Coast Guard eyes seafarers' database to prevent sea mishaps

In a bid to prevent unqualified seamen from causing accidents at sea, the Philippine Coast Guard is set to work on a database of ship officers involved in maritime accidents. The Coast Guard said it will draw up the database in coordination with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). "The said database will serve as PCG’s basis in checking the capability and competence of the ships’ officers in commanding or bringing passenger and cargo vessels plying Philippine waters safely to their destinations and to prevent the employment of mariners who resort to presenting fake credentials to shipping companies," the PCG said in an article posted on its website. Citing statistics from MARINA, the Coast Guard said that 85 percent of sea mishaps in the country had been attributed to human error. PCG Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo directed the PCG Maritime Safety Office to coordinate with MARINA and PRC to develop the database. He said the database will include the names and qualifications of all commercial ships’ officers such as Captains, Chief Mates, Chief Engineers and other licensed merchant mariners, and those who have been involved in maritime incidents. "The PCG with the powers to board and inspect vessels and its crew under RA 9993 considers the data base as a helpul tool to evaluate the competence of the ship’s crew and preventing unlicensed mariners to engage in maritime transport operations," the PCG said. In pushing for the database, the PCG recalled the collision between M/V Catalyn-B and F/B Anatalia in December 2009, where the Board of Marine of Inquiry found the license of one of the patrons involved was fake. Such a database will also strengthen the position of the PCG in its campaign against colorum vessels which it said are sometimes manned by unqualified or unlicensed boat captains and seafarers. Tamayo urged local shipping executives to closely examine and even validate the qualifications of marine officers whose credntials they doubt. He said similar scrutiny must be given to prospective applicants, particularly their length of experience in ship’s operations as well as their performance track records. He said he expects this initiative to significantly help protect the lives of the riding public who are dependent on the country's marine transportation system. — TJD, GMA News Online