Philippine authorities said Monday they are sending divers to drill a hole on the hull of the capsized ferry, M/V Princess of the Stars, to get out passengers who might trapped inside the overturned ship.
Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said at a press conference that he has ordered 14 coast guard divers to penetrate the vessel, with assistance from Navy and ship company's diving crew.
The bow of the MV Princess of Stars passenger ferry sticks out of the water off the coast of Sibuyan island in the central Philippines June 23, 2008.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Earlier Monday, Philippine navy divers who checked on the hull reported that there are "no signs of life" around the capsized passenger ferry.
But Tamayo said there might still be air pockets inside the ship, where survivors could have stayed, although more than 48 hours have passed since the ferry first went off.
The drilling is expected to process on Tuesday as the Navy announced that it would suspend rescue at night due to the insufficient equipments for late night operation.
