ZAMBOANGA CITY — Despite battling strong winds and heavy waves, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Zamboanga City successfully deployed an oil spill boom early Tuesday morning, October 7, 2025, to prevent oil from spreading into the sea following the sinking of the Weesam 8 Express fastcraft while docked at the port.
According to PCG Zamboanga, the team immediately installed oil spill containment equipment—including the spill boom and spill balloon—around the sunken vessel to stop fuel and oil from leaking into the surrounding waters. Their swift action was carried out under challenging sea conditions as waves continued to batter the area.
“Despite the rough seas, our personnel acted quickly to control potential pollution from the submerged fastcraft,” said one PCG official. “We are ensuring that no oil reaches the open water, which could harm the marine environment and affect nearby coastal communities.”
The effort came after the Weesam 8 Express sank around 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday due to flooding in its engine room. Captain Samuel Sabanal of the vessel reported that seawater began entering the lower section of the craft, likely through a hole in the hull. The crew’s attempts to pump out the water failed as the flooding intensified, causing the vessel to tilt and eventually sink while still moored at the port.
Fortunately, no passengers were aboard the fastcraft at the time, and all crew members were safely accounted for.
An investigation by the PCG and port authorities is now underway to determine the cause of the flooding and assess the extent of environmental impact. A salvage operation has been planned to retrieve the vessel once weather conditions improve.
Local residents and netizens commended the Coast Guard for their immediate response despite the dangerous conditions. “Alhamdulillah, magsukol kanio katan, stay safe sa ating lahat,” one resident posted, expressing gratitude for the PCG’s bravery and dedication.
The Weesam 8 Express, operated by Weesam Express Shipping Lines, serviced routes between Zamboanga City and nearby provinces in Western Mindanao.
As of press time, port operations remain normal, but authorities continue to advise vessel operators to exercise caution amid the ongoing rough sea conditions affecting Zamboanga Peninsula and other parts of Mindanao.