September 2017

Maritime Review (Sep-Oct 2017 Issue)

This issue’s cover features the PCG’s Parola class patrol boat, Multi-Role Response Vessel BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401). Photo courtesy of PCG.

Feature Story: Pcg Foundation Anniversary by VADM Emilio C. Marayag, Jr. AFP (Ret). Also in this issue: Maritime Conference 2017 Synthesis by Vicky Viray-Mendoza; The Haunting Fake News by COMMO Carlos L. Agustin AFP (Ret); Terrorist Safe Havens Are In The Mind, And Cannot Be Beaten Militarily by Anders Corr; Philippine Register of Shipping: Safety Drive; Meet PCG’s New Officer-In-Charge; and many more.


PCG Foundation Anniversary

The nation and its maritime community join the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in commemorating its founding anniversary in October. Originally created as a civilian bureau in 1901 by the United States, the organization assumed its military character in 1967 by virtue of Republic Act 5173. It used to be one of the Philippine Navy’s major units until its separation in…


Meet PCG’s New Officer-in-Charge

Commodore Joel Sarsiban Garcia PCG, PhD, HD, Al-Haj is a graduate of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) and took up Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, major in Navigational Science. He is currently taking up Bachelor of Laws, Facultad De Derecho Civil, Royal & Pontifical at the University of Santo Tomas. He is a Doctor of Philosophy in Public…


Maritime Conference 2017 Synthesis

The Maritime Conference 2017 was held on 12-July-2017. It was organized by the Maritime League led by its President Commo. Carlos L. Agustin (AFP Ret), and co-sponsored by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources led by its Director Commo. Eduardo Gongona (AFP Ret). The conference took place in partnership with the PhilMarine 2017 organized by Fireworks…


The Haunting Fake News

As I was thinking of how to start this topic, I came across an article written by Cheyenne MacDonald for the London Daily Mail (based on a study published in the journal Geology) that was forwarded to me about 6 months ago (I have a file on things of interest) on The Five Great Extinction Events: Five times, a vast…


Proceedings of 123rd Maritime Forum

The 123rd Maritime Forum was held at the NDCP last 30-June-2017, 0800-1200H. The Maritime Forum is one of the activities the Maritime League, “a non­profit Filipino maritime foundation was established in 1990 to address the need for an organization, which will help spur progress in the maritime sector and advance the interest of the maritime profession and the maritime industry…



Terrorist Safe Havens Are In The Mind, And Cannot Be Beaten Militarily

Counterterrorism operations today often entail attempts to remove territorial “safe havens” for Islamic extremism. This is seen in fights against the Islamic State in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and most recently, the Philippines. These fights are often government-led sieges of cities, like Raqqa, Mosul, and Marawi, where Islamic State has taken control, or at least has a strong presence. But by…


OPV: The Answer to Maritime Security in the GCC Region

The versatile offshore patrol vessel may prove to be a vital solution to the diverse maritime threats in the GCC (Gulf Cooperating Council) Region. GULF ARAB STATES face significant challenges today, ranging from a slump of oil prices to rising incidents of domestic terrorism. However, the critical need for maritime security is one that is given precedence because of a…


The US and North Korea: Peace in the Asia-Pacific?

During the past two weeks, events on the international scene particularly within the Asia-Pacific arena, provided an uncanny (but welcome) reprise of FVR’s younger days, which led this columnist to ask, “Does history really repeat itself?” In answer, allow us to share with our readers some personal landmarks along life’s journey. Indeed, history does in this particular episode, but hopefully,…


Crowdsourced Bathymetry: Supporting Progress or Threatening Security

For the past few decades, the world experienced a big shift on how information is gathered and disseminated. The internet became a connection which is virtually unlimited. Today, it is norm to have free information – something which is uncommon during the days prior to the conception of the internet. Almost every information is already posted in the world wide…


First Remotely Operated Commercial Vessel Demonstrated in Copenhagen

Rolls-Royce and towage operator Svitzer have successfully demonstrated what they claim to be the world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel in Copenhagen Harbour, Denmark. One of Svitzer´s tugs, the 28m Svitzer Hermod, safely conducted a number of remotely controlled maneuvers, operated from the quay side in Copenhagen Harbour by the vessel’s captain, stationed at the ship’s remote base at Svitzer…


BISON C-Lift P32 Creates New Container Logistics Possibilities

BISON, the container tech company, this week launched the C-Lift P32, a portable container lift system that equips shipping, logistics and military operators to lift containers in any location. Recognizing that conventional container handling equipment is typically big, heavy and expensive, BISON has introduced a compact, portable and more economic alternative aimed at extending the benefits of intermodal logistics to…


Philippine Register of Shipping Safety Drive

The Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS), the country’s first and largest classification society, has embarked on a rebranding while expanding its services to support its aim of safer shipping and increase its client base in the growing domestic fleet. Engr. William Hernandez, president of Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS), says the service expansion is to meet the demand from the…


Transas Survival Craft Simulator Eliminates Drill Risks

Transas has introduced a new Survival Craft Simulator (SCS) to prepare crew for the multitude of possible scenarios that can occur during lifeboat drills, aiming to address one of the most notorious sources of accidents in shipping without exposing personnel to physical danger. Effective survival craft training is essential to prepare crew for a disaster at sea but practical lifeboat…


5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Reduce Your Ship’s Fuel Consumption and Emissions

Just 16 of the world’s largest ships are still producing as much sulphur pollution as all the world’s cars! So, what’s the key to ‘green shipping’? How do we reduce fuel consumption & emissions? Here we share the top 5 technologies that the largest shipping companies across the globe are using to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of their operations,…


Seahorses in the Philippines

There are 54 species worldwide of marine fishes called the Seahorse belonging to the genus Hippocampus, of which 14 species are known to live in Southeast Asian waters, and 10 species are known to inhabit Philippine waters. “Hippocampus” comes from two ancient Greek words, hippos meaning “horse,” and kampos meaning “sea monster.” The Seahorse has a head and neck with…