by Barista Uno | Dec 7, 2012 | Manning and Training
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. (more…)
by Barista Uno | Jun 26, 2012 | Manning and Training
Good ole Far East maritime training
Three Saturdays ago, we paid our first visit to Far East Maritime Foundation Inc‘s (FEMFI) training complex in Naic, Cavite, just south of Manila. No less than Captain Constancio Salasab, the top honcho of FEMFI, gave us a royal tour of the facility. With us was his friend and adviser of long standing, Captain Michael Cuanzon. It was mercilessly hot and humid but we didn’t mind. It’s not every day that maritime bloggers have the company of two dyed-in-the-wool captains who know that the term “seafarer” doesn’t mean quite the same as “seaman”. (more…)
by Barista Uno | Nov 28, 2011 | Manning and Training
Why is the EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) report on the Philippines being treated like some State secret? The EMSA is right not to disclose its full contents. No physician, after all, goes around telling everyone what ails his patient (the report is really a diagnosis of what’s wrong with the Philippines’ maritime education, training and certification system). But the Philippine authorities are wrong not to make the document public. Doing so has deprived the MET and manning community of the chance to help cure the sickness and is utterly unfair to Filipino seafarers. So, in the interest of Truth if nothing else, we have decided to share the document with our readers. (more…)
