Aleson Shipping Lines, which operates the passenger vessel M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 that sank off Basilan early this week, has been involved in 32 sea incidents and violations since 2019, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)—the Philippine government’s primary agency responsible for the regulation, promotion, and development of the domestic maritime industry.
In a press conference following the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, MARINA Enforcement Service Director Luisito Delos Santos said these incidents included engine trouble, allision, ramming, grounding, steering failure, hydraulic malfunction, near-miss or tilting, man overboard, and fire and sinking.
Since most of the deficiencies were “rectifiable,” safety certificates were not suspended, but non-compliant vessels were. Delos Santos explained that shipowners are responsible for their operations, particularly in ensuring the seaworthiness of their vessels. Vessels may be found compliant during MARINA inspections but could still encounter machinery trouble while in operation.
MARINA’s preliminary assessment showed that the incidents were dominated by three major risk areas: machinery reliability failure, navigational control problems, and crew safety issues.
Delos Santos said the total number of fatalities linked to Aleson-related incidents has reached 51, including the 18 casualties from the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3.
Audit
Aleson Shipping has 24 registered passenger vessels. Of these, 12 are currently operational, five are non-operational, six are in dry dock, and one has sunk (M/V Trisha Kerstin 3). The roll-on/roll-off vessel M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, which was en route to Jolo Island in southern Sulu after departing Zamboanga City port, capsized near Basilan province, killing at least 18 people out of the 350 passengers onboard.
MARINA inspectors and auditors have been deployed to Zamboanga to audit the company’s passenger vessels, which have been suspended since Tuesday this week. Delos Santos also said that if a ship complies with safety requirements through inspection and audit, the suspension will be lifted.
No to technicalities
In response to the directive by Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez “not to be too technical,” MARINA has streamlined documentary requirements for insurance claims of victims and survivors. MARINA has also set up a help desk at the Aleson Shipping Lines office in Zamboanga to assist families.
“The instruction is not to be too technical. The way I understand it is to prove that he is one of the passengers and there are things that need to be shown. For example, his identity. But we will cross-check that in the passenger manifesto,” Delos Santos said.
Survivors are entitled to P50,000 in financial assistance, while families of those who died will receive P200,000 per victim.
Affected routes
The grounding of Aleson’s passenger shipping fleet has affected two major Zamboanga routes: Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and Lamitan, Basilan. MARINA has opened these routes to other shipping lines. It has also eased sailing schedules for vessels, allowing operators to deploy quicker return trips.
Delos Santos further clarified that no fare increases have been approved for the routes and warned that monitoring of operators has been tightened.
Safety challenges
Meantime, MARINA recognized that recent incidents in domestic shipping, including the tragic sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, point to serious and systemic safety challenges within the country’s maritime transport sector. “Incidents occurring even in fair weather conditions demonstrate that safety risks are not limited to weather alone, but extend to vessel seaworthiness, maintenance practices, operational discipline, and safety management systems. This is a clear signal that existing controls and routine oversight are no longer sufficient,” Delos Santos said.
In response, Delos Santos said MARINA will strengthen and implement a more proactive, risk-based approach to maritime safety regulation and enforcement. This includes intervening earlier—before accidents occur—through intensified safety audits, more frequent and targeted inspections of high-risk vessels and operators, and stricter accountability for shipowners and managers.
While MARINA conducts regular safety and compliance audits on the country’s shipping fleet, Delos Santos noted operational constraints in reaching all operators, especially those in remote areas.
“Our objective is straightforward: to prevent avoidable tragedies, protect lives at sea, and restore public confidence by ensuring that safety is never treated as optional in domestic shipping,” Delos Santos said.
“We assure the public that MARINA will continue to be proactive in ensuring that the plans and programs relating to maritime safety will be sustainable. Sustainable in the sense that it will not be a band-aid solution, but something that our public will feel.”
