FOLLOWING a recent sea accident and complaints about the conditions of some commercial vessels, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella wants the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) 7 to strictly require shipping companies to come up with safety measures.
“It seems they are so lax. They need to do more in the implementation of the safety measures,” Labella said.
Last week, Labella wrote Marina 7 head Nanette Dinopol to raise the complaints and concerns that he received from boat passengers on the conditions of some vessels, particularly those with route from Cebu to Tubigon, Bohol.
He said most of the vessels lack emergency exits, putting passengers at risk.
Crucial
Labella said the emergency exit is crucial in a ship in times of emergencies.
The air conditioning units of some of the vessels are also defective, which is worsened by cramped seating arrangement.
“It seems safety at sea is taken for granted,” Labella said.
The vice mayor was scheduled to meet Marina officials yesterday.
Labella said the incident that happened in Lauis Ledge in Talisay City last Wednesday involving MV Star Craft 9 and MV Our Lady of Faith will be among the matters that he would discuss with Marina.
“Here we go again. We have not learned our lesson in the past,” Labella said.
Labella said the Star Craft 9 was among the list of vessels that have issues about safety measures.
“We will follow up all proposed measures that will be done in the area (Lauis Ledge),” Labella said, citing safety plans that were suggested after a sea collision killed many in the area in 2013.
“Marina needs to do more in the implementation of safety measures because on road accidents, drivers involved are easily detained unlike in sea mishaps,” he said.