Faulty electrical causes vessel fire, MARINA to suspend ship's safety certificate

By Nimfa L. Estrellado PROBE LAUNCHED: Authorities check the MV Monreal after a fire, caused by an electrical short circuit, broke out at se...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

PROBE LAUNCHED: Authorities check the MV Monreal after a fire, caused by an electrical short circuit, broke out at sea. (PCG)

SAN ANDRES, Quezon — A near-disaster was averted when an electrical fire erupted on a passenger-cargo vessel, prompting a heroic response from the crew and ensuring the safety of all 119 people on board, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday, August 29. MV Monreal, a 49-meter long passenger-cargo vessel owned by Kho Shipping Lines, was en route from Port of Aroroy, Masbate to Port of San Andres, Quezon, when the incident occurred.

According to the PCG, the blaze, which originated from an electrical short circuit in a crew cabin, was swiftly contained by vigilant crew members. A licensed electrician on board was then able to restore power, allowing the vessel to safely reach the nearest port. The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, approximately one nautical mile away from San Andres town.



Upon the vessel's arrival at San Andres Port at 10:49 p.m. on Wednesday, local authorities, including the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of San Andres, conducted thorough medical checks. All 66 passengers and 53 crew members and cadets were confirmed to be in good condition, with no reported injuries. The vessel was also carrying 16 rolling cargoes.

The PCG has since detained the vessel and initiated a formal investigation into the cause of the fire. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region IV-A has also been notified and has been requested to suspend the vessel's Passenger Ship Safety Certificate pending the official results of the marine casualty investigation.

Suspending a ship's safety certificate is a standard procedure in such cases, ensuring a thorough inspection and evaluation are conducted before a vessel can resume operations. The suspension will remain in effect until the vessel is certified to have corrected the issues and is deemed fully compliant with all safety standards.

The master of the vessel has been instructed to file a marine protest, and sworn statements from the passengers and crew have been collected as part of the ongoing inquiry. This incident, while thankfully resulting in no injuries, underscores the critical need for strict adherence to safety protocols and regular maintenance of maritime vessels to prevent similar occurrences in the future.