Requirements on Means of Escape/Emergency Exits
- All general areas must have at least two passenger-accessible emergency exits.
- Specific crew members must ensure these exits remain unobstructed during emergencies.
- Doors to these exits cannot be locked except with crash doors or easily forced locks, with conspicuous notices posted.
- Locking alley doors during ticket inspection or passenger counting is prohibited.
- Passageways must be free of obstructions such as loose cargo, luggage, or furniture.
- Permanent closure segregating accommodations by class is forbidden.
Handling and Storage of Handcarried Luggage
- Safe, convenient storage for handcarried luggage must be provided.
- Luggage must never obstruct stairways, escape routes, passageways, or lifesaving and firefighting equipment.
- At least one crew member must be assigned during embarkation and disembarkation to supervise luggage storage and retrieval.
Storage of Lifevests and Lifejackets
- Lifevests/lifejackets must bear the vessel’s name.
- They must be stored conspicuously in lockers that can be forcibly opened in emergencies.
- They should be readily accessible for emergency use.
Watertight Doors, Portholes, Ramps, and Manholes
- The Master must secure all watertight doors, portholes, ramps, and manholes before departure and during voyage.
Uniforms and Identification of Officers and Crew
- Officers, crew, and security personnel must wear prescribed uniforms and IDs on duty.
- This facilitates easy identification and access by passengers needing assistance.
Additional Safety Measures
- Shipping companies must institutionalize a safety awareness program for crew and passengers.
- Companies are required to submit vessel emergency safety plans to MARINA within 90 days.
- Vessel sketches showing liferaft/boat and lifejacket locations must be displayed prominently according to accommodation class.
- Liferafts/boats must bear the vessel’s name, be securely stored, and readily accessible.
- Firefighting equipment locations must remain unobstructed.
- Luminous exit direction stickers must be visible in all passenger areas.
- Emergency lights that activate automatically upon power failure must be installed in all passenger accommodations and thoroughfares.
- Emergency exits must have independent red blinking lights to aid evacuation.
Responsibilities of the Master
- The Master is strictly responsible for enforcing adherence to this Circular at all times.
- Non-compliance subjects the Master to penalties as provided.
Sanctions and Penalties
- Violations are subject to fines and other penalties after due notice and hearing.
- For the Master:
- First infraction: ₱5,000
- Second infraction: ₱10,000
- Third infraction: ₱25,000 and/or suspension/revocation of SIRB or STCW endorsements
- For shipowner/operator/agent:
- First infraction: ₱10,000 per vessel
- Second infraction: ₱20,000 per vessel
- Third infraction: ₱25,000 per vessel and/or cancellation of Provisional Authority or Certificate of Public Convenience
Enforcement Mechanisms
- The Enforcement Office and Maritime Regional Offices must monitor compliance strictly.
- Non-compliance must be reported within 48 hours to appropriate authorities.
- Enforcers shall not be hindered from boarding and inspecting vessels.
Repealing Clause
- Any inconsistent provisions in existing MARINA rules, regulations, circulars, or orders are repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- The Circular takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.