Safety
MARINA suspends the safety certificate of Virgen de Peñafrancia II
MARINA suspended the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate of MV Virgen de Peñafrancia II on 30 October 2026 after the Starhorse Shipping Lines ferry took a severe list at the Port of Real, Quezon. The authority’s initial report says a mooring line snapped at around 12:25 a.m., three passengers were injured, and no fatalities were recorded. The ship is barred from operating until a safety inspection is complete.
Source: Maritime Industry Authority (opens in a new tab)
The Maritime Industry Authority said on 30 October 2026 that Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the suspension of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate of MV Virgen de Peñafrancia II. The release says the incident was at the Port of Real, Quezon, early on Friday 30 October, and that three passengers were injured.
MARINA suspended the certificate and ordered marine casualty investigators to the ship. Based on the initial report of MARINA Regional Office IV, the incident occurred at around 12:25 a.m. when a mooring line snapped amid strong water currents, causing the vessel, operated by Starhorse Shipping Lines Inc., “to develop a severe list to its starboard side and partially submerge”.
The three injured passengers, who reportedly remained inside a vehicle aboard the vessel, were struck by a drum that shifted during the incident. Philippine Coast Guard personnel rescued them and brought them to a medical facility. All three were reported to be in stable condition. No fatalities were recorded.
MARINA Regional Office IV issued the suspension order on Friday. The ship is prohibited from operating until further notice. The suspension remains in effect pending a safety inspection and a technical evaluation of the vessel’s seaworthiness. MARINA said the cause has yet to be conclusively established. Investigators will examine the vessel’s condition, mooring arrangements, stability, cargo-securing measures, and compliance with maritime safety requirements.
“Passenger safety remains MARINA’s highest priority. We will ensure that this incident is thoroughly investigated and that appropriate measures are undertaken to prevent similar occurrences,” the authority said.