50K Pinoy seamen at risk of ban

50K Pinoy seamen at risk of ban
Irma Isip June 1, 2021 https://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news_business/50k-pinoy-seamen-at-risk-o...

About 50,000 Filipino seafarers are in danger of losing their jobs if the Philippines fails the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit whose final results will be known by August.

“That’s a big blow to the Philippines,” said Admiral Robert Empedrad (Ret), administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) at the Tapatan sa Aristocrat yesterday.

Empedrad said the EMSA is yet to do its assessment on the corrective actions taken by the Philippines on the 13 shortcomings and 60 sub-findings on the country’s compliance to the international code on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). These are in the areas of program and course approval, monitoring, examination and assessment of competence, training facilities and equipment and onboard training and certification.

Empedrad said the findings go as far back as 2006 which EMSA said were not addressed, leading it to issue an ultimatum to the Philippines.

“If these are not addressed, there will be a withdrawal of support (for our seafarers) and we won’t be able to deploy our seafarers to European ships,” he added.

As it is, the number of deployed seafarers was reduced by half in 2020 to 217,233 due to the pandemic.

Empedrad said the Philippines hopes to sustain its status as crew change capital of the world post-pandemic.

The establishment of crew change hubs has enabled it to sustain deployment from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bataan, Subic and Batangas.