SLI ships to be allowed to sail pending audit results--DoTC
By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:34:00 07/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The remaining vessels of Sulpicio Lines Inc. will be taken off the "grounded" list as soon as they complete necessary rectifications and accommodate three observers on trips, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Thursday.
Mendoza told the Inquirer in a brief interview that the government and SLI have addressed the shipping company's concerns regarding a proposal to place three observers on board the remaining passenger fleet. Of the three, one would be an SLI supervisor, one government representative, and one private-sector expert.
"They [SLI] had two concerns: one is that the observers should be independent, not connected to their competitors; another is that their [SLI] crew should be given an orientation to help them understand that they are not being replaced or demoted. The orientation would help to keep their morale up while also explaining the need for stricter observance of safety guidelines," Mendoza said before the meeting of the Task Force Princess of Stars on Thursday.
The timetable, budget and other details of the proposed solution will be finalized after factoring in an audit report from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), to be presented to the MARINA board on Friday.
MARINA started auditing the remaining SLI ships after the company's flagship vessel, MV Princess of the Stars, sank off Romblon on June 21 during the onslaught of typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).
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