MARINA has recently released an advisory on limiting the number of cadets for shipboard training onboard domestic vessels. This advisory became controversial as Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA) wants it suspended.
MARINA Advisory No. 2020-11 titled MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CADETS TO BE ACCOMMODATED FOR ON-BOARD TRAINING was published on Feb 24, 2020.
What does this advisory contain?
This advisory contains the following criteria in determining the maximum allowable number of deck and engine cadets here as follows:
Ships are at least 500GT for deck cadets. 750kW aggregate main propulsion power for engine cadets.
It must meet the minimum standards of on-board accommodation in accordance to Sec. 1, Rule IV of the DOLE D.O. No. 129 S. 2013. (Regulation 3.1 of the MLC, 2006).
Minimum Safe Manning Certificate shall reflect the total number of persons allowed onboard including cadets for shipboard training.
Cadets shall be allocated with the appropriate life–saving appliances. The ship must meet minimum occupational safety and health protection. This in pursuant to the MLC 2006 Regulation 4.3.
Cadets must be closely supervised and monitored by qualified officers. There shall be at least 1 officer for every cadet aboard ships which the seagoing service is performed.
Shipping companies are required to incorporate cadets in all activities and programs relative to on board training plan in their SMS.
If cadets for shipboard training exceeds..
If the cadets on board domestic ships exceeds the maximum allowable number, then there must be a dedicated training officer subject to compliance in the above criteria.
This is what the shipping companies needs to comply if they want to exceed the maximum allowed number of cadets in their respective ships.
Loopholes
One of the loopholes found by PISA is that there will be a “minimal turn-over of cadet shipboard trainees in the country and the future availability of deck and engine officers in the domestic shipping industry”-Manila Times
Data from CHED shows that there are 17, 634 maritime graduates in school year 2017-2018. The list on MARINA advisory only accommodates 450 deck cadets and 576 engine cadets.
Other loophole is that there are only two PISA members on the list (refer to Annex A). Other PISA members are not in the list because they have shipboard training agreements with maritime schools.
Further Reading:
- MARINA Advisory 2020-11
- MARINA Advisory 2019-21
- Shipowners want suspension of advisory limiting cadets for shipboard training
- MARINA Circular No. 2012-06