MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has formed a five-member Special Board of Marine Inquiry (SBMI) to investigate the sinking of the ferry Starlite Atlantic that left a crewmember dead and 18 others missing.

Cmdr. Raul Belesario, PCG-Batangas station chief, was named SBMI chairman, with an official of the Maritime Industry Authority as vice chairman and a PCG personnel, master mariner and chief engineer as members.

Belesario said the results of the investigation would be used to improve regulations to prevent a similar incident.

He said it is up to any individual or group to use the results of the probe to file criminal charges against those who would be found liable.

“The investigation is not geared toward who is liable. It is not for criminal charges. The result of the SBMI would be made available to the public upon request,” Belesario said.

He said the inquiry is expected to be finished next week.

Meanwhile, Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said they would seek the help of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) to locate Starlite Atlantic.

Balilo said NAMRIA has a hydrographic survey vessel with sonar capabilities that can be used to find the ship that sank near the Balahibongmanoc Island in Ting-loy, Batangas. The 1,495 gross ton roll-on roll-off ferry sank due to strong winds and big waves spawned by Typhoon Nina on Dec. 26.

The PCG raised the possibility that some of the missing crew were trapped inside the vessel.