Firm says SLI still lacks safety requirements

CEBU, Philippines – Sulpicio Lines Inc. still falls short of the safety measures required by the Maritime Industry Authority in order to resume its full operations, this according to a report submitted by the Magsaysay Shipmanagement Inc. to MARINA.

In his report, however, MSI general manager Agripino Milano Jr. clarified that the review is only the first phase of a three-phase process for the said shipping company to resume normal cargo and passenger operations following the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars off Romblon last June 21, 2008.

SLI contracted MSI on a consultancy basis in order to comply with the new ship management system set by MARINA last March.

Other MARINA requirements include the removal of the shipwreck, full payment of the insurance coverage of the sunken ship’s passengers and the retraining of the crew.

Milano, in his letter addressed to SLI Vice President Jordan Go dated last April 13, clarified that MSI conducted a review to verify if SLI’s existing safety and quality management manuals follows the International Safety Management Code 2002.

Milano added that MSI is not an ISM-certifying body so it will have to be MARINA or a MARINA-accredited certifying body who will eventually determine the completeness and compliance of the safety management system with the requirements of the code.

Milano further stated that the MARINA requirements included three phases: a review, institutionalization, and sustained implementation and maintenance of the ship management system.

“Phases 2 and 3 of our consultancy agreement are on a per-engagement basis only, we may not be able to perform these as at present, we do not have the proper resources, not to mention that we are not a certifying body, and we do not have the familiarity and actual use of system and procedures of ships we do not manage,” Milano said in his report.

Instead, Milano advised SLI to secure ISM certification from MARINA or from a MARINA-accredited certifying body.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported 57 survivors, at least 350 bodies recovered and 515 people still missing from the disaster.

SLI and its ship captain were found to be liable of the tragedy by the five-member Philippines Board of Marine Inquiry, in its 65-page report last August 25, 2008.

This is the fourth major sea tragedy involving SLI after the sinking of the M/V Doña Paz in 1987, M/V Doña Marilyn in 1988, and the M/V Princess of the Orient in 1998. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)