Only in the Philippines!

Another shipping disaster happened again yesterday September 6, 2009. There were five passengers confirmed dead, more than 60 remained missing, and about 900 were rescued after the SuperFerry 9 sank off the coast of Zamboanga.

Initial reports received by the Coast Guard claimed that the Superferry 9’s generator sputtered and conked out around 3 a.m., shortly before the 135-meter, roll-on, roll-off ferry started to list.



The Superferry 9 was carrying 856 passengers and 112 crew members when it started listing and issued a distress call at 3:30 a.m. before it sank at 10 a.m. while rescue operations were under way, said Coast Guard chief Alfredo Tamayo.

Two of the fatalities were identified as Star Cinema cameraman Fernando Estrada, 45, a two-year-old baby James Galero and three unidentified passengers as of the presstime.

The Superferry 9 reported having 968 people on board, below its legal capacity of 1,120 passengers and crew, according to the Coast Guard.