Govt sets tougher rules for seafarers

Transport authorities have set harsher punishments for erring seafarers and will require them to render local service before allowing them to work abroad.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said these measures were meant to raise the bar of safety in the accident-prone seafaring industry.

“Findings show that miscalculations and lack of competence of our crew are root causes of shipping accidents,” said Mendoza, adding that competent seafarers are working abroad for better compensation packages.

As such, he said the government was planning to impose a two-year mandatory service in domestic shipping.

“Most of them [sailors] are scholars of the Philippine Merchant Academy so they should pay back the government,” Mendoza said.

He also recommended harsher penalties on erring seafarers. “Suspension and cancellation of their licenses were recommended by stakeholders,” Mendoza said.

Meanwhile, Maritime Industry Authority Administrator Maria Elena Bautista said government had allotted P5 million for the procurement of GPS (Global Positional System) and VMS (vessel monitoring system) devices to ensure faster response to distress calls from vessels.

“All registered vessels will get these devices for free from Marina. But they have to pay from P500 to P800 in monthly subscription fee,” Bautista said.

Initially, only roll-on, roll-off vessels will be supplied with these devices. Outrigger bancas will be equipped with the monitoring device.

In the past two years, Transport agencies recorded eight maritime accidents involving four Roro vessels, three outrigger bancas and one wooden hull.

Philippine Coast Guard also submitted recommendations to improve vessel safety.

Its proposals include more frequent inspection schedule, prescription of age cap for passenger vessel importations and the phase-out of passenger wooden hull vessel.

It also recommended the adoption of international safety and environmental protection standards that will include life-saving appliances, communications and navigational equipment requirements in the domestic trade. –Jeremiah de Guzman, Manila Standard Today