|
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Marina told: Draft maritime safety plan
A CEBU City councilor is urging the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to immediately craft a clear and definitive maritime security policy and avoid conflicts with domestic shipping operators.
Councilor Edgardo Labella lamented that up to this time, Marina still does not have specific security measures for domestic ship and port operations, despite the prodding of ship owners.
The need for safe passage is a concern that Labella knows first-hand, after the councilor and his wife survived a ship sinking in 1998.
He added that most shipping and port facility operators in the country are confused about the indecisive maritime security policy since both Marina and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) claimed the crafting of a security code is not their responsibility.
“If not addressed promptly and properly, the reported cooling-off between Marina and ship and port operators caused by the unclear maritime security code may sink the vibrant shipping industry in the country,” Labella said.
In a proposed resolution, he asked Marina to immediately craft the security policy anchored on the mixed-use operations of port facilities, “so the safety of domestic ship will be enhanced at par with global standards.”
Under Republic Act 2925 or The Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004, Marina is mandated to ensure the safe operations of domestic ships and ports.
Labella also said the safety of ship and port operations should be ensured especially since around 95 percent of the transport of people and trade cargoes is coursed through seaports.
Since strict security policies are not in place yet, the Supercat Fast Ferry Corp. took the initiative to have its seven vessels accredited with the Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
Det Norske Veritas is a knowledge-based maritime organization that provides services for management risks worldwide in order to make ships and ports compliant to the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code.
But Labella said the accreditation will not result in the protection of Supercat vessels since DNV accreditation and ISPS compliance cover only ships and ports serving international voyages. (LCR)
(January 1, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
