Marina requires new lifejackets

IN LIGHT of the holiday sea mishaps, maritime authorities ordered seagoing vessels to be equipped with new snap-on lifejackets to
prevent, or at least minimize loss of lives in maritime disasters.

Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) chief Maria Elena Bautista said that by January 1, these new lifejackets should replace the old lifejackets that require complicated procedures.

“International conventions require that lifejackets be easy to wear, with less thinking required. The vest should be snap-on at the front.

The present lifejackets require so many maneuvers just to be worn
securely,” Bautista said in a radio interview.

The new lifejackets must have the Marina’s logo, as well as the date of approval for easier monitoring and inspection by authorities, she added.

Lifejackets to be used in vessels that ply nighttime routes must also be equipped with emergency whistles and flashlights.

Starting January 1, we will require that the lifejackets be of the snap-on type, instead of having so many strings and laces,” she added.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) meanwhile welcomed this development.

“We are glad with this order from Marina. I think it is high-time for us to safeguard our traveling citizens. Shipping lines, whether big or small should follow suit,” commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said in a text message.

In a related development, the number of missing passengers of a
roll-on roll-off vessel M/V Baleno 9 that sank off Batangas province last weekend still stand at 44 as of Thursday morning, the Coast Guard
chief said.

An initial manifest showed there were 88 passengers and crew members aboard but the new figure cited by Tamayo indicates 123 people may have been aboard the ill-fated ship.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) identified the six fatalities as Hermie Ann Largado, 22; John Panagsagan, 40; and Jennylyn Gutierrez, 20; Johnny Mutya, 36; Lealyn Peñaranda, 19; and Gloria Angel Galanza, eight months old.

The spokesman meanwhile reassured the public of a fair and transparent investigation into the incident, after suspending two Coast Guard executives over the tragedy.

Temporarily relieved were Petty Officer 1 Danilo Sanchez, the commander of the agency’s detachment in Calapan, Mindoro; and Petty Officer 2 Rizal Maligaya, the clearing officer who received the Masters’ Oath of Safety Departure (MOSD).

Tamayo said the two will get a chance to air their side during the investigation.

“Everything will be fair and transparent. The purpose of this is not to influence the ongoing probe of the Board of Marine Inquiry,” he said.

The tragedy is the second mishap that happened on a holiday weekend.

On Christmas Eve, three people were killed while dozens went missing after MV Catalyn B collided with a fishing vessel off Limbones Island in Cavite province.(Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

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