The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is instituting new measures starting in 2010 to minimize loss of lives during sea mishaps.

Among these measures are requiring passenger vessels to use snap-on lifejackets starting Jannuary 1 to replace those with strings and laces which are harder to put on according to Marina Administrator Ma. Elena Bautista.

The use of new lifejackets is in accordance with the international safety standards, she said.

The review of lifejackets used on passenger vessels was recommended by Bautista after the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars in June 21, 2008 off Sibuyan Island in Romblon wherein more than 800 passengers and crew were killed.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) has been also pushing for the phaseout of aging Roll-on and Roll-off (RoRo) vessels plying the domestic waters estimated to be more or less 200 in number.

DoTC Undersecretary for Maritime Thompson Lantion said the aging ships should be replaced with new ones, especially the 34-year-old ships.

With regard to fishing vessels, Bautista said that the Philippines has been preparing for the implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) as well as the Torremolinos protocol (solas for fishing).

But Bautista said the fishing industry “is not keen” with the implementation these policies.

“There have been some Marina regional directors who underwent seminars regarding the implementation of such policies but there has been resistance from the fishing industry,” Bautista said.

Marina wants to subject fishing boats to safety regulations and basic safety training for persons on board, Bautista said as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) “has no competency to check safety of small fishing boats.”

“BFAR registers them and gives permit to fish but doesn’t check on safety regulations and qualifications,” Bautista said.

“Small fishing boats are registered with BFAR not Marina and BFAR has no competency to check safety of boats with regard to their design, equipment etc. as well as the training of their crew,” Bautista said.

“They (crew of small fishing boats) understand rules on the sea. Paano umiwas, sino ang may right of way, saan lilihis, ano ang mga warning signs,” she added.

Sea mishaps have claimed a number of lives before the end of 2009.

Less than 72 hours after the sinking of a passenger boat off Limbones Island in Cavite on Christmas Eve, another sea tragedy occurred in the Southern Tagalog region when a Roll-on Roll off (RORO) passenger vessel capsized off Verde Island in Batangas. (With a report from John Carlo Cahinhinan)