From left to right: Bill McCuskey, Maritime Manager, International Registries (Far East)Ltd., Patricia A. Sto. Thomas, Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, Government of the Philippines and Captain Robert A. Fay, Vice President Seafarers’ Documentation for International Registries, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(December 06, 2004)

Stronger links between the Marshall Islands Maritime Registry and Philippines Government in verifying seafarer documents is helping to improve safety and security at sea, according to Captain Robert A. Fay, Vice President, Seafarers’ Documentation for International Registries, Inc. (IRI), the Marshall Islands Maritime and Corporate Administrator.

Capt. Fay, on a recent visit to Manila, met with Patricia A. Sto. Thomas, Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, where he emphasized the importance of increased vigilance and cooperation by flag administrations and Governments of seafaring nations.

“The Philippines has a long and proud tradition of seafaring and I am pleased to report that we have developed an efficient exchange of information with the Philippine Government involving a range of safety and security initiatives. More than 30 percent of seafarers on board Marshall Islands registered vessels are Philippine nationals, so a high level of cooperation is essential,” said Capt. Fay.

The Marshall Islands flag is expected to issue more than 70,000 seafarer documents during 2004, a 30 percent increase from the number of documents issued in 2003.

Capt. Fay is leading a drive to ensure that shipowners operating Marshall Islands flagged ships minimize the risk of Port State Control detentions or other commercial penalties due to seafarer documentation and training deficiencies. “Ship inspectors have been placing increased emphasis on seafarer documentation during the last two years since the revised Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention for seafarers became mandatory,” said Capt. Fay. Based on discussions between the Administration and the Marshall Islands Quality Council (MIQC), an independent, consultative body comprised of industry stakeholders, the Administration has introduced more stringent audits for seafarer documentation filing agents and crew-training programs selected for seafarers sailing on Marshall Islands flagged vessels. “This program has been a success as there is an increase in demand for filing agents with Marshall Islands credentials,” added Capt. Fay.

“We are also taking the initiative to issue more than 500 Ship Security Officer (SSO) certificates under the ISPS Code regime,” said Capt. Fay. It is expected that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will make SSO certification mandatory in due course.