Doña Paz Tragedy

TRIXIE ANN LEGASPI PALOMAR

BSTM 1E

SUBJECT: RISK MANAGEMENT

With an estimated death toll of 4,386 people, the collision resulted in the
deadliest peacetime maritime disaster in history. Doña Paz was traveling from
Leyte island to the Philippine capital of Manila.

While most of the passengers slept in the fatal night, the Doña Paz collided with
MT Vector, an oil tanker en route from Bataan to Masbate. The Vector was
carrying 8,800 US barrels of gasoline and other petroleum products owned by
Caltex Philippines. Upon collision, the Vector’s cargo ignited and caused a fire
on the ship that spread onto the Doña Paz. Survivors recalled sensing the crash
and an explosion, causing panic on the vessel.

The ferry sank within two hours of the collision, while the tanker sank within
four hours.

It reportedly took eight hours before Philippine maritime authorities learned of

the accident, and another eight hours to organise search-and-rescue operations.

Only 26 survivors were retrieved from the water. Twenty-four of them were
passengers from the Doña Paz while the other two were crewmen from the
Vector’s 13-man crew.