Safety of lives at sea a ‘moral obligation’

Safety of lives at sea a ‘moral obligation’
Lorenz S. Marasigan -November 29, 2018 https://businessmirror.com.ph/safety-of-lives-at-sea-a-moral-obligation/

A Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) regional official has underscored “the importance of proactive participation of member countries, ship operators, shipboard personnel, and classification societies in instilling understanding and encouraging actions to promote safety on domestic passenger ferries.”

At a recent ferry safety workshop in China, Marina representative Marc Anthony Pascua said “safety of life at sea is a moral obligation. However, maritime casualties and incidents involving domestic ferries continue to occur notwithstanding the initiatives of governments to improve the safety of domestic ferry operations.”

At home, he said, the government has mechanisms to effectively ensure safety. These include the enhancement of design and construction of ferries, ferry appliances and equipment, as well as human element as source of risk to safe and effective shipping. Pascua heads Marina’s regional office in Calabarzon.