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The Maritime Industry Authority has started the comprehensive safety audit on domestic carrier Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. following the recent sinking of one of its roll-on/roll-off ferries
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Aside from inspecting vessels, MARINA will also conduct a review and validation of the domestic carrier’s systems, including the responsibilities of its officials, staff, and offices
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MARINA will review in particular Aleson Shipping Lines’ ship management system, a structured and documented system enabling the company personnel to effectively implement the company’s safety and environmental protection policy
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has started the comprehensive safety audit on domestic carrier Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc., whose entire fleet has been grounded following the recent sinking of one of its roll-on/roll-off ferries.
“Ang isinasagawa nating comprehensive safety audit ay isang malalim at masusing pagsisiyasat upang matukoy ang ugat ng mga pagkukulang at matiyak na ang lahat ng barkong papayagang bumiyahe ay ligtas, sumusunod sa regulasyon, at maayos ang safety management systems (SMS),” MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan said in a statement.
(The safety audit being undertaken is a comprehensive and detailed review intended to determine the roots of the operational gaps and ensure that all ships given permit to sail are safe and compliant to regulations, and has sound safety management systems.)
The audit is led by MARINA officer-in-charge (OIC) deputy administrator for operations Engr. Emmanuel Carpio and Maritime Safety Service OIC-director Engr. Divinagracia Tolosa, together with the agency’s International Safety Management safety auditors.
Aside from inspecting Aleson Shipping Lines’ vessels, Malaluan said MARINA will also conduct a review and validation of the domestic carrier’s systems, including the responsibilities of its officials, staff, and offices.
MARINA is reviewing Aleson Shipping Lines’ SMS, which refers to a structured and documented system enabling the company personnel to effectively implement the company’s safety and environmental protection policy.
Under MARINA Circular No. 2015-11, every shipping company operating ships in Philippine waters should develop, adopt and implement a SMS compliant with the standards set by the International Maritime Organization’s International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
The audit of Aleson Shipping Lines’ vessels was directed by Acting Transport secretary Giovanni Lopez following the sinking of Zamboanga City-based Aleson Shipping Lines’ vessel, MV Trisha Kerstin 3, on January 26, leaving at least 19 dead and 10 others still missing. Another 316 were rescued.
The roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry was en route to Jolo, Sulu from Zamboanga City when it sank in waters near Basilan.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered the grounding of Aleson Shipping Lines’ passenger fleet and the conduct of a full-blown investigation into the incident.
Lopez also ordered the conduct of a comprehensive compliance monitoring and inspection of the country’s entire domestic fleet to “establish a formal inventory classifying vessels and operators into high-risk, moderate-risk, and low risk.”
READ: MARINA to undertake comprehensive check of all domestic ships
MARINA Enforcement Service director and spokesperson Luisito Delos Santos earlier said a risk-based approach in monitoring ship operators’ safety and security compliance will allow MARINA – with its limited manpower – to focus on high-risk vessels and operators.
He added that MARINA – acknowledging “existing controls and routine oversight are no longer sufficient” – will come up with a more proactive and risk-based approach to maritime safety regulation and enforcement, adding this means preventing accidents through intensified safety audits, more frequent and targeted inspections of high-risk vessels and operators, and stricter accountability for shipowners and managers.
