Owner’s rep says Filipino officers must know international rules

Filipino Capt. Ruz C. Florida and Senior port captain and manager Capt. Rupnarayan Sarkar of Vanguard Ship Management (S) Pte Ltd

During an off schedule at Singapore, Harborscope’s Zeny Magnial and Angie Lamberte decided to visit a Filipino port captain working in Shaw Towers along Beach Road. The unannounced visit became an opportunity to meet the owner’s representative, wherein the latter had decided to share what he thinks of Filipino officers.

Singapore – Senior port captain and manager Capt. Rupnarayan Sarkar of Vanguard Ship Management (S) Pte Ltd could not contain his disappointment with some of their Filipino recruits, who happened to have no knowledge about the international rules and regulation in shipping.

By Jun G. Garcia

Likewise, the Filipino port captain of the company, Capt. Ruz C. Florida, in an interview showed dismay and unbelief because the Filipino officers are known to be best seafarers in the world and yet, some of their recruits are obviously taking the above concern for granted.

At present, Vanguard Ship Management is getting recruits from SSM Maritime Services, Orient Hope Maritime Services, East Gate Maritime Services, Fair Shipping Corporation which is a Korean Corporation, and Gloria Maritime.

“We don’t recruit from one agency. We recruit from four or five different agencies and we find that the officers who are coming in are not aware of the changes in IMO, ISM, Local, US and Canadian regulations for officers of all grades,” said Sarkar.

Vanguard normally conducts interview via Skype. Sarkar explained that they do not get the chance to interview senior officer during their visit in Manila.

“When we went to Manila, we only had chance to interview the junior officers. The senior officers appear to me that they are reluctant to come for interview they in fact, they should think of it as a prestige,” he claimed.

“That was my feeling because in three occasions, the manning agencies have promised that all officers will be present. And when we went to Manila, they say that they are stuck in the province because of some natural disaster, many excuses!” the senior port captain said in disappointment.

The interview on Skype would not allow them to ask many questions on regulations they know or do not know. What they do is bring the recruits over for a five to seven-day briefing in Singapore office all expense paid, including accommodation.

“Then we find out when we talk about and show our records. For example, when I ask him: Do you know about none tank vessel response plan (NTVRP)? The vessel that goes to USA in normal condition? He’s been captain for at least 5-6 years and he said, YES!” Sarkar narrated.

He continued, “I said ok captain in the NTVRP, there are some changes. Do you know the regulations before? Then I come to know. He just only heard about the word NTVRP. But he does not know what’s inside the NTVRP.”

Capt. Florida added that it is equally important for master mariners to know of the international rules and regulation. “It is their responsibility to know that. They should keep themselves updated and aware of the existing and new development or changes pertaining to their profession,” said Florida.

Sarkar concluded that the NTVRP is a mandatory document for vessels which goes to USA. It’s a plan to find and master. They should realize and understand all of these and every step, which are there inside. To explain the changes what is coming recently. They must now the basic fundamental. So we have to teach them here the basic fundamental.

Sarkar divulged not sending the captain home. Instead, they teach him. But he advices every Filipino officers, junior or senior, to immerse themselves in the development on international rules and regulations in order to keep themselves upgraded and prepared.