THE Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)has adopted a Ship Safety Inspection System (SSIS) and a manual for its implementation. The move follows the recent transfer of the ship inspection and certificate of inspection (CI) issuance functions from the Philippine Coast Guard to MARINA under the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004.
MARINA said SSIS will help foster a systematic, uniform and effective conduct of ship safety inspection of all registered domestic ships.
The system was implemented even after the PCG questioned MARINA's capability to handle vessel safety inspections since it does not have the manpower and corresponding facilities. PCG earlier feared there might be a bottleneck in the CI issuance in areas with high vessel volume.
The maritime agency noted the SSIS and its manual would serve as guide for its inspectors in the conduct of ship inspections prior to the issuance of ship safety
certificates.
The MARINA will also supervise, coordinate and provide guidance or resolution in the implementation of the SSIS and the manual, including its periodic review or
evaluation.
Meanwhile, the maritime regulator said the status quo will remain as far as maritime safety implementation is concerned until such time that it, together with the PCG, comes up with a concrete delineation of functions.
Also under the approved implementing guidelines of RA 9295, MARINA ordered that "all ships must be in seaworthy condition at all times as to their hull and machinery, properly outfitted with adequate navigational aids and equipment, firefighting, life-saving, communication and other safety equipment, operated and maintained in accordance with prescribed standards, and manned by duly licensed and competent ship crew."
