Manila: The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is set to intensify safety audits and increase the frequency of vessel inspections as part of efforts to bolster maritime safety regulations and enforcement, aiming for safer sea travel across the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, MARINA Enforcement Service Director Luisito 'Lui' Delos Santos highlighted the urgent need for these measures during an online press conference on Wednesday. The recent sinking of M/V Trishia Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters has brought to light serious and systemic safety challenges within the nation's maritime transport sector.
Delos Santos emphasized that incidents like the one involving M/V Trishia Kerstin 3, which occurred even in fair weather conditions, underscore that safety risks extend beyond weather-related factors. They also point to issues with vessel seaworthiness, maintenance practices, operational discipline, and safety management systems.
To tackle these challenges, MARINA is adopting a 'more proactive, risk-based approach' to maritime safety regulation and enforcement. This involves implementing earlier interventions, including intensified safety audits, more frequent and targeted inspections of high-risk vessels and operators, and enforcing stricter accountability for shipowners and managers.
"Our objective is straightforward: to prevent avoidable tragedies, protect lives at sea, and restore public confidence by ensuring that safety is never treated as optional in domestic shipping," Delos Santos stated.
Aleson Shipping Lines (ASL), the owner of the ill-fated MV Kerstin 3, has been involved in 32 recorded maritime mishaps since 2019, including the recent sinking in Basilan, according to data from MARINA. In response, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the grounding of ASL's entire passenger fleet on Tuesday. This decision is part of a joint investigation and safety audit being conducted by MARINA and the Philippine Coast Guard.
So far, 316 individuals have been rescued from MV Kerstin 3, while the bodies of 18 casualties have been recovered. However, ten people, including eight crew members, the ship captain, and a Philippine Coast Guard marshal, remain missing.
