No casualties reported; Coast Guard investigates cause of sinking
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Panic gripped the Zamboanga Port early Tuesday morning, October 7, 2025, after a Weesam 8 Express fastcraft suddenly sank while still docked.
According to Captain Samuel Sabanal, seawater began entering the vessel’s engine room at around 3:00 a.m. due to strong waves and rough sea conditions. The crew immediately tried to pump the water out, but the flooding intensified, causing the vessel to tilt and eventually submerge.
Initial reports indicated that a hole in the lower section of the fastcraft may have allowed seawater to seep in. Captain Sabanal said the issue was not promptly reported by the engine room officer, which could have prevented the vessel from sinking had it been addressed earlier.
Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported among the crew, as the fastcraft was still docked and not carrying passengers at the time of the incident.
Authorities from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the damage and are assessing the extent of the loss. A salvage operation is also being planned to retrieve the sunken vessel.
The Weesam 8 Express was a passenger fastcraft operating under Weesam Express Shipping Lines, which services routes between Zamboanga City and nearby provinces in Western Mindanao.
As of press time, port operations remain normal, but authorities have advised vessel operators to take extra precautions due to the rough sea conditions affecting parts of Mindanao.