FOLLOWING a string of incidents involving some of its vessels, two ships operated by Jomalia Shipping Inc. were given the clearance to sail again after they were able to comply with government safety requirements.
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) 7 lifted its suspension on Jomalia’s mv Mika Mari 6, a roll on-roll off passenger ship which figured in a cargo truck slippage incident at the Danao City port on July 15, 2019, and the company’s LCT Giok Chong which was grounded on Jan. 21, 2020.
“The two vessels are now operational since they were able to comply with the safety findings. They were able to correct it but the administrative cases that were filed are still up for resolution,” Marina 7 Director Marc Anthony Pascua said on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 in Tagalog.
However, Jomalia could still pay a fine or have its certificate of public convenience suspended depending on results of an administrative investigation launched by Marina 7 on whether the company committed any lapses which resulted in the incidents.
Pascua explained that the suspension of the vessels’ safety certificates and the conduct of a casualty investigation were just the initial steps to address the maritime incidents.
To determine if the company committed any lapses, an administrative investigation was launched by the Marina 7.
“They can still pay a penalty. Whether or not we amend or cancel yung CPC (certificate of public convenience) depends on the gravity of the case,” he added.
The Marina 7 recommended a further safety investigation and the implementation of on-board safety precautionary measures for mv Mika Mari 6, while an underwater inspection was conducted by the agency on LCT Giok Chong after the incident last January.
Meanwhile, Jomalia’s mv Mika Mari 8, which tilted on its side at Consuelo Port, Camotes Island, on Aug. 31, 2019 still remained on dry dock.
Earlier this week, the Marina 7 decided to inspect and audit all the ships operated by Jomalia after the engine of another vessel, mv Mika Mari 3, conked out in the waters off the Camotes Islands on March 2, 2020. The Marina 7 immediately suspended the operation of mv Mika Mari 3.
On Oct. 27, 2019, mv Mika Mari 3 also ran aground about 200 meters off Consuelo Port.
“We call it an audit because we need to audit their system as a company because these incidents already seem to be systemic,” Pascua said in Tagalog. (WBS)