Marina suspends OceanJet 788 after a docking failure in Bohol

The Inquirer reported on 1 November 2026 that the Maritime Industry Authority suspended the Passenger Ship Safety Certificates of two vessels involved in separate incidents in Cagayan and Bohol on Saturday. In a statement on Sunday, Marina said it ordered the immediate suspension of the certificates of motor banca Rose Marie 1 and passenger vessel MV OceanJet 788.

Initial reports indicated that rough seas and uncontrolled movements of livestock may have caused Rose Marie 1 to capsize at around 8:15 a.m. between Dalupiri Island and Fuga Island in Cagayan. Marina said all seven crew members survived, and that six of the 11 animals on board died.

In a letter dated Oct. 31 to Ocean Fast Ferry Inc., Marina Central Visayas regional director Engr. Ronaldo Bandalaria said MV OceanJet 788 suffered an electrical failure in its bridge engine control/throttle system at around 10:57 a.m. while maneuvering to dock at Tagbilaran Port in Bohol. The malfunction resulted in the loss of the vessel’s reverse propulsion. A caption on the Inquirer report says the vessel ran aground at the loading dock that day.

Marina said: “The suspension of PSSC of OceanJet 788 shall remain in effect and may be restored/reinstated after a satisfactory result of Marina survey and/or evaluation of all available data surrounding the seaworthiness of the vessel.” The Department of Transportation said in a separate statement on Sunday that the suspension prevents the vessels from operating until they pass a safety inspection and Marina determines that they are seaworthy.

Marina Deputy Administrator for Operations Rear Adm. Loumer Bernabe (ret.) said: “No vessel should be allowed to sail unless its safety and seaworthiness are assured. Our priority remains the protection of lives at sea and the prevention of maritime accidents.”