The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) urged 11 newly minted harbor pilots to be competitive and reliable agents in ensuring maritime safety at all Philippine ports.
The 11 new master mariners who hurdled Marina’s harbor pilot licensure examination conducted on September 12 to 14 are: Camelo B. Besario, Conrado B. Ruiz, Jr., James Roland B. Icao, Jonathan C. Abraham, Owen A. Ardiente, Roberto B. Fernandez, Romel T. Alcantara, Reynaldo P. Fernandez, Edwin O. Acosta, David G. Timario, and Richard Glenn V. Tomarong.
Former Marina administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero, in a statement dated Oct 23, urged the 11 new harbor pilots “to live up to the expectations of their noble profession, as they play a significant role in the promotion of safety of life and property at sea, as well as in the protection of coastal marine environment.”
(Two days after Guerrero issued that statement, he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte Commissioner of the Bureau of Commission to replace Isidro Lapeña.)
Marina also encouraged the new harbor pilots “to be competitive and reliable forces in ensuring maritime safety in all Philippine ports, as they will be included in the roster of 126 currently active licensed harbor pilots in over 25 districts across the country.”
The maritime authority sought their support and participation “in Marina’s current discourse in accelerating the growth of the pilotage industry.”
The Philippine Ports Authority, Marina’s sister agency, provides the number of harbor pilots that can serve a specific area. PPA also monitors the performance of harbor pilots and their compliance with documentary and other requirements, as well as their compliance with required reports as provided under PPA Administrative Order (AO) 93-85. The AO sets forth the rules and regulations governing pilotage services, the conduct of pilots, and pilotage fees at Philippine ports.
Currently, foreign and domestic ships are mandated to seek the services of harbor pilots when docking and undocking at Philippine ports.
