SLI appeals to MARINA to release ships after audit
By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:35:00 07/01/2008
Filed Under: Sulpicio ferry disaster, Typhoon Frank, Waterway & Maritime Transport
MANILA, Philippines -- Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) has appealed to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to release its vessels that have undergone inspection.
The shipping firm made the appeal at the start of the MARINA hearing Tuesday into the accident involving Sulpicio’s MV Princess of the Stars, which capsized off Romblon province last June 21 after being battered by strong waves spawned by typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).
MARINA is holding a separate investigation into the incident and will subpeona representatives from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Services Administration (PAGASA), Philippine Coast Guard, and other witnesses.
Its next hearing will be on July 15.
The Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) is the other body investigating the accident.
Over 800 passengers and crew were aboard the MV Princess of the Stars at the time of the mishap, which was compounded by the discovery of pesticide aboard the vessel during search and retrieval operations, prompting authorities to suspend recovery efforts.
Amid the ongoing investigation, MARINA has ordered all SLI vessels grounded.
MARINA is the regulatory body issuing franchises to shipping companies.
Based on the results of its hearings, MARINA would have the authority to cancel SLI's Certificate of Public Transport if the agency would find major "deficiencies" in the course of the investigation.
At Tuesday’s hearing, SLI legal counsel Arthur Lim requested the agency to conduct "vessel to vessel" inspections and release all the ships which have been audited, saying there is no longer any need to wait for the official report to be filed by the inspecting team.
MARINA has formed four auditing teams composed of naval architects, naval engineers, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers to inspect the "sea worthiness" of all SLI vessels and all pertinent documents and permits, Colonel Primo V. Rivera said in an interview.
Rivera said the MARINA "could not deny SLI's motion" although they would still have to follow the process of the auditing teams.
"Lifting [of the order] cannot be done immediately," Rivera said.
He added that the auditing teams could only recommend lifting the order once they have ensured that SLI has fully complied with the "deficiencies" they have noted.
Ship captains and crew should be present while their vessels were being audited and inspected so that they could take note of the suggested repairs and modifications, said Rivera.
Only MARINA Administrator Vicente Suaso or Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza has the authority to order the resumption of operations of SLI ships, Rivera added.
So far, MARINA's auditing teams have finished auditing 7 out of the 13 SLI passenger vessels, to be followed by the auditing and inspection of the company's nine cargo vessels, Rivera said. MARINA's auditing teams is seeking to finish their inspections by the end of this week, he said.
SLI has a total of 22 ships including passenger ships, cargo vessels, and pump boats.
Rivera added that they intended to audit and inspect vessels of all shipping liners operating in the country, adding that it is one of the programs of MARINA.
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