Pursuant to the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 474 Executive Order No. 125/125-A and Republic Act No. 9295 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code), and the National Safety Management (NSM) Code, the following Protocol during emergencies is hereby reiterated.

All shipping companies and such other maritime entities concerned operating ships in the domestic trade are required to adopt procedures to prepare for and respond to emergency shipboard situations. Such procedures shall include reporting accidents and dangerous situations and shall be guided by the following principles:

1.  the master has the overriding authority and the responsibility to make decisions with respect to safety and pollution prevention and to request the Company's assistance as may be necessary.
2.  the company is required to give the necessary support so that the master's duties can be safely performed;
3.  during emergencies, the master should assign a qualified and responsible person to handle all communications that the master may deem necessary such communications should, at least, involve:

a.  the company;
b.  the nearest Philippine Coast Guard unit;
c.  other government entities or private sector groups or specialists (the company may handle calls to these entities)

 
4.  a list of contact numbers that can be used during emergencies should be prepared and posted, at least, at the bridge of the ship, the radio room of the company (if any) and the designated room for the emergency response team.  There should be a procedure to regularly check the validity of these numbers;
5.  the master should see to it that all necessary communications during emergencies are placed as early as possible and that updates are given at reasonable intervals;
6.  such communications shall include, at least the following:

1. vessel name (call sign);
   
2. location / position;
   
3. nature of distress;
   
4. assistance needed;
   
5. number of persons on board and number and condition of injured (if any);
   
6. type and nature of cargo;
   
7. estimate of the present seaworthiness of the vessel;
   
8. if the master has time, such other data that may assist rescuers.

7. if abandon ship is imminent, the master should commence broadcast of "MAYDAY' distress message.

This Flag State Administration Advisory (FASAA) shall take effect immediately. For strict compliance.


Adopted: 03 August 2011


(SGD.) EMERSON M. LORENZO
Administrator