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Pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order 125, as amended, and the Public Service Act, as amended, the following rules are hereby prescribed to implement the playing of voice tape pertaining to vessel safety, health and sanitation, onboard passenger and passenger-cargo vessels of 20 to less than 150 Gross Tons (GT) operating in coastal and/or riverine areas:

I
Objectives

1.         To ensure the preparedness and alertness of passengers in case of maritime emergencies and accidents; and,

2.         To maintain and promote health and sanitation onboard.

II
Coverage

All passenger and passenger-cargo vessels of 20 to less than 150 GT operating within riverine and coastal areas shall be covered under this Circular.

III
Contents of the Voice Tape

The voice tape shall be primarily in local dialect or Pilipino, as applicable, with English version and shall contain the following:

1.         General Information:

1.1  Purpose of the voice tape

1.2  The number of crew onboard and name of the Captain

1.3  Number of passengers allowed and covered with insurance

1.4  Destination and Travel time

2.         Safety Features and Health/Sanitation:

2.1  Number and location of life jackets

2.2  Number, location and capacity of life rafts, when applicable

2.3  Location of emergency exits, when applicable

2.4  Do’s and don’ts during emergency situations and other precautionary measures

2.5  Demonstration on how to use the life jackets, rafts and fire extinguishers

2.6  Location of comfort rooms, if applicable

2.7  Garbage/waste disposal, if applicable

2.8  Location of smoking areas, if allowed

IV
Implementation

1.         The voice tape shall be submitted to MARINA for review.

2.         The voice tape must be played on board after each departure.

3.         At least one (1) crew member for every one hundred (100) passengers, or a fraction thereof, must be designated to demonstrate how to use the life jacket while the tape is being played.

4.         All existing vessels covered by these rules shall be given one (1) month from the effectivity of this Circular to comply.

V
Penalties and Sanctions

Failure to comply with this Circular shall be subject to the following penalties and sanctions after due notice
 

First Offense	— Fine of Five Thousand (P 5,000) Pesos per vessel and warning
Second Offense	— Fine of Ten Thousand (P 10,000) Pesos per vessel and/or suspension of existing authority to operate (CPC/PA/SP)
Third Offense	— Fine of Twenty Five Thousand (P 25,000) Pesos per vessel and/or revocation/cancellation of existing authority to operate (CPC/PA/SP)and hearing:

VI
Repealing Clause

Any provision of existing MARINA circulars and rules and regulations inconsistent herewith is hereby repealed/amended accordingly.

VII
Effectivity

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication once in a newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 17 Sept. 1998

(SGD.) AGUSTIN R. BENGZON
Administrator