Olongapo SubicBay BatangGapo Newscenter

Thursday, February 02, 2006

SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY UTILIZES NEW VESSELS

Asia Pulse News

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Feb 1 Asia Pulse - The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) began utilizing seven brand new vessels to enhance its seaport capabilities to its full potential and be on par with international seaport standards.

SBMA Seaport Department manager Capt. Perfecto C. Pascual, PN (ret.) said "the seven vessels we have acquired are the backbone of Subic Bays seaport. These would ensure safety and security especially during the peak season of operations here." ADVERTISEMENT

The seven vessels worth P386.5 million (US$7.4 million) were acquired in July 2005 as part of the equipment procurement package of the US$215-million Port Development Project.

The said new vessels are three multi-purpose patrol crafts, a garbage collection/fire fighting vessel, an oil skimming/fire fighting vessel, a search and rescue (SAR) vessel, and a line handling and work vessel.

Pascual said the vessels are currently being manned by the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) while training Freeport Services Corporation FSC) personnel are involved in the handling of said vessels.

Aside from the training of Freeport-based personnel, an emergency response team was also formed to respond to the safety and security needs of this premier Freeport.

According to Pascual, the Seaport Emergency Response Team (SERT) is composed of Seaport personnel who are trained and equipped to carry out search, rescue and recovery operations around the designated areas in Subic Bay.

SERT is comprised of a Rescue Coordinating Officer (RCO), the head and the officer-in-charge of the team; an Assistant Rescue Coordinating Officer (ARCO) who officiates as the coordinator; two certified divers; a safety officer; and the master and the crew of the Seaport Boat.

Prior to the assembly and affirmation of SERT, the members of the SERT team have undergone meticulous training on the following: basic First Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Oil Pollution Management and Control, and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

"Residents and investors are now assured that the operations of our new port facilities will be safer for them and the environment, especially for the safety of our community, and preservation and care of the environment are and will always be the SBMA's top priority," Pascual explained.

The SBMA also received the compliance certificate for the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code that guarantees safety measures in port operations and ship handling.

The ISPS Code is a standard international security plan code required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for all port facilities accepting foreign vessels to ensure the safety and security of all ships coming in and out of foreign ports, mainly as a precautionary measure against all forms of transgression.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga said that with the ISPS Code, Subic seaport is assured of more port calls which means healthy business and more job openings for the Filipino people.

"We welcome this development because it will give Subic bigger role in advancing the 10-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which includes the Subic Bay Port Development Project," he added.

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