Question & AnswerQ&A (HPCG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-10)
The Interim Guidelines are issued under the authority of Republic Act 5173 as amended by Presidential Decree 601.
These guidelines apply to vessels and motorboats of 1,000 gross tons and below engaged in Short Distance Voyages operating within Special Areas in the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.
Exemptions include tugboats assisting docking or undocking, government-operated vessels used for non-commercial purposes, and vessels/motorboats called by the Philippine Coast Guard to assist in search and rescue operations.
A Short Distance Voyage is a voyage not exceeding four kilometers (2.16 nautical miles), can be completed within 30 minutes, and where the point of origin, route, and destination are within line of sight.
Special Areas are defined as bays, rivers, natural coves, or sheltered zones whose topography makes the sea area less vulnerable to adverse weather effects, specifically including areas like Iloilo Strait and Tanon Strait.
They may sail only if it is from sunrise to sunset, sea conditions are not rough, wind speed does not exceed 30 kph, rain is not moderate or heavy, there is good visibility, passengers do not exceed 75% capacity, lifejackets are worn on open decks, cargoes are properly secured, a lookout and standby emergency boat are present, and credible communication links exist.
All passengers and crew shall wear lifejackets from departure until disembarkation to ensure safety during the voyage.
Penalties include a fine of ₱5,000 for the first violation with a warning, ₱10,000 and stern warning for the second violation, and ₱20,000 with a recommendation to revoke the Master/Patron/Boat Captain's license for the third violation.
They must obtain and monitor weather bulletins, plot weather and PSWS sectors, inform the nearest PCG unit when seeking shelter, ensure no passengers when taking shelter, cancel voyages if conditions are unsafe, take precautions for cargo safety, and assume overall responsibility for safety at all times.
It mandates a designated look-out and standby emergency boat to be provided by local government units or associations, and a credible communication link between vessels, emergency boats, and the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure prompt assistance if needed.
They must ensure vessels are timely informed of weather updates from PAGASA and other sources, install weather monitoring equipment like weather fax, prohibit departure if conditions do not meet the guidelines, maintain communications with vessels, and immediately report incidents to the PCG.