MIA Memorandum Circular No. 123 (1997)

(NAR) VOL.8 NO. 3 / JULY - SEPTEMBER 1997

[ MIA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 123, August 26, 1997 ]

WEARING OF LIFEJACKETS DURING BOARDING AND/OR PRIOR TO DEPARTURE BY ALL PASSENGER VESSELS WITH OPEN-DECK ACCOMMODATION

In line with the national policy to enhance safety and pursuant to the provisions of P D. 474 and E.O. 125/125-A, all ship owners/operators, and/or their officials or agents, of passenger vessels with open-deck accommodation or directly exposed to the weather, shall require every passenger on board such type of vessel to wear lifejacket during boarding and/or prior to departure at the port/s of origin and at all times during the voyage. A crew member shall be assigned to demonstrate the use of lifejackets within the first five (5) minutes after departure of the vessel, as well as to inform the passengers of the do's and dont's during emergency situations and other precautionary measures. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Master of the vessel to ensure strict adherence to this circular, at all times, and any violation of the provisions thereof shall be subject to the following administrative fines, and/or penalties, after due notice and hearing, without prejudice to the institution of criminal and/or civil action with regular courts against the responsible corporate officers, the company and/or responsible officer/s of vessel: SHIPOWNER/OPERATOR MASTER/CREW Suspension of Seafarers P200.00 for every passenger Identification and Record found to be without lifejacket Book(SIRB) issued by 1. First Violation plus warning MARINA P500.00 for every passenger Suspension of SIRB issued by found to be without lifejacket MARINA and/or 2. Second and/or suspension of recommendation for Violation certificate of Public suspension of License issued Convenience/ Provisional by the Professional Authority Special Permit Commission (PRC) P1,000.00 for every Cancellation of SIRB issued passenger found to be without by MARINA and/or 3. Third lifejacket and/or cancellation recommendation for Violation of certificate of Public cancellation of License issued Authority Provisional by PRC Authority/ Special PermitThis Memorandum Circular shall be effective upon its publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Adopted: 26 Aug. 1997

(SGD.) RADM PIO H. GARRIDO JR, AFP (RET.) Administrator