Maritime Review (Sept – Oct 2019 Issue)
(click cover to download the magazine)
Maritime Safety
Mapping the Impact of Illicit Trade on the Sustainable Development Goals: An Executive Summary
Illicit trade and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From smuggling, counterfeiting and tax evasion, to the illegal sale or possession of goods, services, humans and wildlife, illicit trade is compromising the attainment of the UN SDGs in significant ways, crowding out legitimate economic activity, depriving governments of revenues for investment in vital public services, dislocating millions of legitimate jobs,…
New Guidance on Abduction of Crew in Sulu-Celebes Seas Released
The ReCAAP ISC has released its latest publication in 2019: “Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah.” This Guidance focuses on the incidents of abduction of crew from ships for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and in the waters off Eastern Sabah. It provides the guidance and analysis based on the information collected…
Coast Guard Presents Newly Acquired Rescue Assets
As part of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) capability development program, newly acquired rescue boats, vehicles and other equipment were presented yesterday, 30-May-2019, to beef up the agency’s readiness for the expected threats of typhoons that may hit the country this year. During the blessing and launching ceremony at the PCG Headquarters yesterday, the PCG Commandant Admiral Elson E Hermogino,…
What is Seaspeak?
Seaspeak is the official language of navigators the world over. As the official language of the seas, Seaspeak helps to prevent any form of miscommunication. And since miscommunication can easily lead to serious and dangerous situations, seafarers use a specific language to prevent nay accidents from happening. Have you ever wondered how crews on ships at sea communicate? Nowadays, crews…
Maritime Navigation: A Lost art?
Navigation by definition is the process or activity of accurately ascertaining one’s position and planning, and following a route. Also, navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft from one place to another. The past few years have recorded many global maritime incidents, collisions, groundings, and sinkings. The…
Strangling Global Shipping
Recent events in the West Philippine Sea as well as other incidents involving shipping lanes, ferry crossings/sinkings, oil discharges into open water, and attacks on vessels, should have brought the attention of the global maritime industry. In monitoring the news, I see it has not. This spiked my curiosity as to why and what would happen if global sea lanes…
The Netherlands Ratifies HK Ship Recycling Convention
Under the treaty, ships to be sent for recycling are required to carry an inventory of hazardous materials, specific to each ship. Ship recycling yards are required to provide a “Ship Recycling Plan” specifying the manner in which each ship will be recycled, depending on its particulars and its inventory. The Netherlands recently became the 8th country to become a…
World’s First Approved Viking LifeCraft™ Survival Craft
Following successful heavy weather trials in November 2018, the Survival Craft component of VIKING Life-Saving Equipment’s unique hybrid lifeboat/liferaft solution, the VIKING LifeCraft™ System, has now received official approval from the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA). The approval, awarded on 8-March-2019, is the culmination of a long development and approval process. But that’s not the real news. While the LifeCraft™ itself…
What Are Totten Beacons?
These Totten Beacons –19th century aids to navigation– are protected historical resources. In 1513, Spanish explorer Ponce de León sailed into the strong currents of the Florida Straits. Little did he know that within a few years, these uncharted waters, which feed into the Gulf Stream, would become a major international shipping route to and from Europe and the New…
Interferry Looks to the Philippines for Safety Lessons Learned
A four-man team from global trade association Interferry were in Manila from March 18-22 in the first stage of a project to study significant safety improvements in Philippines ferry operations and produce a “lessons learned” report to help other developing nations. The FerrySafe project team had arranged one-hour meetings with a wide range of stakeholders to learn how fatal incidents…
IMB Piracy Reporting Center
The ICC – International Maritime Bureau (IMB) was established in 1981 to act as a focal point in the fight against all types of maritime fraud, malpractice and piracy. The United Nations (UN) International Maritime Organization (IMO) in its resolution A 504 (XII) (9) adopted on 20-November-1981 has among other things urged all governments, interests and organizations to exchange information…
Deaths in Confined Spaces Are Still Happening
Modern ships are capable of carrying larger and larger loads while the number of crew aboard remains approximately the same. This means that Seafarers are more exposed to the dangers of confined space entries than ever before. What is a Confined Space? The International Maritime Organization (IMO) defines enclosed spaces as having limited openings for entry and exit, inadequate ventilation…
PCG to Construct New Lighthouse in Tubbataha
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be constructing a new lighthouse in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP). The delivery schedule for the PCG lighthouse is 360 calendar days. The lighthouse is targeted for construction within the year on the South Atoll of the marine natural park. It shall also serve as its protection against possible ship groundings. “Now that…
Procedures: Mooring Line Handling Tips
Mooring and unmooring operations provide the circumstances for potentially serious accidents. There is no doubt that this duty requires a good technique initially in lifting the heavy eye of the rope, followed by a good pulling technique. Care must be taken, therefore with the laying out of heavy mooring ropes and wire ropes/hawsers. Seafarers involved in mooring operations should be…
Slavery Persists in Thai Fishing Vessels
Between 2014 and 2016, Greenpeace had been tracking Thailand’s rogue fishing vessels, and found that as many as 76 vessels with Thai flags had moved their operations to the Saya de Malha Bank area off the coast of east Africa to avoid being policed on illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and slave seafaring. Despite all international pressure on Thailand,…
Steps to Creating Safety
At the last SAFETY4SEA Conference, Capt. Hans Hederström, Managing Director, Center for Simulator Maritime Training (CSMART), discussed steps to create a safety environment in shipping. Among the most important things, he stressed, “The Captain has the role of a leader instead of an operator, willing to delegate and coach officers. Combining voyage planning and Bridge Resource Management, and effective communication…
Peacetime Records of Submarine Disaster other than Predicted Wartime Losses
INTRODUCTION This Article is a product of the research work conducted by the author to highlight the list and circumstances behind various events of submarine losses that happened during peacetime from CY2000 to CY2017. During this period, it is noted that submarine disasters and accidents occurred to navies of countries that are considered to have seapower and long experience over…
PCG Warns of Impending Kidnapping by ASG
On 30-October-2018, the ReCAAP ISC piracy reporting center warned that a faction of the ASG is preparing to launch another round of pirate attacks in the waters off Sabah. According to ReCAAP, the PCG believes that 10 ASG members are planning to conduct kidnappings in East Sabah “at any opportune time.” The ASG fighters do not have specific targets but…
Dredging for Gold in the Bering Sea
The snow has thawed enough for the gold dredging season to kick off, and dredgers in Nome, Alaska, are ready to be on the water in search of hidden treasures on the Bering Sea floor. With boats in the water and deckhands aboard, these gritty and independent men and women are ready to hit the season hard in hopes of…
National Marine Policy Review: Gains and Gaps
Recognizing the archipelagic and maritime nature of the country, then President Fidel V Ramos issued in 1994 the National Marine Policy (NMP) to guide various stakeholders in the maritime community, especially those in government, in managing the “blue economy.” The policy contains four key areas: Politics and Jurisdiction, Area Regulation and Enforcement, Area Development and Conservation, and Maritime Security. Although…
NFWM Clinches PN 2018 Unit Award
Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) received the Best Operating Forces Unit Award during the 120th Philippine Navy’s Founding Anniversary in June. President Rodrigo Duterte personally congratulated NFWM Commander RAdm Rene V Medina while FOIC VAdm Robert Empredad attached the streamer to NFWM’s standard in a ceremony held in Davao. As the Philippine Navy marked its 120th Founding Anniversary with an…
Will the Philippines Be Involved in a Conflict Between the United States and North Korea?
In the Korean War (1950-1953) between the United Nations coalition led by the military forces of the United States and South Korea against North Korea backed up by Chinese troops, the Philippines sent 3 battalions of some 7,000 personnel equipped, supplied, placed by and fought under U.S. operational command (The PMA post-WWII Class of 1951 had an early graduation, were…
Martek Calls for Urgent ISPS Review
Commercial shipping is waking up to the growing threat that drones pose to the safety and security of vessels. Terrorist use of drones deploying explosives is already well documented and the potential for a drone to deliver an explosive charge through the deck of an oil/gas tanker or on a passenger ship with potentially catastrophic results is a stark reality….
Guerrero Supports New Performance Indicator for Maritime Safety
The Philippines through MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo B Guerrero conveyed on 02-July-2018 its support for the inclusion of “number of serious incidents per year, and per vessel type” as a new performance indicator for maritime safety in the Strategic Plan, 2018-2023 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which held the 120th Session of the IMO Council, London, United Kingdom from…