Experts to assess PH seafaring standards

Experts to assess PH seafaring standards
LISBET K. ESMAEL and CARMELA I. HUELAR March 25, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/experts-to-assess-ph-seafaring-standards/530...

Next month, a group of international maritime experts will conduct an independent assessment of the Philippines’ conformity with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

“Our engagement with the professional services of independent evaluators shows our full efforts in maintaining our seafarer’s reputation worldwide as a dependable maritime workforce. We will continue to comply with IMO standards for the benefit of our seafarers,” Marina officer-in-charge and administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. was quoted as saying in a statement.

The IMO is the International Maritime Organization.

The government on Sunday expressed bullishness that the Philippines will continue to secure its place in the so-called White List of the IMO.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) have vowed to conform with the International Convention on STCW for seafarers following an exclusive report of The Manila Times warning of the country’s possible exclusion from the White List.
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Inclusion in the White List means that the country complies with minimum qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships, under the revised 1978 International Convention on STCW of the IMO, a United Nations agency.

“The DoTr-Marina is taking the necessary steps to consistently improve the country’s maritime education, training, examination and assessment system,” the agencies said in a joint statement.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade urged Marina to fortify the country’s standing in the IMO and protect the livelihood of thousands of seafarers.

According to United Filipino Seafarers, over 400,000 jobs for Filipino seamen would be at risk if Marina failed to comply with global reporting standards.

Both the DOTr and Marina last week shrugged off reports about the government’s alleged failure to meet standards, stressing this has caused “undue panic.”

They said the Philippines remains on the White List, citing an IMO Maritime Safety Committee circular published in December 2018.