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

1. First Violation

P200.00 for every passenger found to be without lifejacket plus warning

Suspension of Seafarers Identification and Record Book(SIRB) issued by MARINA

2. Second Violation

P500.00 for every passenger found to be without lifejacket and/or suspension of certificate of Public Convenience/ Provisional Authority Special Permit

Suspension of SIRB issued by MARINA and/or recommendation for suspension of License issued by the Professional Commission (PRC)

3. Third Violation

P1,000.00 for every passenger found to be without lifejacket and/or cancellation of certificate of Public Authority Provisional Authority/ Special Permit

Cancellation of SIRB issued by MARINA and/or recommendation for cancellation of License issued by PRC

This Memorandum Circular shall be effective upon its publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.


Adopted: 26 Aug. 1997