The Doña Paz Ferry Disaster That Killed 4,300 (Documentary)

Summary

The Doña Paz maritime disaster of 1987 is recounted in this script, detailing the tragic collision with the MT Vector oil tanker near Marinduque, Philippines. Overcrowding and safety malpractices led to the largest peacetime maritime disaster, with only 26 survivors from an estimated 4000 on board. The narrative explores the events, the aftermath, and the legal repercussions, highlighting the negligence that contributed to the catastrophe.

Takeaways

• 🚢 The Doña Paz ferry disaster occurred on December 20, 1987, and is considered the worst maritime disaster in peacetime.
• 🗓️ The ferry was on a routine trip from Tacloban to Manila, with a stopover in Catbalogan, when it collided with the oil tanker MT Vector.
• 🔥 The collision led to an explosion and fire, causing the Doña Paz to become a floating ball of flames, with many passengers forced to jump into shark-infested waters to escape.
• 📊 It's estimated that over 4,000 people were on board, with only 24 passengers and two crew members from the MT Vector surviving the incident.
• 📜 The official manifest significantly underestimated the number of passengers due to overcrowding and unregistered individuals, including children and soldiers.
• 👥 Both vessels were found to have serious safety issues, including unlicensed crew, lack of proper certifications, and the Vector being unseaworthy.
• 🚨 The Doña Paz's crew was reportedly engaged in leisure activities rather than monitoring the ship's navigation, contributing to the collision.
• 📡 Communication between the two vessels was non-existent due to expired and fake radio licenses, preventing any warning of the impending collision.
• 🏆 The Vector was found primarily liable for the disaster, while the Doña Paz's owners were absolved due to the Vector's multiple safety violations.
• 🛳️ The Doña Paz was also found to be not seaworthy, as it had been modified with additional decks not accounted for in its stability certificate.
• 🏛️ A memorial in Catbalogan honors the victims, and the owner company, Sulpicio Lines, has since changed its name and now only operates cargo ships.

Q & A

What was the name of the passenger ferry involved in the maritime disaster on December 20, 1987?

The name of the passenger ferry was Doña Paz.

What was the estimated number of passengers and crew on the Doña Paz according to the ship's initial manifesto?

According to the ship's initial manifesto, there were 1493 passengers and 59 crew members on the Doña Paz.

What was the name of the oil tanker that collided with the Doña Paz?

The name of the oil tanker was MT Vector.

What was the estimated number of people onboard the Doña Paz based on survivor accounts?

Survivor accounts suggest that there were more than 3000 people onboard the Doña Paz.

What were the reported conditions of the MT Vector at the time of the collision?

The MT Vector was understaffed, operated without a license, and the Captain only had a second officer's license. The ship also did not have a certificate of inspection, making it unseaworthy.

What was the reported behavior of the Doña Paz's crew at the time of the collision?

The Doña Paz's Captain was allegedly watching a movie, and the other two senior officers were reportedly drinking beers. An apprentice mate was likely steering the ship at the time of the collision.

What was the cause of the explosion on the Doña Paz after the collision?

The explosion on the Doña Paz was caused by the impact with the MT Vector, which was carrying thousands of barrels of highly flammable fuel products.

How many survivors were there from the Doña Paz and MT Vector?

There were 24 survivors from the Doña Paz and two crew members from the MT Vector.

What was the aftermath of the collision for the Philippine Maritime authorities?

The Philippine Maritime authorities reportedly only learned about the collision eight hours after the incident and took another eight hours to mount a coordinated search and rescue operation.

What were the findings of the Board of Marine Inquiry regarding the responsibility for the collision?

The Board of Marine Inquiry found that the fatal incident was due to a series of safety malpractices on both vessels, with the Vector's owners found liable for operating the ship without a license and the Doña Paz's owners absolved of liability.

What changes occurred to Sulpicio Lines, the owner company of the Doña Paz, after the tragedy?

Sulpicio Lines has since changed its name and now operates under Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation, limited to carrying cargo only.