A practical guide to become an efficient master mariner
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o you have an advance idea on what to do to avoid off hire? Do you know the best solutions if conflicts and disputes arise? How about knowing what to do if there is conflict between the owner, charterers, sub-charterers declarations on consumption in governing charter party? These are some of the many advance knowledge and advices studied, compiled, reviewed, and edited by Capt. Fernando S. Soriano in his new book entitled Master’s Handbook, A Practical Guide. This handbook, said Capt. Soriano, is a practical guide to Master Mariners who want to practice their professions with excellence. It is also ideal for beginners and those who have just acquired their licenses, particularly those Captains who still doubt their capabilities. It is also ideal for trainors of Shipping Agencies and educators as a reference material during in-house training or seminar for their new masters to acquire new and additional knowledge related to their profession. The author furthered that this handbook is a simple guide and it is important to note that it varies depending on circumstances that may dictate and every company has its own policies to follow. The humble captain have recently presented his work to Commodore Adonis B. Donato, president of Master and Mates Association of the Philippines – the only organization for deck officers duly recognized and accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission and the Philippine Federation of Professional Association. “With full modesty, I have presented my work to Commodore Donato because
I know for a fact that as president of our profession, he can vindicate whether my book is indeed useful or not,” the young author said. “When I saw his (Capt. Soriano) book, I thought it would be helpful. And then when I turned on the pages, I found out that the contents were based on actual situations onboard. The examples are focused on actual facts of the vessel’s smooth operations, it covers the master’s responsibilities, his overriding authority, search and rescue operations even international maritime law. It was actually a helpful tool that would benefit our young masters of today,” Commodore Donato said. The handbook also discussed how to avoid deficiency by PSC, AMSA, USCG by advance planning, good crew motivation, training and drills, safety precaution in all aspects of Master’s job. It also gives precaution to avoid short cargo and/or overloading and best ship handling techniques. It also teaches advance knowledge on various Marine or Sea protest, Letter of Protest, and Letter to Agents, among others, to avail the reader or the master mariner the reserving the rights at any time and place convenient. Both Commodore Donato and the author believe that the captain is the sole owner’s representative and a prudent master will always do his job for the interest of his
Commo. Donato receives his copy from the author. owner, charterers, and third parties concerned in strict conformity in accordance with ISM – ISPS Code and company policy that are tuned to safety of vessel and crew. Capt. Soriano vowed to share with his subordinates and his fellow masters, his learning and experiences gained in his 22 years of working onboard ocean-going vessels. It was his humble goal to share and transfer his knowledge to the next generation. Born in the town of Dao, Antique, to a less fortunate family, Capt. Soriano pursued his dreams with strong determination and with poverty as his inspiration. After completing his BSMT in PMI Colleges, he was able to compete and take the command early, despite starting in college late due to financial difficulties at that time. He promised, “one day, when I am already on the top, I want to be a good leader so I can guide others in tracking “a true course” to reach their destination.
Apa r t from the code of ethics of designed for deck officers, Capt. Soriano shares the same valuable principles with his senior – Commodore Donato, which are hard work, patience, perseverance, humility, discipline, and strong determination that are considered instrumental key to become successful. The Master’s Handbook is available Splash Philippines Inc., Master and Mates Association of the Philippines, Golden Success Maritime Consultancy, New Simulator Center of the Philippines, and FYC Maritime Softwares c/o Luneta Seafarers Center, among other accredited centers. For orders, interested parties may call the publisher or author at telephone numbers 541-53-59 or mobile 0917-2026217.
So-Min port district co-hosts Maritime Week P hilippine Ports Authority Port District Office-Southern Mindanao (PPA PDO-SoMin) conveys its support to this year’s National Maritime Week (NMW) with a blast and more. Annually, PPA observes NMW with a simultaneous ceremonial dressing of ships and blowing of horns in all government ports nationwide to drum up the opening of said week-long celebration held September 24-30 this year. Veering away from the usual traditions, PPA PDO-SoMin and all the Port Management Offices (Cotabato, Davao, General Santos and Zamboanga) under its jurisdiction instituted the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) observed every the third Saturday of September as a significant part of the NMW commemoration. This year’s simultaneous ICC was set September 15. PDO-SoMin Safety Committee Chairperson Nimrod Bona earlier expressed that since PPA employees partly derive their livelihood and subsistence from the oceans, they should be more vigilant of their role to conserve the marine resources. In a recent memorandum from PPA’s Assistant General Manager for Operations Benjamin Cecilio, he advocates for the ICC as part of the ports’ regular program for 10
September 2007
safety and the environment for the NMW beginning in 2007. For its part, PDO-SoMin coordinated the hosting of the ICC with Barangay Sasa in Davao City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through PPA’s Safety Committee as well as the Ocean Conservancy (OC), the international organization which pioneered the idea 22 years ago. Meanwhile, the rest of the PMOs also linked up the ICC directly with the OC or either through their respective local DENR offices. OC serves as the repository of the bulk data and classification of debris/waste materials collected from the shorelines, oceans and waterlines on an international level. The ICC activity aptly coincided with the 2007 NMW’s theme: “Response to Current Environmental Challenges” which called for the campaign for all sectors to preserve the health condition of the navigable waters, particularly the marine environment which is an essential source of renewable energy. “The
Philippines is considered as the world’s center of marine biodiversity which bestows upon all its citizens the responsibility to preserve it for the coming generations which will greatly benefit from it considering also that 80% of the earth is composed of water,” guest speaker Hon. Councilor Leo Avila of the Davao City Council and Committee Chairperson on Environmental Concerns expressed during the NMW opening rites.
“We are indeed very blest that 90% of the world’s demand for maritime manpower are supplied by highly-trained and qualified Filipino seafarers and this poses a great challenge for all of us to take care of the health of our oceans,” Director Nanette Villamor-Dinopol of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)-XI exhorted in her closing remarks at the opening program. …continued to next page