The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has visited what we like to call the Filipino seafarer factory at least thrice – in 2006, 2010 and 2012. So it’s not surprising that Manila folks aren’t talking about the next visit scheduled for 2013. There’s an air of complacency, with many still believing that the EU threat to withdraw recognition of Filipino crew certificates is just a bluff. Nonetheless, 2013 will be a critical point, a moment of truth, for the Philippines.
Amongst other things, the EMSA will verify if the equipment allegedly procured by certain maritime education and training (MET) institutions in the country has indeed been installed and is being used properly. It will also ascertain whether or not the Philippine authorities have addressed the deficiencies in monitoring found in 2012. The bottom-line: local MET practices should have been brought in line with the requirements of the STCW Convention.
The European Commission, to which EMSA reports, has stated in no uncertain terms that it’s still not satisfied with the reforms made by the country, significant as they may be. Its 26th November 2012 communique to EU member states said in part:
The Commission considers that the Philippines’ system for education, training and certification of seafarers does not fully comply at this stage with the requirements of the STCW Convention. In particular, Philippines’ maritime education and training institutions are not properly monitored by the administration and the STCW requirements regarding programmes, methods and media of delivery are not effectively enforced. Equally, the Commission considers that independence of assessors in the process of certification of seafarers is not yet ensured.
The new round of checks will be a good time for the Filipinos to show that they’ve put their house in order. For EMSA and the Commission, it will be an opportunity to prove that all this isn’t a charade and that they mean business. It will be a moment of truth for both sides. ~Barista Uno
I agree with the balanced comment of Baristo Uno. After all these inspections and related reports , mentioning clearly the deficiencies of the MET in the Philippines , It is time to take this issue one last step forward and if it becomes clear that the Philippine Maritime Authority , does not have its house in order and continue to supply badly trained and educated Seafarers and Officers for the world fleet , the international Maritime Safety is at risks. So indeed , again a bad report,the EU should withdraw the recognition of the Philippino Maritime Certificates.
I hope the Philippine mariner himself, along with his family, will make himself heard on this! It’s true that the world needs Filipino mariners – but equally true that the mariners need their jobs and paychecks, and the Philippines can use the remittances.
Considering the stakes, better for all around to deal with it and put it behind them for good. I’ve sailed with some fine Filipino mariners, no reason to keep these seamen out of the market when good housekeeping can solve the problem!
It would be nice to know what is this equipment allegedly procured by a certain MET institution that EMSA will verify.
I believed the Philippine Government has doing its best to met the standard in Maritime Education and Training. Knowing that one Maritime school has already closed for not complying the standard. No Filipino seafarer and even land base worker apply with out proper training, at least 2 yrs. of experience and with supporting training certificates. That is how hard to apply for an Overseas Job in the Philippines.Particularly seafarer besides from high placement fees and training fees and processing fees…
To: Reid Spraque
Thanks for the compliment regarding my fellow seafarers. The wrong perception being given and being implanted to the world especially regarding EMSA audit, is that we Filipino seafarers are incompetent and needs training, training, training. And businessmen are the one being benefited on this and poor seafarers are again suffering the burden of the costs of training and instead of being with the family, has to attend this training which is not even requirement by STCW. But the reality is that Filipino seafarers are very competent, over trained, over documented. In the recent court ruling regarding the closure of a maritime school because of the insistence of those in maritime power, they claim that unless the would be seafarers and will be trained, train, train, the European Maritime will not hire filipino seafarers anymore so our government concern has to do something. And the solution is to close down the school??? and to train, train, train our WOULD BE seafarers?? But if you will read further, the court finds the culprit as the certification processes of the Philippine maritime institutions, ched,mtc,tesda, NOT THE FILIPINO SEAFARERS. So, i believe if the certification of Filipino seafarers are not in order does not mean that the FILIPINO SEAFARERS ARE INCOMPETENT AND WILL NOT BE EMPLOYED BY EUROPEANS. therefore, Filipino seafarers can avail of other flag certificates and still can be employed by European shipowners…Again thank you for trusting my fellow filipino seafarers.