SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES OF SEAFARERS ON BOARD RORO PASSENGER SHIPS IN DALAHICAN PORT

This study aimed to determine the awareness in the Safety and Precautionary Measures of Seafarers On Board Ro/Ro Passenger Ships in Dalahican Port. It tried to answer the following specific problems: (1) To determine the demographic profile in terms of age, educational attainment, length of sea service and position on ship (2) What do you understand about safety and precautionary (3) What are the respective duties of seafarers for the safety and precautionary policy (4) What are the reasons why the seafarers on board ro/ro passenger ships in Dalahican Port lack the knowledge when it comes to the implementation of safety and precautionary measures on board. The researchers used a descriptive method of research design. The research utilized survey questionnaire as primary tools in gathering data. This provides facts and practical information’s that the researcher believes this kind of method can give a clear analysis in adequate interpretation of their topic and has utilized a total of thirty five (35) respondents. After the analysis of gathered data, following conclusions were drawn: (1) Majority of the seafarers’ roro passenger ships are Deck Cadet, BS Marine Transportation. The length of their service is below 1 year. Because they are the trainees and they are available given by the ship’s officer. (2) Most of the seafarers’ understand that safety and precautionary is about the captain, officers and crew welfare. And they learned in the discussion about safety and precautionary are Life buoys and life boat are correctly in stowed, Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction and Proper stowage of cargo and All personnel wear correct personal protective equipment because these three safety and precautionary are the most important should the seafarers know first before they undergo to the actual operation. Majority of the respondents gave a moderately awareness on safety and precautionary on board. According to the respondents, they were very satisfied on the discussion of safety and precautionary on board ro/ro passenger ship in Dalahican port because the officers discussed the safety and precautionary on board in systematic way but then in actual presentation of the equipment’s are insufficient. (3) The three (3) respective duties of seafarers for the safety and precautionary policy are Obey direct order from the Master or his absence, competent person next in command in case of abandoning the ship, the use of their personal protective equipment and take care of own safety, Should know their duty during emergency situation and Seafarer’s order should be clear, understandable and stated got the same rank of two while Establish standard operational procedures and must report any hazards that they can expose or possible danger to their safety goes to rank three. Because according to the respondents, the chain of the commands from the higher authority gives the command down to its subordinate especially during emergency situations it can be seen on the muster list. And all command must clearly and understandable to limit the miscommunication. (4) The main reason why the seafarers is lack of knowledge in implementation of safety and precautionary measures on board is inappropriate behavior of seafarers during their duties because from their maritime institutions where they came from the discipline of safety and precautionary measures are not well implemented as to their practices. In the light of findings and conclusions on this study the following recommended: (1) Maintain and sustain the safety equipment’s in order to protect the seafarers from a risk that may threaten safety or health when working. The officers should continue the orientation/discussion to the seafarers before they undergo to the operation, in case there are incidents happen in ship while on board regarding to the safety and precautionary the seafarers can be taken the equipment’s rapidly in their proper places. (2) Strict implementation of the safety and precautionary by the port authority or other implementing body. In order to assure the safeness of the seafarers including the ships and its cargo while on board. (3) They should conduct also a safety health meeting at least once in a month for the better performance of seafarers. And especially, the ship owner or the shipping company should always update on what is happening on the vessels and the status of the seafarers. (4) The maritime institution should provide orderly implementation regarding to the disciplinary actions before they aboard on ship in order to limit their inappropriate attitude and behavior. (5) Another study should be made as to the benefits that can get or derived from the safety and precautionary measures on board.