Guidelines for sailing of seacrafts during typhoons crafted
Vessels and motorboats engaged in short distance voyages may even if an area is placed under Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 provided the conditions stated in a proposed memo circular are “strictly satisfied.”
These conditions stipulate that the voyage shall only be from sunrise to sunset, sea condition is not rough, prevailing wind speed in the area is not more than 30 kilometers per hour or 16 knots, there is no prevailing rain shower within the origin or route of destination, and there is good visibility, allowing the route and area of destination to be seen by the naked eye from point of origin.
The circular also requires that duly licensed passenger vessels or motorboats shall only carry passengers not exceeding 75 percent of authorized passenger capacity, passengers of boats with open decks shall wear lifejackets prior to departure of vessel or motorboat and until disembarkation at point of destination, masters and boat captains shall ensure that maximum precautionary measures shall be observed in ensuring that proper lashing and stowage of cargoes loaded on board the vessel or motorboat prior to departure, there shall be a designated look-out and standby emergency boat at point of origin or destination in case assistance will needed, and there shall be a credible communication link between vessels and motorboats and designated standby motorboat and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The Coast Guard District Western Visayas presented the proposed memo circular to vessel operators, motorboat operators and other stakeholders from Guimaras and Iloilo during a consultation held recently here in order to hear their side on the interim guidelines on movement of seacraft of 1,000 gross tonnage and below engaged in short distance voyages in special areas.
It seeks to amend Memorandum Circular No. 01-09 which strictly prohibits the operations of vessels and motorboats in areas placed under public storm signal No. 1 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The debates and questions over this prohibition these past weeks here prompted the Coast Guard to recommend for an amendment to the existing guideline.
The Coast Guard will conduct a similar consultation for stakeholders from Boracay Island and Caticlan in Malay, Aklan by the end of this month.
Iloilo Strait between Guimaras and Iloilo and Tanon Strait between Aklan’s world-famous paradise island and Caticlan are the initial special areas referred to in the circular. The Coast Guard may also declare other such areas.
As used in this circular, special areas are those within bays and rivers or enclosed by natural coves or sheltered zones whose natural topographical characteristics make their sea area less vulnerable to adverse effects of the prevailing weather condition.
During last week’s consultation, local stakeholders here agreed in principle to the provisions of the proposed circular presented by Iloilo Coast Guard Station Commander Capt. Eduardo Fabricante but suggested some refinements before its final approval.
Coast Guard District Commodore William Melad said they hope to come up with the final version by December this year and have it approved as soon as possible. (PIA 6-JSC)
