Coast Guard suspends sea travel in Aurora as Rosal approaches

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, Oct. 20, suspended sea travel for all motor bancas and other watercraft within its jurisdiction in Aurora province as a precaution against Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi). 

In a sea travel advisory, the PCG Coast Guard Station Aurora ordered the temporary suspension to prevent maritime accidents and protect the lives of fishermen, passengers and crew members.

The PCG advised fishermen and vessel operators not to venture out to sea while the suspension remains in effect and to follow official advisories and instructions from the Coast Guard and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

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READ: Super Typhoon Champi to enter PAR on Oct. 20; to be named Rosal

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Vessels that need to seek shelter in designated areas must first submit a written request to Coast Guard Station Aurora, according to the advisory.

They are also prohibited from carrying passengers or cargo while traveling to or staying in designated shelter areas.

Meanwhile, the Aurora provincial government, through Gov. Sid Pimentel Galban and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, urged residents to remain alert, monitor official announcements and prioritize the safety of their families and communities.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa estimated Rosal’s center at 1,270 kilometers east of Central Luzon. The cyclone was packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 240 kph, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.

It was expected to move west-northwestward until Wednesday (Oct. 21), then northwestward until Friday morning, passing closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday (Oct. 22) and Friday (Oct. 23), while gradually weakening into a typhoon. /cb