Sulpicio Lines needs to improve safety and management systems

CEBU, Philippines - Sulpicio Lines Inc. needs to carry out improvements in at least 17 areas in order for its safety and management systems to comply with the International Safety Management Code.

This was the suggestion of Magsaysay Shipmanagement Inc. (MSI), which was hired by SLI as consultant in its bid to upgrade its operations, after reviewing SLI’s management systems. 

 In its report to the Maritime Industry Authority dated April 13, 2009, MSI suggested to SLI the need to implement improvements in 17 areas.

These areas include a healthy, safety and environment policy; designation of a safety officer; defining the qualification of shipboard personnel and ensure that this meets statutory standards; strengthening of crisis management system; adoption of a “no blame culture;” and creation of a planned maintenance system for deck, engine, and electrical machinery especially those critical to operations.

MSI said its review of SLI’s management systems was based on its consultancy agreement with the shipping company.

The review was one of the requirements from MARINA for SLI to resume normal operations.

Other requirements include retraining of crew, full-payment of insurance coverage of passengers of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars, and the removal of the shipwreck.

MSI general manager Capt. Agripino M. Milano Jr. clarified that the review is the first phase of a three-phase process “that SLI must fulfill in order to resume normal cargo and passenger operation.”

These three phases are the review, institutionalization, and sustained implementation and maintenance of the ship management system.

MARINA regional director Glenn Cabanez told The FREEMAN that since their central office is handling the matter, he has no knowledge as to the compliance of SLI with the MARINA requirements.

Last March, SLI said it was working very hard to comply with the MARINA requirements, among them was the forging of an agreement with MSI.

Michael Go, an official of SLI, earlier said that they are doing their best to comply with the recommendations.

MSI only conducted a review as part of its consultancy agreement with SLI.

To recall, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that 57 people survived during the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars. Some 350 bodies were recovered while 515 people remained missing.

Relatives of the victims are expected to observe the first anniversary of the disaster on June 21. — Michelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM  (THE FREEMAN)