In January, a ferry sank off the coast of southwestern Mindanao in the Philippines, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people. At least 368 passengers were on board the Trisha Kerstin 3 at the time of the accident, which occurred on January 26, 2023. The death toll has increased over time, with the most recent recovery bringing it to 52. Reports indicate that passengers received no instructions or warnings from the crew as the ferry began to list and ultimately capsized, raising concerns about the safety procedures in place. Philippine authorities revealed on February 11, 2023, that the ship may have been overloaded, with an investigation uncovering multiple safety violations. A key failure was the absence of necessary weight checks for vehicles boarding the ferry, which is mandated by law. Additionally, it was suggested that the shifting of overcapacity cargo could have contributed to the vessel's instability. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed that similar overloading issues were likely affecting other vessels in the archipelago. Dr. Neil Baird, a ferry safety expert, highlighted the broader issues within Aleson Shipping Lines, the owner of the Trisha Kerstin 3, pointing to their poor record of past incidents. Since 2019, the company has had more than 30 documented maritime incidents, greatly raising alarms about their operational standards and the implications for passenger safety. Survivors of the capsizing, including attorney Mr. Aquino Sajili, emphasized the need for accountability by urging for the total cancellation of Aleson Shipping's license to operate. The Philippines has experienced a long history of ferry disasters, raising questions about industry regulation and enforcement. The most recent tragedy was reminiscent of a deadly fire on the Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry that claimed the lives of 31 people just days before this latest incident. Calls for improved regulations regarding passenger and cargo safety are becoming increasingly urgent, as the nation grapples with the consequences of maritime negligence and the need for systemic reforms to ensure the safety of ferries operating in its waters.