MARINA's WORST NIGHTMARE
By MYRA LOPEZ
IMO hits confusing laws, rules and regulations in implementing
IMO-STCW Convention.
VARIOUS groups in the maritime industry, particularly
the more than 200,000 seafarers and hundreds of manning agencies and maritime
schools and training institutes all over the country, have thrown the monkey
wrench on the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) after learning that
it allegedly bungled its role in facilitating the Philippines' inclusion
in the so- called "White List" of the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) of countries that complied with the revised Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. FULL
STORY
Panama lifts TCC requirement
By ARTHUR SALAGAN
UFS scores another victory for Filipino seafarers!
Indeed, thousands of Filipino seafarers onboard Panama-registered
vessels can now heave a sigh of relief. Reason: The government of Panama
has lifted its order requiring seafarers to secure a temporary certificate
of competency or a TCC before boarding a Panama-registered ship.
The lifting of the TCC was contained in a memorandum officially
transmitted by Panama to the Philippine government on Jan. 2.
UFS president Nelson P. Ramirez said the cancellation
of the TCC means a lot of savings, in time and money, to Filipino seafarers
who are on board Panama-registered vessels. He estimated the number to
run into tens of thousands as there are more than 6,000 Panama-registered
ships.
FULL STORY
2 Filipino Seafarers jailed, harassed in Iran for 2
years are home finally!
By MYRA LOPEZ
Now reunited with their families, Longkines and Enero
are only too happy not to brood over their Iranian experience. Both are
willing to leave the past behind and move on with a new assignment.
FINALLY, the two-year saga of sorrow and anxiety ended
for the two Filipino seafarers and their five companions who were held
in Iran for the disappearance of a foreign co-worker.
It may not be as happy an ending as a fairy tale, but
at least, it gave a big sigh of relief to the families of the two
Filipino seafarers -- C/E Rodolfo Longkines and 3rd Engr. Antonio Enero.
FULL STORY |
