TIM eMagazine Volume 3 Issue 10 | Page 12

Maritime MARINA launches Online Evaluation and Appointment System for Theoretical Exam for Marine Officers T he Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has officially launched on Monday, 17 December 2018, its online evaluation and appointment system for the application of Theoretical Examination for Merchant Marine Officers as part of the agency’s intensified modernization initiatives, promoting convenience on the part of qualified Filipino seafarers. The implementation of the online evaluation and appointment system is in line with the computerization and automation of all MARINA processes, which is on top of the MARINA's 14 Point Agenda for 2018.  With this implementation, all seafarers for the said theoretical exam, starting 26 December 2018, are directed to upload their required documents to MARINA Online Appointment System for the purposes of online verification through web address:   https://online-appointment.marina.gov.ph/   After the online verification, applicant shall pay the corresponding amount through an authorized payment partner prior to setting an appointment schedule through the online system for their physical appearance at the MARINA-STCW Office on their preferred date and time.     As one of the various systems that will comprise the MARINA’s Integrated Management System, the online application will ensure that the agency exercises strict and uncompromising quality procedures in the delivery of public service.  The online evaluation and appointment system, which is also part of of the MARINA Integrated Seafarers Management Online (MISMO) system, includes the theoretical examination for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Radio Operator.  Meanwhile, it may be remembered that in 2017, two (2) additional testing centers were opened in MARINA Cebu and Davao.  The successful opening of these testing centers prompt  another testing center to be opened next year in MARINA Iloilo. With the help of online evaluation and appointment system, the MARINA ensured that all the seafarers can apply from anywhere either while onboard or from the comforts of their home.   Aside from online evaluation and appointment system for the application of Theoretical Examination for Merchant Marine, the MARINA also targeted to launch online evaluation and appointment system for Certificate of Competency (COC) and Certificate of Proficiency (COP). http://marina.gov.ph/ 12 MARINA to issue show cause orders to 2 ships in collision  T he Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will issue show cause orders (SCOs) to MV Eastern Endeavour and LCT Poseidon 29 that have been involved in a collision abeam Shell Island, Mactan, Cebu on Saturday evening, 12 January 2019. MV Eastern Endeavour is a 6,269 gross tonnage (GT) general cargo vessel operating the overseas trade under Eastern Shipping Services, Inc. based in Manila, while LCT Poseidon 29 is a 965 GT cargo vessel operating at the domestic trade under Concrete Solutions, Inc. based in Tacloban City.  Initial reports revealed that the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in Cebu radioed the inbound vessel MV Eastern Endeavour while it was transiting along the Cebu-Mactan Channel abeam Shell Island, informing its crew that an outbound vessel LCT Poseidon 29 was transiting southbound.  On this condition, the MV Eastern Endeavour has requested a port-to-port passage with LCT Poseidon 29, advising the latter to maneuver and stay on hard port rudder to increase its Closest Point of Approach (CPA). But due to the close proximity between the involved vessels, a collision occurred. Despite the incident, all crew members were reported to be injured-free. At around 9:42 pm of the same day, the MV Eastern Endeavour has safety berthed at the Cebu International Port, while LCT Poseidon 29 was anchored at the Talisay Anchorage area.  To date, the MARINA is closely coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to improve the operation of Cebu’s VTMS to avoid the occurrence of similar maritime accidents in the future.  http://marina.gov.ph/ Despite the incident, all crew members were reported to be injured-free. At around 9:42 pm of the same day, the MV Eastern Endeavour has safety berthed at the Cebu International Port, while LCT Poseidon 29 was anchored at the Talisay Anchorage area.