The Ormoc motorboat tragedy in the Philippines last July 2015 which killed 62 passengers is a proof of how perilous our seas are. Expect accidents such as this would increase this coming rainy season. In a report on the Philippine Star, according to Anthony Lucero, OIC of PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), 17 cyclones might enter our country between May to October this year. Although it is lower than 20, which is the average number of cyclones recorded annually, it is an imperative to heighten our disaster preparedness plans before we are badgered again by typhoons.
The Philippines is a seafaring country so it can’t be avoided if we need to travel by water such as riding on a motorboat. Traveling via air is expensive so some of us choose water vessels to take us to our destinations. However, we are still none the wiser and must learn from the mistakes of the past. Here are the boating safety tips we should keep in mind to avoid mishaps at sea:
Create a pre-departure checklist
As the late Benjamin Franklin puts it, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” No matter how small the boat is, a lifejacket or any floatation device should be kept onboard. Also, attach a whistle on a lifejacket to act as a distress signal. Make sure the boat has navigational lights to be able to travel during nighttime. Check the fuel tank, battery, engine oil and coolant levels. Inspect the boat for any damages. For ferries, a passenger manifest must be completely and correctly filled out before embarking.
Check the weather forecast
Don’t exceed the number of passengers
This is a call to all passenger water vessels out there. How many times did we hear of a boat sinking due to overloading? It is simple arithmetic but because of carelessness and greedy operators, sadly, it still happens.
Double check the cargo
This tip is for large vessels which can carry any sizes of cargo. One of the examples we can cite is what happened in Ormoc. Rear Admiral William Melad, PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) commandant, explained on Rappler the cause of the accident. “You would understand this was a motorboat. There was a placement of cargo. When it veered, a little movement of cargo occurred then the chain reaction came next,” he said. Make sure all cargoes are tightly secured and do not overload.
Identify non-swimmers
This is an advice from West Marine. According to them, “supply non-swimmers with life jackets that fit and that they will wear while on the water.” It is better to be safe than sorry, right? It would be best if everyone wore one just in case a sudden change in weather occurs.
According to the report by Asian Development Bank (ADB) entitled “Philippines: Transport Sector Assessment, Strategy, and Road Map,” it mentioned, “the cause of maritime accidents include human error; natural causes; lack of vessel traffic management; lack of navigational aids; and poor ship maintenance.” This was hit spot on by the Manila Times, where they stated, “For a country of more than 7,000 islands, which has a proud seafaring tradition dating back centuries, and which provides fully one-fourth of the manpower for the global maritime industry, the record of frequent fatal accidents due to bad management or poorly equipped and maintained vessels is not only ironic, it is downright shameful.”
5 Boating safety tips this rainy season was brought to you by Rayomarine, the #1 seller of top of the line yachts, sailboat, and motorboat.
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