Lifejacket Use on Passenger Vessels Policy

The circular is issued in line with national policy to enhance safety.
It is issued pursuant to P D. 474.
It is issued pursuant to E.O. 125/125-A.
The circular mandates lifejacket use to protect passengers of certain vessels during boarding, before departure, and throughout the voyage.

All passenger vessels with open-deck accommodation must implement the lifejacket requirement.
Passenger vessels directly exposed to the weather fall within the circular’s coverage.
Ship owners/operators, and/or their officials or agents, must require compliance with the lifejacket requirement.
Every passenger on board covered passenger vessels must wear a lifejacket.
Compliance applies to the passenger during boarding and/or prior to departure at the port/s of origin, and at all times during the voyage.

Ship owners/operators and their responsible persons must require every passenger to wear lifejackets during boarding and/or prior to departure.
The boarding and/or pre-departure wearing requirement applies at the port/s of origin.
The circular requires passengers to wear lifejackets at all times during the voyage.
A crew member must be assigned to demonstrate the use of lifejackets within the first five (5) minutes after departure.
A crew member must also inform passengers of the do’s and dont’s during emergency situations and other precautionary measures.

The Master of the vessel must ensure strict adherence to the circular at all times.
The Master’s duty is continuous and directed toward ensuring full compliance aboard the vessel.

Any violation of the circular is subject to administrative fines, and/or penalties.
Administrative fines and penalties are imposed after due notice and hearing.
The administrative process does not prevent the institution of criminal and/or civil action in regular courts against the responsible corporate officers, the company, and/or responsible officer/s.

First Violation
- For shipowner/operator: P200.00 for every passenger found to be without lifejacket plus warning.
- For master/crew: Suspension of Seafarers Identification and Record Book (SIRB) issued by MARINA.
Second Violation
- For shipowner/operator: P500.00 for every passenger found to be without lifejacket and/or suspension of certificate of Public Convenience/Provisional Authority/Special Permit.
- For master/crew: Suspension of SIRB issued by MARINA and/or recommendation for suspension of License issued by the Professional Commission (PRC).
Third Violation
- For shipowner/operator: P1,000.00 for every passenger found to be without lifejacket and/or cancellation of certificate of Public Authority Provisional Authority/Special Permit.
- For master/crew: Cancellation of SIRB issued by MARINA and/or recommendation for cancellation of License issued by PRC.