The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said it is committed to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipino seafarers around the world as it celebrated the Day of the Filipino Seafarer on Tuesday, June 25.
Marina Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan said that Filipino seafarers are the “backbone of global maritime industry”.
The Philippines has long been recognized as among, if not the world’s leading supplier of seafarers, numbering to around 400,000 in 2022.
“Ang kaligtasan sa karagatan ay isang mahalagang aspeto na hindi dapat ipagwalang-bahala. Sa bawat paglalayag, kinakailangan ang matinding pagsasanay, tamang kagamitan, at ang patuloy na pagsunod sa mga pamantayang pangkaligtasan upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga marino at ng kanilang mga barkong sinasakyan (Safety at sea is an important aspect that should not be taken for granted. There should be rigorous training, correct equipment, and continuous observance of safety measures to ensure the safety of our seafarers and their vessels in their every travel),” Malaluan said.
“Safety is not just a protocol but a culture that must be ingrained in every maritime professional,” she added.
The Day of the Seafarer is an annual celebration designated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that aims to recognize the significant contributions of seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society.
In the Philippines, it is commemorated every 25th of June pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 183 series of 2011.
The theme for this year’s celebration was “Navigating the Future: Safety First #SafetyTipsAtSea” which, according to Malaluan, reminded them of the paramount importance of safety in shipping.
Recent global incidents pose a risk to the safety of Filipino seafarers. In the past months, at least four merchant ships were attacked by Houthi rebels from Yemen in the Red Sea.
Houthi forces hijacked cargo ship Galaxy Leader on November 19, 2023 and took hostage 25 crew members, including 17 Filipino seafarers.
On March 11 this year, Houthi fired an anti-ship ballistic missile which targeted M/V True Confidence with 13 Filipino seafarers onboard. Two of them were killed.
On June 12, Houthi forces attacked Liberian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Tutor with 22 Filipino crew members onboard. One of them went missing while the remaining 21 others were repatriated. The ship has sunk, making the rescue of the Filipino crew more difficult.
On June 23, Houthi rebels reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack on Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned bulk cargo carrier M/V Transworld Navigator while it was cruising in the Red Sea. There were 27 Filipino crew members onboard but the ship managed to continue sailing to a safe port despite the damage it sustained, and all the seafarers were safe.
Malaluan said the Marina ensures the competence and competitiveness of Filipino maritime professionals through proper training and compliance with international conventions, particularly the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).
She commended the Filipino seafarers for their “world-class skills and unequaled attitude and work ethics.”
“Your dedication, commitment and [indefatigable] spirit are commendable. Always remember that you are one of the essential global workers contributing significantly to the growth and sustainability of the world economy. You bring pride and honor to our nation through your professionalism and outstanding work,” she said.
Malaluan encouraged the Filipino seafarers to continue upholding the highest standards of safety at all times “not only to protect lives and property at sea but also to preserve the excellent reputation of Filipino seafarers worldwide.”
“Rest assured that the Marina will continue to protect your interest, your continued employment, and maintain the Philippines’ position as the leading provider of seafarers in the world,” she said.