A lot has already been said, commented on and written about regarding the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars owned by Sulpicio Lines.
I would like to include a little tidbit of my own regarding this tragedy.
Negros Navigation (Nenaco), a shipping line owned (indirectly) by Metro Pacific Corp belongs to a portfolio of accounts that I am currently handling. I was recently engaged in an animated conversation with Nenaco’s CFO regarding this recent maritime mishap and he had this to say:
At the time Signal Number 1 was hoisted over Metro Manila, Nenaco (or NN as fondly called by its crew and passengers) was also getting ready to set sail for Iloilo the same day that the Princess of the Stars was to sail for Cebu. With the growing inclement weather however, NN’s Management, together with the ship captain, decided not to push through with the trip as they didn’t want to take the risk of running into further foul weather and the attendant risks it brings once the ship is out at sea.
This decision showed Nenaco’s concern for its passengers’ safety. Once the weather cleared and the sea again safe for travel, Nenaco proceeded to sail for Iloilo, bringing its passenger safely to their destination. As everyone knows, Sulpicio Lines ended with a different fate.
If Nenaco was able to make this simple decision without relying on PAGASA for an official weather forecast or the COASTGUARD for clearance, why couldn’t Sulpicio?
It felt good being the Account Officer of a shipping company whose main concern is the welfare of its passengers. After all, their duty is to their loyal riding public. It says a lot of the company’s values and the priority of its shareholders, as well.
I would like to include a little tidbit of my own regarding this tragedy.
Negros Navigation (Nenaco), a shipping line owned (indirectly) by Metro Pacific Corp belongs to a portfolio of accounts that I am currently handling. I was recently engaged in an animated conversation with Nenaco’s CFO regarding this recent maritime mishap and he had this to say:
At the time Signal Number 1 was hoisted over Metro Manila, Nenaco (or NN as fondly called by its crew and passengers) was also getting ready to set sail for Iloilo the same day that the Princess of the Stars was to sail for Cebu. With the growing inclement weather however, NN’s Management, together with the ship captain, decided not to push through with the trip as they didn’t want to take the risk of running into further foul weather and the attendant risks it brings once the ship is out at sea.
This decision showed Nenaco’s concern for its passengers’ safety. Once the weather cleared and the sea again safe for travel, Nenaco proceeded to sail for Iloilo, bringing its passenger safely to their destination. As everyone knows, Sulpicio Lines ended with a different fate.
If Nenaco was able to make this simple decision without relying on PAGASA for an official weather forecast or the COASTGUARD for clearance, why couldn’t Sulpicio?
It felt good being the Account Officer of a shipping company whose main concern is the welfare of its passengers. After all, their duty is to their loyal riding public. It says a lot of the company’s values and the priority of its shareholders, as well.