The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel on Sunday morning, October 19, in the provinces of Romblon, Marinduque, and Batangas due to rough sea conditions caused by Tropical Storm Ramil.
The PCG stations in the three provinces announced the temporary suspension of voyages for all vessels and watercraft traveling within their respective area of responsibilities starting 5 a.m., citing the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 and the possible effects of the inclement weather.
‘All vessels are reminded to take precautionary measures and be extra vigilant in monitoring the movement of the typhoon if deemed to be affected by said weather disturbance,’ the PCG in Romblon, Marinduque, and Batangas said in a public advisory posted on their respective Facebook pages.
Voyages will resume only upon improvement of weather and sea conditions, the PCG said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s 5 a.m. update warned: ‘Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.’
In its latest update, Ramil was located over the coastal waters of Alabat, Quezon.
Ramil is moving at 25 km per hour (kph) west northwestward, carrying maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 90 kph.
The state weather bureau predicted that Ramil will make another landfall over the vicinity of Quezon province on Sunday morning. Ramil made its first landfall in Gubat, Sorsogon past 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 18.
After making landfall in Quezon, Ramil was forecast to traverse the Southern-Central Luzon landmass before emerging over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or Zambales in the afternoon or evening, Pagasa said.
‘It will then continue moving generally northwestward until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow (20 October) morning or noon,’ it added.