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Filipino seafarers call for probe into practices that jeopardise safety
来源： 编辑：编辑部 发布：2018/11/29 09:14:32
UNITED Filipino Seafarers is calling on the Philippines' Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to create a safety action plan to reduce the risk of maritime accidents and to investigate allegations that the shipping industry is corruptly turning a blind eye to rule breaking.
UFS president Nelson Ramirez gave the example of discovering irregularities upon his inspection with the authorities over the years of the vessels of Sulpicio Lines in Cebu, where he found that the plimsoll mark had been altered to make the vessel appear seaworthy, reported the Manila Bulletin.
"During the time of [MARINA] Administrator [Vic] Suazo, he emphasised the necessity of compulsory checking of the plimsoll mark every year because there are dodgy shipowners who are changing it, so they can load more cargoes and elude paying mandatory fees without considering the welfare of the passengers," said Mr Ramirez.
Merchant ships have markings on their hulls known as the plimsoll line/mark - officially known as the international load line - which indicates the maximum limit for loading ships.
The UFS leader further alleged that most domestic shipping companies do not adhere to the rules for properly lashing rolling cargoes aboard their ships.
"This is a clear negligence of safety precautions. When the ship sails out to sea, it encounters external forces, which result in some forms of motions. These motions are threats especially for those ships, which require cargo lashing and securing it on the open deck. And authorities are too blind to see these shortcomings," he said.
Mr Ramirez, a marine engineer, claimed that MARINA is allowing shipping companies to get away with such practices in contravention of the authority's plans and programmes to ensure the safety of ships and passengers at sea.
"I insist that if MARINA is true to their word to create a policy and craft a maritime safety action plan intending to reduce maritime accidents, they must start investigating this mess," Mr Ramirez said.
He again alleged some MARINA officials connive with local shipping companies regarding the ship registry.
"As long as there are corrupt and crooked local shipowners, maritime accidents are looming to happen," Mr Ramirez warned.
In addition, the UFS president alleged that the gross tonnage (GRT) of ships is being lowered from its original tonnage to avoid paying tonnage tax, wharfage charges or port fees to the authorities, which according to him, is a "clear case of economic sabotage due to government revenue losses."
UFS president Nelson Ramirez gave the example of discovering irregularities upon his inspection with the authorities over the years of the vessels of Sulpicio Lines in Cebu, where he found that the plimsoll mark had been altered to make the vessel appear seaworthy, reported the Manila Bulletin.
"During the time of [MARINA] Administrator [Vic] Suazo, he emphasised the necessity of compulsory checking of the plimsoll mark every year because there are dodgy shipowners who are changing it, so they can load more cargoes and elude paying mandatory fees without considering the welfare of the passengers," said Mr Ramirez.
Merchant ships have markings on their hulls known as the plimsoll line/mark - officially known as the international load line - which indicates the maximum limit for loading ships.
The UFS leader further alleged that most domestic shipping companies do not adhere to the rules for properly lashing rolling cargoes aboard their ships.
"This is a clear negligence of safety precautions. When the ship sails out to sea, it encounters external forces, which result in some forms of motions. These motions are threats especially for those ships, which require cargo lashing and securing it on the open deck. And authorities are too blind to see these shortcomings," he said.
Mr Ramirez, a marine engineer, claimed that MARINA is allowing shipping companies to get away with such practices in contravention of the authority's plans and programmes to ensure the safety of ships and passengers at sea.
"I insist that if MARINA is true to their word to create a policy and craft a maritime safety action plan intending to reduce maritime accidents, they must start investigating this mess," Mr Ramirez said.
He again alleged some MARINA officials connive with local shipping companies regarding the ship registry.
"As long as there are corrupt and crooked local shipowners, maritime accidents are looming to happen," Mr Ramirez warned.
In addition, the UFS president alleged that the gross tonnage (GRT) of ships is being lowered from its original tonnage to avoid paying tonnage tax, wharfage charges or port fees to the authorities, which according to him, is a "clear case of economic sabotage due to government revenue losses."