MV Baleno 9 (December 2009)

Baleno 9 and Catalyn B-Anatalia: 
Questioning the reality of recent maritime disasters

 

By 2nd Officer Cecilio C. Ramirez

       Senator Dick Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee zeroed in and enlightened us on the situation when he asked the maritime officials; “Did we put the lives of people to someone who was not a certificated master mariner?” Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dec. 30, 2009. 

     
Like his officers, master mariners are licensed. A master mariner is one who passed a PRC licensure examination, qualifying him to hold such an office. He is licensed to take command and be the master of any merchant ship of any gross tonnage upon the waters of any sea or ocean. A real master mariner would not waste his time taking command on board a small vessel, except, of course, when the wage is right.

       The “missing” (?) Captain Jimmy Andal could not be a certified master mariner. He might be a major patron or a minor patron.  Major or minor patrons are mariners with several years of experience who should have passed  the PRC licensure examinations in order for them to take charge, as captain and chief mate on board smaller vessels such as tug or ferry boats, respectively. These vessels ply along rivers, lakes, and nearby islands with relatively shorter duration of navigation. 

  

    Marina chairman Elena Bautista, “backed-up” by Captain Nelson Ramirez, said that an experienced seaman was allowed to man 119-ton vessels such as the Baleno 9.

         Was it the same case with FV Anatalia and the power-driven ferry boat M/V Catalyn B, Ma’am?

    Why and how could a mere seaman with some experiences allowed to man (?) even small vessels, Madame Bautista and Capt. Ramirez? Imagine what happens on a busy day along EDSA when someone, though knowing well how to drive, but doesn’t know anything about the “rules of the road” and the traffic signs? For the sake of safety, what government agency must give this uncertified driver the proper examination(s)?

   In the same manner, there must be some proper government agency to give training and examinations to an aspiring seaman. The examination should include the RULES OF THE ROAD AT SEA, including safety navigational watch, cargo handling (e.g., human cargoes), and plotting his boat’s position at regular time intervals. These should qualify a seafarer to become a major or a minor patron, and be able to navigate a smaller vessel safely from the point of departure to the point of arrival. He, himself, is now safe at his own hands. He understands now and implements well, by heart, the 38 Rules of the “International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea” as follows:

  Rule 18

Responsibilities between Vessels

Except where Rule 9, 10, and 13 otherwise require:
(a)    a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of

1. a vessel not under command;
2. a vessel restricted in her ability to  maneuver;
3. a vessel engaged in fishing;
4. a sailing vessel.

  

Are log book entries true and correct? Log book entries are most useful especially in marine inquiries.

     By the way, Senator Gordon’s words--“Did we put the lives of people to someone who was not a certificated master mariner?”

     

In the final analysis, who are these “we”?

These “we” are the very ones to blame in all sea tragedies.

Stand-by engines!