#5 NEGROS NAVIGATION CO. INC. vs.

COURT OF
APPEALS

 The rule is well-entrenched in our jurisprudence that

a shipowner may be held liable for injuries to
passengers notwithstanding the exclusively real and
hypothecary nature of maritime law if fault can be
attributed to the shipowner.

 this Court found petitioner guilty of negligence in (1)

allowing or tolerating the ship captain and crew
members in playing mahjong during the voyage, (2)
in failing to maintain the vessel seaworthy and (3) in
allowing the ship to carry more passengers than it
was allowed to carry. Petitioner is, therefore, clearly
liable for damages to the full extent.

#6 NEGROS NAVIGATION CO. INC. vs. COURT OF

APPEALS