Safety at sea

A court of law will decide who should be penalized for the mid-sea collision that killed a female South Korean tourist and injured two of her friends off Lapu-Lapu City waters last Sunday.

But for now, the death of Ji Song Sook has raised serious questions about the capability of the national government, much less the local government, to protect tourists by making sure dive shop operators are accredited and safety-conscious.

A veteran dive shop operator said the Philippines is the only country in the world that doesn’t issue license to operators of seacraft like jet skis and “wave runners”.

“There is no law regulating it. Banana boat operators should be trained and licensed. You ride at your own risk,” said Cebuano dive shop oerator Gary Cases.

“Jet skis can be deadly. People think it’s just another seacraft but it doesn’t have brakes.”

How strange, particularly for Cebu, where beaches, resorts , and aqua sports are powerful attractions for a vibrant tourism industry.

The Lapu-Lapu city government is taking a stab at regulation with a new ordinance passed last August. The recent accident will test the city’s political will in enforcing it.

This case should be looked into, not just for the sake of Korean tourists but the safety risks posed to fishermen, divers and swimmers in the water, who are alarmed by jet skis zooming through the sea lanes.

For one, the Manta Aqua Sports dive shop contracted by the Korean ladies turns out to be listed under another company altogether.

A check by the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Division showed that the dive shop used to be affiliated with Sea Adventures Sports Inc., which in turn used to operate under a Lapu-Lapu City resort.

An inspection the other day showed that Sea Adventure cut its ties with the resort this year. Manta, which is supposedly operated by a South Korean, broke off soon after.

Who does the city government run after then to hold accountable the operator for lack of a license?

As it is, the Lapu-Lapu City Treasurer’s Office isn’t clear about the status of Manta Sports Inc. It doesn’t know who the actual owners are.

Sook’s family met face to face with the pump boat captain and the jet ski operator involved in the accident.

They showed no grudges and submitted an affidavit to support the filing of a complaint, but it’s not likely they will return to Cebu just to pursue a court case.

We only hope the Lapu-Lapu city government helps Sook’s family obtain the justice they so deserve.

Looking ahead, the city should get a better grip on dive shops that operate in Mactan without licenses or enough safety orientation for its customers, whether they are locals or tourists.