Plenty of speculation as well as misinformation have attended EMSA’s (European Maritime Safety Agency) ongoing final audit of the Philippines and the threat of an EU ban on Filipino seafarers. So we’re really pleased and honoured to be interviewed by SeaShipNews, part of Singapore-based Asia Shipping Media (ASM). The article, entitled ‘The reality behind EMSA’s audit of Philippine crew institutions,’ can be read here. It should serve as a reality check for those who have been closely following the issue. It could also be a guide for folks willing to bet on the audit’s outcome. We won’t wager on it ourselves – gambling is against our religion. 🙂 ~Barista Uno
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Mr Uno forgets one thing: while an EMSA thumbs-down will directly affect the employment of Filipino seafarers on EU-flag ships, all Filipino seafarers on ships trading to EU ports will be affected, since Port State Control may create real problems over their Certificates of Competence if EMSA does not recognise them. And that will cause problems for the owners/managers of all ships with Filipino seafarers. So we all hope that the Administration takes this issue seriously and gets it sorted out – in the interest of the seafarers.
Rob, thank you for dropping by and weighing in.
I’ve already explained the scope of a hypothetical EU ban and how it would be implemented. You can verify the information with EMSA or the European Commission (EC) itself.
EU member states are bound by the decisions of the EC. It would be highly anomalous for PSC inspectors of these member states to take matters into their own hands if ever there is a ban and to crack down on ALL Filipino crews of vessels calling at EU ports. I doubt if this would happen.
You are right, Barista. The ‘BAN’ will not go through. The shipping world has already too much on its plate to add this to it.
The problem was created by STCW and the setting up of ‘Minimum Standards’. Filipino seafarers should not pay for IMO’s mistakes.
Have personal direct 1st hand experience as C/M aboard American flag ship that employed 4 Filipino “Fitters”. They never complained about anything, ever. But the ONE thing they all would agree on and uniformly state was that their “manning agency” was as corrupt as anyone could possibly be and they owed money monthly to maintain their jobs on our ship. They were paid very well under contract with my vessel’s owner, but a significant sum was owed to the corrupt owner of their agency. Sadly, they told me, this was an accepted practice everywhere. It’s what was necessary if you wanted to secure a job and stay employed.
This is an isolated case. I have been with the same agency (Phil) and never paid any fee to be employed. I suggest, he must report to POEA about this matter.
How do you know the agency name or “when” I was experiencing this situation? In fact, how can you even “defend” something about which you know absolutely nothing of??
I think the new Maritime Administrator is doing his job to the best of his capability. Meanwhile let us keep our fingers crossed while waiting for the EMSA Audit Report!
My friends here in Barista Uno’s blog,
Yes, it is true that EMSA can not ban abruptly the Filipino officers COC in Europe or anywhere if EMSA auditors will found out that Philippine Government offices, CHED, MARINA, DOLE, POEA, the private sector, JMG and FAME do not upgrade to the EMSA standards. Mind you, this government offices are doing their best to upgrade the Philippines standard of education and training beccause even if EMSA countries can not ban the Filipino COC abruptly, EMSA countries can do it slowly. Maybe in 3 years time all Filipino COC officers will be relieve by EMSA following countries. The Philippines have many schools and training centers comparable to the European standard or Japanese standard. This schools are finance by European and Japanese companies with all complete simulators. I know we will pass EMSA. Maybe we can have some minor deficiencies that can be corrected in time.
Good day, my friends.
A cynical part of me was intrigued by the way some forums are going about with this EMSA thingy. With the onset of MLC 2006, some sectors might be concerned about a jump in the cost of seafarers’ wages. Yes, you’ve read my mind, the audit might be a preemptive move…
@ Jose
I am curious to know – what has the government been doing to improve these creaking offices?
“…this government offices are doing their best to upgrade the Philippines standard…”
Certainly passing an executive order and simply re-organising departments do not count as action (there are hundreds of DOs passed by the government in the past five decades! it is the easiest thing to do!)
It would be interesting to see actual steps mentioned.
@ Barista Uno
I found the link to the article on SeaShip News interesting and relevant. I concur with most of what is written except “… “hardly 500 Filipino officers have their certificates endorsed by EU maritime administrations…”
Most ferries and passenger ships off the European coast tend to have EU flags – esp. the cruise vessels in Mediterranean and this is where the affected Filipinos work. As per Hellenic news, this number includes more than 3000 Filipinos just in the cross channel ferries off Dover. Naturally, they all need to get an endorsement for each contract (unless they actually have a CoC issued by a EU country – which is rare. Most work on them based on a Philippine CoC.
EMSA is thinking seafaring is an easy and attractive job. Good luck. Go find your seafarers. Japanese ship owners will be happy.