Philippine officials ordered an indefinite grounding of Aleson Shipping Lines' passenger vessels after the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off Basilan, killing at least 18 and prompting the rescue of 316 people. Ten crew members remain missing and an oil sheen was seen near the site; the wreck is estimated about 76 meters (249 feet) underwater. Authorities will deploy divers and an ROV to inspect the wreck while inspections of Aleson’s fleet begin. Transport officials cited the company’s record of 32 safety-related incidents since 2019 and said other operators may be allowed to cover affected routes.
Philippines Grounds Aleson Fleet After M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 Sinks, Killing At Least 18
Philippine coast guard personnel carry a body bag in Zamboanga city, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, after M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry sank. (AP photo)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Philippine authorities on Tuesday ordered the indefinite grounding of all passenger vessels owned by Aleson Shipping Lines after the company's ferry M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank early Monday off Basilan province, killing at least 18 people and prompting the rescue of hundreds more.
Search, Rescue and Investigation Underway
Coast Guard Admiral Ronnie Gavan said search operations continue for 10 people still unaccounted for — mainly crew members and the ferry's captain. An oil sheen was observed on the water near where the vessel went down, and authorities are concentrating their efforts on the site where the ferry submerged.
To locate and inspect the wreckage, which is estimated to lie about 76 meters (249 feet) below the surface, the coast guard plans to deploy divers and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Officials said the operation will assess damage and help determine the cause of the sinking.
What Happened Aboard the Ferry
The steel-hulled cargo-and-passenger ferry, which had three decks, sank near the island village of Baluk-baluk while en route from Zamboanga to Jolo. Officials say the vessel had 317 passengers and 27 crew members on board. Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the coast guard initially reported 332 passengers but later clarified that 15 people decided not to board at the last minute.
A map showing the location of a ferry sinking in the Philippines. (AP Digital Embed)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
So far, authorities report that 316 people were rescued and 18 bodies — including an infant — have been recovered. Ten people remain missing as search operations continue.
Government Response
Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the indefinite grounding of Aleson Shipping Lines' passenger ships to allow inspections for seaworthiness and compliance with safety regulations. Lopez said other ferry operators would be allowed to fill service gaps on affected routes and the coast guard may provide free transport to avoid major disruption in a region that relies heavily on ferries.
“We’ll make sure that this will never happen again,” Lopez said, noting that Aleson vessels have been involved in 32 safety-related incidents since 2019. Aleson Shipping Lines had not immediately responded to the government order.
Survivor Accounts and Broader Context
A survivor, Mohamad Khan, described how the ferry suddenly listed, throwing him, his wife and other passengers into the dark sea. Khan and his wife were rescued, but their six-month-old infant drowned, he said.
The Philippines has a troubling history of maritime accidents caused by severe weather, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding and uneven enforcement of safety rules — particularly in remote provinces. The disaster evokes memories of the 1987 Dona Paz sinking, when a ferry collided with a fuel tanker and more than 4,300 people died in the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime disaster.
Next steps: Authorities will continue underwater searches, secure the wreck site where possible, and carry out inspections of Aleson’s fleet as investigators work to determine the sinking’s cause.
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