What is princess of the orient?

Princess of the Orient was a passenger ship that sank off the coast of Fortune Island in the Philippines on September 18, 1998. It was considered one of the worst maritime disasters in Philippine history, with over 150 people losing their lives as a result of the tragedy.

The ship was built in 1974 by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries in Japan. It was originally named Sunflower 11 and operated under various owners before being purchased by Sulpicio Lines in 1993 and renamed Princess of the Orient.

The ship was designed to carry both passengers and cargo and was equipped with various amenities such as a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool. However, its age and condition were scrutinized following the sinking, with allegations of poor maintenance and safety violations.

On the night of the sinking, Princess of the Orient was en route from Manila to Cebu when it encountered rough seas brought by Typhoon Vicki. The captain attempted to anchor the ship near Fortune Island to wait out the storm, but the ship lost power and began to list heavily. Attempts to abandon ship were hindered by the extreme conditions, resulting in numerous casualties.

The sinking of the Princess of the Orient highlighted issues of maritime safety in the Philippines and led to a review of safety regulations in the country.