The ports of the Dominican Republic have been reported as having very high incidence of stowaways. This poses a threat and risk to the commercial operation and safety of ships and Filipino seafarers onboard. In view of the foregoing premises, the ports of the Dominican Republic are deemed unsafe for Philippine-flagged merchant ships. All concerned are hereby advised to:

1.   Inform all Filipino crew onboard ships bound for the Dominican Republic to strictly enforce security measures against stowaways as provided under the ship ™s manual (if ship had already been covered by a Safety Management Certificate). For those ships not mandatorily covered by the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code), the adoption of similar measures is hereby enjoined;

2.   Increase the watch on duty of Philippine-flagged ships when approaching/upon arrival/while at berth/prior to departure from any Dominican Republic ports;

3.   Immediately inform the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of any and all incidents relative to cases of stowaways in the ports of the Dominican Republic regardless of non-detention of the ship and/or crew;

4.   Endeavor to secure information on the stowaways according to the attached form;

5.   Disseminate this Flag Administration Advisory.

Reports of incidents of stowaways can be coursed through:

The Administrator
Maritime Industry Authority
Tel. Nos. (632) 521-01-07; (632) 523-86-51 to 60; (632) 521-95-26
Fax No. (632) 524-27-46
E-Mail OSO@marina.gov.ph

Attn:         The Director
                Overseas Shipping Office

Adopted: 06 March 2000

(SGD.) OSCAR M. SEVILLA
Administrator