Central Visayas to spearhead National Maritime Week

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard– Central Visayas (PCG-CV) will spearhead the 2012 National Maritime Week Celebration starting today, September 24, until September 30 under the theme “One Hundred Years After Titanic.”

This year’s National Maritime Week celebration is focused on promoting unity among maritime stakeholders from government agencies and the private sector including shipping firms and academe.

The celebration also aims to give emphasis and value to the seafarers.

PCG–CV Deputy Commander Capt. Anelito Gabisan, in an interview with The FREEMAN, said that the maritime industry has changed so much after the famous sinking of “Titanic” in 1912 that killed over 1,000 passengers.

Gabisan said that the “Titanic” tragedy served as a wake up call for the international maritime industry that has become conscious in maritime safety and established aids in navigation such as the putting up of lighthouses, strenghtening the vessels and training for the seafarers.

To kick off the opening of the weeklong celebration, there will be simultaneous blowing of horns by all the sea vessels in Cebu, Tagbilaran and Dumaguete Cities.

Gabisan said that other activities set for the celebration will be a scubasurero in Maribago, Lapulapu City as well as in the ports of Bohol and Dumaguete through the Operation Control (OPCON) units in coordination with the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will conduct a leadership training and team building workshop for the maritime agency and stakeholders, review and training centers and other maritime institutions

There will also be a bloodletting activity at the PCG-CV headquraters at Pier 3, Cebu City and a fun run will culminate the event which will be participated in by the Coastguard, Maritime Industry Authority, Cebu Port Authority and other maritime stakeholders.

A boodle fight by heads of offices of the different maritime stakeholders including maritime schools and training centers will follow.  (FREEMAN)