| MMAP
Seeks to Unify Industry
The Masters and Mates Association
of the Philippines (MMAP) marked its 31st year on February 17, 2006 with
a clear goal in sight – spearhead the formation of a council or task force
of maritime leaders to address the pressing matters, particularly the shortage
of competent ship officers, and ensure that the country remains as the
top provider of seafarers for the world’s merchant marine fleet.
MMAP tackled the issue during its
7th Merchant Marine Officers Conference held at the Amosup Convention Hall
in Intramuros, Manila, coinciding with the organization’s 31st anniversary
celebration.
Commo. Adonis B. Donato, President
of MMAP said that some ship manning agents in the country have turned down
offers from their principals to provide Filipino seafarers for additional
vessels because not enough senior officers are available to man the new
tonnage. “It is definitely a lost opportunity and the situation could even
go from bad to worse if we do not provide drastic measures to increase
the number of our senior officers,” Commo. Donato warned.
The MMAP President observed that
the industry is fragmented and many groups have their own plans, most of
which are self-serving.
“The industry leaders should get
their acts together and consolidate it into a master plan as soon as possible.
We are already facing a crisis of significant proportion and we should
address it to make sure that Filipino seafarers remain the top choice of
foreign shipowners,” points out Commo. Donato.
“We should come up with a council
or task force of maritime leaders involving the various stakeholders including
shipping and manning companies, government maritime agencies, maritime
schools and training centers, and the seafarer themselves,” says Commo.
Donato.
“MMAP will spearhead this undertaking.
Otherwise, we might end up waiting for a long time for somebody to take
charge while leaving the problem hanging. Anyway, the masters are well-prepared
and are often the brains in addressing crisis solutions,” enthuses the
MMAP President, who also sits as Vice President of the Filipino Association
for Mariners’ Employment (FAME).
“But we need the cooperation of
the marine engineers and the ratings, and we call upon all the other sectors
to join us in this undertaking because time is of the essence,” cited Commo.
Donato.
Also during the MMAP conference,
a significant number of manning agents and seafarers have rejected the
implementation of the Management Level Course (MLC), saying that the new
training requirement will further contribute to the shortage of senior
officers.
MLC is a new 240-hour training program
requirement developed by the Maritime Training Council for ship officers
intended to bridge their knowledge in assuming responsibilities from junior
to senior officer posts. |
|
NEWS & FEATURES
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Officers Just Lack the Motivation or Finances to Upgrade Licenses
By Arianne Blanche R. Rodriguez
‘Bill of Rights’ for the World’s
Seafarers Adopted
Evergreen Ship Rescues 3 Pinoy
Fishermen from Sinking Boat
PPA Clarifies Position on
Foreign Investment in Ports
Prolific Manning Agencies Honored
MMAP Seeks to Unify Industry
Tanker Unknowingly Drags Missile
Diñoso’s Leadership Wins
Support of PMMA Stakeholders
Treading towards Maritime Development
Contribute your ideas online!
Express your opinion!
You can now
any discussion on seafarer's issues anytime or anywhere you are with
Usapang
Marino
(Seafarer's
Forum)
at URL: http://www.ufs.ph/phpBB2
Need a break?
Participate in seafarer’s
sports while in Rotterdam and Antwerp?
ISS/ICSW, in cooperation
with Friends of UFS in Rotterdam, has initiated a host of sports activities
for seafarers calling ports in Rotterdam and Antwerp. For more information,
contact Jorg Pfautsch, telephone number 0032-478-292469, or UFS-Rotterdam
at 010-4668300. |
THE
SEAMAN’S CHURCH INSTITUTE OF NY & NJ
International Seafarers’
Center
118 Export Street, Port
Newark,
New Jersey 07114
TELEPHONE (973) 589-5828
FAX (973) 8565
WE WELCOME YOU!
– MON - FRI 8:30 AM to10
PM
– SATURDAY 4 to10 PM
– SUNDAY 4 to 10 PMFree
Transportation to the center / Worship service, prayer meetings, and counseling
is provided aboard ship by request, and the Mariner’s Chapel / Cross &
Anchor calling cards – low rates for domestic and international calls ($10
and $20 cards available) / Books, Bibles, magazines, religious materials,
trucker resources, and used clothing / Postal services (U.S. mail, priority
/ express mail, Fedex) available / Money orders and money gram services
to all countries / Cash remittance to the Philippines / Internet access,
email services, faxes / Sports & Entertainment–large screen TV, ping
pong, darts, billiards, soccer, basketball, and video games / Fitness Center
/ Shower–no charge for seafarers / Gift Shop–candy, greeting cards, soda,
souvenirs, health and beauty products, clothing / New Jersey Gardens–the
largest outlet mall in NJ just 15 minutes away / Bus service is available
/ Balikbayan box shopping, UPS / Restaurant / Bar–Breakfast, lunch, and
dinner.
Serving the ports of Newark,
Elizabeth, Jersey City, Bayonne, Port Reading, Kearny, Linden, Carteret,
Perth Amboy, Staten Island, and Brooklyn |
NOTICE TO THE
PUBLIC
Rolly Pagaspas is not
in any way connected with the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS). He was assigned
as event director during the 1st UFS National Summit last September 2004
but he disappeared two days before the event. Any transaction entered into
by Mr. Pagaspas will not be honored by UFS. |
