Sea travel halted for small vessels in Antique as Kiyapo intensifies

Philippine Coast Guard logo. (Photo from PCG/Facebook) ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has suspended the voyages of all vessels and watercraft of 15 gross tons (GT) and below within the jurisdiction of Coast Guard Station Antique as Tropical Storm Kiyapo continues to affect weather conditions in the country. In Sea Travel Advisory No. 01 issued Friday afternoon, July 24, Coast Guard Station Antique said the suspension took effect following the 2 p.m. weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). As of 1 p.m., Pagasa said the center of Tropical Storm Kiyapo was estimated over the coastal waters of Camiguin Island, Calayan, Cagayan. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts of up to 90 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 25 kph. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Tuguegarao City, 24 towns suspend face-to-face classes due to Kiyapo The Coast Guard said no motorboats or vessels of 15 GT and below would be allowed to sail until further notice due to prevailing adverse weather conditions. Authorities also urged marginalized fisherfolk to stay ashore and refrain from fishing and other sea-related activities while rough weather persists. The advisory cited Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard Memorandum Circular No. 02-23, or the Revised Guidelines on the Movement of Vessels During Heavy Weather, and Memorandum Circular No. 03-01 governing the movement of motorboats and vessels in the absence of a weather bulletin. The suspension comes as Western Visayas continues to grapple with the effects of the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Kiyapo, which has triggered heavy rains, flooding, and class suspensions in several areas, including Antique and Iloilo. The Coast Guard advised the public to prioritize safety, avoid unnecessary sea travel, and monitor official weather and maritime advisories until conditions improve. INQ /mr Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.