Filipino seafarers face bigger threat than EMSA – Marina

Filipino seafarers face bigger threat than EMSA – Marina
February 9, 2022 https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/02/09/business/maritime/filipino-seafar...

ALMOST everyone else in the industry is preoccupied with the possible adverse implications of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) issue on the Filipino seafarers, but the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is also concerned about another threat.

For Marina Administrator Robert Empedrad, a bigger risk to the continued employment of Filipino seafarers onboard the international fleet is the rampant ambulance-chasing practice in the country.

His revelation was triggered by an inquiry of a crewing executive from Western Shipping regarding seafarers' certificates during a recent Marina-organized Stakeholders' Meeting held via Zoom.

The crewing executives specifically asked whether or not Marina has the authority to the guidelines on revoking the certificates of seafarers who have already claimed and been granted total and permanent disability.

"Do seafarers know these guidelines so that they should probably think twice before filing [total disability] claims?" queried the Western Shipping executive.

Administrator Empedrad's response was quick and straight. "Actually, to be very honest with you, EMSA is not the real problem of our seafaring industry; it is ambulance chasing.

"[On the question] do we have the authority to cancel relevant seafarers' certificates? Yes, we have the authority to cancel certificates since we are the one issuing the certificates," the Marina chief answered pointedly.

He added once a seafarer receives a permanent disability in his medical certificate," we will void the licenses of seafarers who have claimed full disability."