MARINA suspends 22 Shuttle vessels

CEBU, Philippines - Twenty-two passenger-cargo vessels of Asian Marine Transport Corp. were ordered suspended by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) after one of its vessels, the MV Super Shuttle Ferry 15, experienced engine failure and ran aground in shallow waters off the town of Merida in Leyte Tuesday last week.

MARINA officer-in-charge Acasio Conti, in his order dated August 24, 2012, stated the suspension of the vessels will be in effect until it will be ascertained that the company’s Safety Management System (SMS) is still effectively functioning.

MARINA will be conducting a reinspection on the company’s 20 MV Super Shuttle ferries and two MV Super Shuttle RORO vessels.

A shipping company official who was contacted by The Freeman refused to comment on the suspension order, saying he is not authorized to speak on the matter.

The order also directed the officers and crew of the ship to explain and show cause in writing, within 72 hours from receipt, why the certificate of public convenience (CPC) of the vessel should not be suspended or revoked.

MV Super Shuttle Ferry 15’s CPC was issued on June 2005 and is valid until June 2020.

The shipping company is also directed to coordinate with the MARINA’s Maritime Regional Office-7 or the nearest Maritime regional offices where the ships are located for the immediate conduct of additional International Safety Management (ISM) audit and reinspection.

MARINA-7 Information Officer Jose Cabatingan said that their personnel have already conducted initial inspection on the vessels but they have not received the report yet as of yesterday afternoon.

MARINA also ordered the suspension of the Seafearer’s Identification Record Book and Qualification Document Certificate of the officers performing watch keeping duties at the time of the incident as well as the Safety Certificate of MV Super Shuttle Ferry 15.

A hearing on the matter is set for Sept. 11, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the MARINA-7 office at Pier 1 in Cebu City. /MBG - THE FREEMAN