Passenger ferry capsizes while in port in Zamboanga City

The ‘Danica Joy 2’, a 998-tonne passenger and cargo vessel that plies the weekly ferry route between Zamboanga City in the Southern Philippines and Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia, capsized hours after docking in the former city on Thursday, September 22.

The incident occurred at 9:30pm local time some five hours after the vessel arrived in port, according to officials of the Philippine Ports Authority.

No casualties were reported among the vessel’s crew and her 799 passengers, all of whom had already disembarked by the time the incident occurred.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s investigation into the mishap revealed that mishandling of onboard cargo caused the ‘Danica Joy 2’ to list to starboard and ultimately capsize.

There is still no word given on the estimated value of the damaged cargo, which included both dry goods and food items such as vegetable oil.

Coast guard officials further state that Aleson Shipping Lines, the vessel’s operator, will face sanctions if it is proven that the crew failed to comply with proper unloading procedures.

Nelson E. Dela Cruz


Alex Baird

Alex Baird is the Managing Director of Baird Maritime