Camille Naredo

The Philippine Coast Guard has found the location of the ill-fated MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, on February 3, 2026. Handout/PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard has found the location of the ill-fated MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, on February 3, 2026.

Article (news)

MV Trisha Kerstin 3

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771306709367021726_MV Trisha Kerstin 3.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Philippine Coast Guard has found the location of the ill-fated MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, on February 3, 2026. Handout/PCG" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippine Coast Guard has found the location of the ill-fated MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, on February 3, 2026. <em>Handout/PCG</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Tuesday said it will tighten safety compliance and supervise emergency drills following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters in January.</p><p>MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan said they will begin conducting supervised drills to ensure compliance and improve the emergency preparedness of shipping companies and their crews.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/dotr-mv-trisha-kerstin-3-was-carrying-too-many-passengers-and-too-much-cargo-1454">READ: MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was carrying too many passengers and too much cargo -- DOTr</a></div><p>&quot;After the incident, I issued an advisory that we will be requiring regular drills at the start to be supervised by MARINA. That&#x27;s the immediate action, but in the midterm, we may require refresher training for domestic seafarers,&quot; Malaluan said during a press conference in Parañaque.</p><p>&quot;We need to see to it that they comply with their requirements and we will supervise drills, actual drills for emergency situations,&quot; she added.</p><p>MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off the coast of Basilan in the early hours of January 26. The passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, which owned the ferry, was eventually grounded in the wake of the incident.</p><p>Its location was found in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan on February 3. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/3/sunken-mv-trisha-kerstin-3-found-in-basilan-death-toll-now-at-43-2117">READ: Sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 found in Basilan</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/dotr-grounds-aleson-s-fleet-amid-full-blown-probe-into-basilan-ferry-sinking-1049">READ: DOTr grounds Aleson&#x27;s fleet amid &#x27;full-blown&#x27; investigation into Basilan ferry sinking</a></div><p>Malaluan added that while the Philippines maintains robust maritime training standards, emphasis must now be placed on the actual implementation.</p><p>&quot;There is no problem in terms of the content of the training but we have seen that the problem again is on the actual implementation under the safety management system of companies. They are required to conduct regular drills so they will check the readiness and preparedness to respond to emergencies. It appears we need to strengthen that,&quot; she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>COLLABORATION WITH IMO</strong></div><p>Also present at the press conference was International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, who is currently visiting the Philippines.</p><p>The Philippines, which supplies about 25 percent of the world’s seafarers, continues to receive technical assistance from the International Maritime Organization</p><p>&quot;We closely collaborate and we submit our needs. It&#x27;s a continuing partnership with the IMO,&quot; Malaluan said.</p><p>Meanwhile, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez acknowledged the growing risks faced by seafarers navigating through conflict zones, such as the Red Sea.</p><p>&quot;One of the challenges we are facing is of course our seafarers are not trained for combat. So when ships navigate in areas of conflict like in particular, what is happening in the Red Sea, we don&#x27;t have training and they are not prepared from attacks of missiles,&quot; Dominguez said.</p><p>Dominguez said companies are advised to conduct thorough safety risk assessments before sailing.</p><p>The IMO also said it is strengthening measures against violence and sexual harassment in the maritime sector.</p><p>&quot;The guidance we give to the administration is to carry out investigations that also show how these cases are reported. At the same time, we are launching the Safe Horizons Projects which is a global project not only to enhance awareness when it comes to violence and sexual harassment of all shapes,&quot; he said.</p><p>Beyond safety concerns, the IMO continues to push forward with maritime decarbonization efforts. </p><p>Dominguez said interim guidelines on alternative fuels are being developed, including specific guidance for methanol and ethanol.</p><p>He added that the IMO is not immune to geopolitical tensions, which can affect negotiations on technical and economic measures, funding distribution, and the adoption of new technologies.</p><p>&quot;Decarbonization has already started. We know a lot of projects as well as new ships that are in development and soon to be operating in methanol and ethanol. We&#x27;ve seen increase in ships ready to operate using alternative fuels,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Tuesday said it will tighten safety compliance and supervise emergency drills following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters in January.</p>

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Tuesday said it will tighten safety compliance and supervise emergency drills following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters in January.

MARINA orders supervised drills, tightens safety compliance after MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

MARINA orders supervised drills, tightens safety compliance after MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 17, 2026 01:40 PM PHT

Read More:

MARINA

maritime disaster

MV Trisha Kerstin 3

International Maritime Organization

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.