MV Danica Joy

Danica Joy

MV Danica Joy at Zamboanga International Seaport, took a week before the incident in September 22, 2016
History
Name:	Danica Joy
Owner:	Aleson Shipping Lines
Operator:	Aleson Shipping Lines
Port of registry:	Port of Zamboanga,  Philippines
Route:	Zamboanga City - Sandakan , Malaysia
Builder:	Nakamura Shipbuilding Yanai, Japan
Completed:	1982
Acquired:	1994
Out of service:	September 22, 2016
Identification:	IMO: 8135253, MMSI: 548579000
Fate:	Capsized at the Zamboanga International Seaport upon unloading passengers.
General characteristics
Type:	Passenger RoRo Ferry
Tonnage:	998 tons
Length:	60 m
Draught:	249 tons
Capacity:	900 Passengers

MV Danica Joy is a passenger ferry owned and operated by Aleson Shipping Lines.^[1][2] She served the BIMP-EAGA Route of Zamboanga City - Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia.

Career

MV Danica Joy was a passenger ship of Aleson Shipping Lines that serves the BIMP-EAGA Route^[3] of Zamboanga City - Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. Originally, her namesake is MV Danica Joy 2 as per records given from Maritime Industry Authority,^[4][5] and through Maritime Connector^[2] as she's the successor to MV Danica Joy 1^[6] whose route is from Dapitan City - Dumaguete City. However, her hull was painted as "MV Danica Joy". Thus, she got the name "MV Danica Joy" and her predecessor was named into "MV Danica Joy 1".

On her maiden voyage to the said route, she was called as the "Hepe De Viaje" (Chavacano term for "Chief of the Cruise") as she spearheaded the Zamboanga City - Sandakan route. In 1998, she was alongside with MV Lady Mary Joy 2 in servicing the route up until MV Lady Mary Joy 2's retirement in 2006.^[7] Since then, she was the only ferry that servicing the said route.

Other shipping lines tried to compete over Aleson for the said route like Weesam Express, but it didn't last long. In 2015, MV Danica Joy was the only ship to serve that route.

Fate

September 22, 2016 when, MV Danica Joy arrived to Zamboanga International Seaport by 4 p.m. coming from Sandakan. After all passengers had already disembarked hours, the ship listed on its starboard side and capsized by around 9:30 PM. The ship was carrying 799 passengers of which 11 Malaysians and one Australian—and 603 deportees. Luckily, all passengers were unloaded earlier on, resulting to no casualties.^[8][9]

The Philippine Coast Guard cited cargo mishandling caused a ferry to capsize. Commodore Pablo Gonzales Jr., PCG district commander for Southwestern Mindanao, said initial investigation showed no other safety issue on the MV Danica Joy, which capsized while berthed at the port.^[10]

Gonzales said the Coast Guard has called up the management of the MV Danica Joy to shed light on the mishap. He said the responsibility remains with the chief mate, being the cargo officer.

Gonzales explained that chief is supposed to be around until the loading or unloading of the cargo is done. He said, “We called on the management of the ship and let’s be fair with them. We have to find out if the chief mate was around and what were the procedures that he might have overlooked,”.

The chief mate may lose his license if found to have neglected his duties. Aleson Shipping also faces sanctions, he said.^[11]

The ship cargoes were capsized along with the ferry. Mostly shopping goods cargo consisting mostly of cooking oil, noodles and other food items.^[12]

References

1. "ALESON SHIPPING LINES OFFICIAL WEBSITE". aleson-shipping.com. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
2. "DANICA JOY 2 - 8135253 - RO-RO/PASSENGER SHIP | Maritime-Connector.com". maritime-connector.com. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
3. "Development of 15 sea routes to BIMP-EAGA eyed | PortCalls Asia | Asian Shipping and Maritime News". www.portcalls.com. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
4. "Inventory of RoRo Routes - Maritime Industry Authority as of 2015" (PDF).
5. "List Of Operating Vessels as of June 2013" (PDF).
6. "Filsec - Filipino Ship Enthusiast Coalition - Photo of Danica Joy 1". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
7. "Vessel details for: LADY MARY JOY 2 (Ro-Ro/Passenger Ship) - IMO 7402025, MMSI -7402025, Call Sign Registered in | AIS Marine Traffic". MarineTraffic.com. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
8. "Passenger boat capsizes at Zamboanga port". 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
9. "Filsec - Filipino Ship Enthusiast Coalition - Video: FILIPINO FERRY MV DANICA JOY CAPSIZED AT ZAMBO PORT". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
10. "The Philippine Star - Cargo mishandling eyed in Zamboanga City ferry mishap".
11. "Filsec - Filipino Ship Enthusiast Coalition - Video Summary: MV Danica Joy". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
12. Bulletin, The Manila. "Ship from Sabah sinks at Zambo City port". Retrieved 2016-09-24.