‘No sailing’ for small vessels in Albay

Albay Provincial Capitol in Legazpi (Photo By Filipinayzd – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

LEGAZPI CITY — The Albay provincial disaster council on Sunday warned fishermen in coastal villages at the eastern seaboard of the province not to sail and go fishing following a gale warning bulletin by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Cedric Daep, chief of the Albay Public Safety Emergency and Management Office (APSEMO), said they had advised various disaster authorities to strictly enforce the “no sailing” policy as big waves could sweep fishing boats and small seacrafts to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Affected by the no-sailing policy are the coastal towns of Rapu-rapu, Manito, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi including the cities of Tabaco and Legazpi.

Daep said he also warned large sea vessels plying the routes Tabaco-Catanduanes to be on alert against big waves caused by strong winds prevailing there.

PAGASA on Sunday has issued a gale warning saying that the seaboards of Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, eastern coast of Albay, Sorsogon and Northern Samar would experience 52-63 kilometers per hour wind force with waves of 3.5-4.5 meters high.