MV South Islander receives award after rescue of 27 sailors in distress

MV South Islander, a multipurpose containership owned by NYK-Hinode Line Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK, rescued all 27 fisherman (10 Japanese, eight Indonesians, and nine Kiribati) from a fishing vessel in trouble, Daiichi Shoei Maru, 870 kilometers east of Guam on April 17. 

First sighting of flaming "Shoei Maru No. 1"

MV South Islander crew conducting rescue procedure

Daiichi Shoei Maru requested the rescue after its engine room caught fire. South Islander was sailing from Yokohama to Honiara, Solomon Islands, and was 222 kilometers southwest of this fishing vessel when the U.S. Coast Guard radioed a request to assist at about 2:20 p.m. (JST) on April 17. South Islander rushed to the scene, and at about 10:20 p.m. found the crew, who had abandoned ship, in life rafts a safe distance from the burning Daiichi Shoei Maru. All 27 fishermen were then safely transferred to South Islander at about 10:30 p.m.

Thank You Seafarers » Day of the Seafarer, 25th June 2011

Every 25th of June of each year was recognized and declared as the Day of Seafarer, as per the resolution made during the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, held in Manila Philippines in June 2010.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in line with the resolution, made an executive order whereas, declaring also every 25th of June to be the Day of Filipino Seafarer.

In connection with the above, MARINA is now making preparations for the celebration of the said event. In view thereof, MARINA called for a series of meetings with the relevant government agencies together with the private sector from the industry to draft as well as finalized the preparation for the celebration of the said event.

MV Shiramizu receives recognition plaque for Best Ever Shipping Record of Loading Rate at PWCS

Captain Macario B. Arias and Wayne Carman

PWCS has been working with shipping companies to improve loading rates at both CCT and KCT Terminals. Feedback is provided to the companies on good performance and also when improvement is required. This work has seen a continual and steady improvement in the loading performance of vessels at PWCS.

On 9 November 2010 the MV Shiramizu loaded 88,627 tonnes at a Gross Load Rate of 6,942 tonnes per hour. This is the fastest ever rate at PWCS. On new year’s day 2011, Kooragang Terminal Manager, Wayne Carman presented a recognition plaque to the MV Shiramizu’s Master, Captain Macario B Arias.

Also present at the presentation were the vessel’s Chief Officer, Boyd Manning KCT Shift Supervisor, Daniel Bower KCT VBLO, Aaron Hodgson KCT Operator and Andrew Maher Live Run Coordinator.

MV Shiramizu is operated by the Hachiuma Steamship Co Ltd.

Wayne congratulated Captain Arias on this great achievement. Captain Arias thanked PWCS for this recognition and stated that he would strive to continue to load efficiently.

POEA restores validation of OFW exit clearance at NAIA terminals

Starting March 1, 2011, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) leaving the country through Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3 will have to pass through POEA’s Labor Assistance Center (LAC) for validation of their exit clearance.

POEA Administrator Carlos S. Cao, Jr. said the validation of OFW documents at the airports is necessary to ensure that only workers who are properly documented or have passed through the legal processes are allowed to leave the country. With the validation system in place, POEA is able to check on workers who are carrying tampered or fake travel documents secured through illegal means, Cao added.

Through electronic connectivity, validation of the exit clearance (overseas employment certificate (OEC) or e-receipts) of OFWs can be done in less than a minute. More validation machines will be put in place for a speedier service to the average of 3,500 OFWs who leave the airports daily.