The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Wednesday, March 27, warned boat captains to avoid overloading or carrying an excess number of passengers in boats during this Semana Santa or Holy Week.
In an interview on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Ronaldo Bandalaria, the enforcement service director of MARINA, mentioned that the manifesto must not breach the authorized figures of passengers.
“Para maiwasan ang overloading, sa parte ng MARINA ay nag-iisyu tayo ng relaxation order na ibigsabihin na kapag na-reach na yung tamang otorisadong pasahero sa isang barko ay pupwede nang maglayag kahit wala pa doon sa tinatawag nilang schedule,” he said.
“Basta magtama yung authorized number of passengers sa manifesto na sinu-submit sa ating Philippine Coast Guard,” Bandalaria added.
He warned that any captain who allowed the overloading shall face corresponding sanctions, and the captain's shipping company will likewise be liable.
The MARINA official reminded boat captains that the safety of their passengers must be their priority.
Bandalaria advised passengers to not force themselves to board an overcrowded boat.
“Kapag puno na at sinabi ng kapitan o Philippine Coast Guard, unahin natin ang ating sariling kapakanan, ang ating kaligtasan [...] Sumunod lamang tayo sa mga patakaran ng shipping lines at asahan natin na nakaalalay ang MARINA at ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para masiguro ang ating kaligtasan at kombinyente ng ating byahe,” he added.
