MARINA lauds training center for acquiring modern equipment

CEBU, Philippines – The Maritime Industry Authority-7 has acknowledged efforts of maritime training centers in Cebu that continuously exert effort to meet the demand of the international shipping industry for highly trained seafarers.

This after Cebu Reliable and Excellent Seafarers Training Center,  Inc. acquired from Norway the latest state-of the art simulator, which is reportedly the first in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Nannette Villamor-Dinopol, Maritime Industry Authority-7 director, said the acquisition of the state-of-the-art training equipment is timely and relevant with the entry into full effect of the 2010 Manila Amendments of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention by January 1, 2017.

“This move of CREST to invest on a full mission bridge simulator despite the substantial cost involved underscores the commitment of the company to train our nautical officers not only how to navigate but to confront them with any possible scenarios that could be encountered in the real world thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our Filipino officers in bridge team work,” said Dinopol in her speech.

She added that MARINA fully appreciates CREST’s effort to continuously produce highly competent ship officers and at the same time to be compliant with national and international regulations.

CREST launched Sunday the Kongsberg, Norway DNV GL Class A K-Sim Polaris ship’s bridge simulator at its maritime training center at DG3 Corp. Bldg. along Escario Street, Cebu City.

CREST is reportedly the first in the Vis-Min area to acquire the simulator and only the fifth in the Philippines.

The CREST delivery consists of a full mission, DNV GL class A K-Sim Polaris ship’s bridge simulator with 270 degrees of visual view and KONGSBERG K-Bridge consoles, in addition to three GMDSS/ECDIS Radar Trainers. A key requirement in the selection of K-Sim Polaris was its in-depth built-in assessment functionality, which CREST will use for practical assessment and examination of officers, as a mandatory requirement to receive a license.

Gepilano disclosed CREST invested around P20 million for the software and hardware of the equipment, including its delivery from Norway. CREST has already produced 55,000 seafarers since its operation in 2011.

The House of Representatives has earlier adopted the Senate version of the proposed "Seafarers Protection Act" which seeks to benefit tens of thousands of Filipino seafarers and their families nationwide.

The author of the original version, House Bill No. 5268, ANGKLA Party-list Representative Jesulito Manalo, who was the guest of honor during the launching, expressed confidence that President Aquino would anytime soon sign the House-adopted Senate version (SB 2835) into law.

Manalo, the lone representative of the maritime sector of the country, initiated the measure in the House to protect Filipino seafarers' labor claims arising from their illnesses, accidents, or in worst cases, even death, against unconscionable legal fees imposed and collected by unscrupulous individuals.

The House passed the measure in December 15, 2014, while the Senate gave its green light last September 21, after which the House adopted the latter version last September 30. —/ATO (FREEMAN)