disclosed that all crew were safe.

Liwag has ordered its GenSan station to immediately dispatch additional personnel notably its Marine Environmental Protection Group (MEPGRU) personnel to assess the situation for possible oil spill or coal spill and Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel to conduct underwater hull inspection and provide vessel security since the area is critical owing to the presence of armed men from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front operating in Sarangani.

Earlier, personnel of the GenSan detachment has contacted the vessel thru marine band radio and gathered initial information from the chief mate, who tipped them about the maritime incident.

The chief mate said that their vessel, MV Double Prosperity, a Panamanian-registered vessel and skippered by Danilo Sta. Ana, ran aground around 10 in the morning at vicinity 2.6 NM off Kiamba, Sarangani Province.

Further information also revealed that said vessel which departed Australia enroute to India is loaded with 65.351 MT of coal.

After initial coordination, personnel of CG Detachment  Kiamba proceeded to the vessel to conduct further investigation.

Investigations later disclosed from interviews with Sta. Ana that while on its way at  vicinity 2.5NM off Kiamba, Sarangani Province, the Duty Officer of the Watch identified as 3rd Mate Robert Ortega Cepe admitted that he did not notice the shallow area of Bacud Reef that caused the vessel to ran aground on its forward portion.

Captain Sta Ana also added that the vessel owner was already informed about the incident and the coordination made with Mayalan Towage for the availability of tugboat which was expected to have arrived yesterday.