Will the worlds most deadly shipping line finallly be shut down?

Cebu ferry collision death toll climbs to 104 | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com

According to this article Marina has already started hearings on the cancellation of the certificate of public convenience of Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp previously known as Sulpicio Lines for its involvement in the Cebu Sea disaster last month.

It will be interesting to see, if this the most unsafe shipping line in the entire world will finally be shut down. From the 26 years of history with at least 5 marine disasters involving this shipping line, it seems pretty obvious to me, that there must be rampant corruption within the Marina, since someone is clearly holding the hand over this company.

It started with the Dona Paz disaster in 1987, which is the deadliest sea disaster in peacetime ever, anywhere in the world, with an estimated 4.375 death. Dona Paz was only approved to sail with around 1.600 passengers, and according to the official passenger list, that is exactly how many were on board. However it was just before Christmas, and almost 3.000 extra tickets were illegally sold, after passengers had boarded the boat without a ticket.

The interesting part here is, that the official Marina investigation much to the amazement of survivors and relatives of the dead reached the conclusion, that there were only 1.600 people on board the Dona Paz. And as a consequence of this, the relatives of the almost 3.000 dead passengers, who had purchased illegal tickets onboard the ship, never received any financial compensation from Sulpicio Lines.

In 2008 Sulpicio Lines was responsible for another major sea disaster, when the Princess of The Stars sailed into a category 3 typhoon and had all engines cut out, so the crew was unable to maneuver the ship safely through the storm leading to the death of another 437 people. The ship was also carrying large amounts of toxic chemicals, which is of course highly illegal on passenger ships.

And apparently not much has changed in 20 years. Because although the Marina started a hearing about the cancellation of Sulpicio Lines license to operate back in 2008, 5 years later this hearing has still not been finished. So now there will be no less then two hearings going on against the same company at the same time.

It will be interesting to see, if someone finally have enough "balls" to clean up the corruption in Marina and shut down this disaster of a shipping line.

And it would be good for the country, if it finally happened. Because while other shipping lines in the Philippines are perhaps not world class, this is definitly a sub-standard performer, if ever there was one. And it is hurting the entire reputation of the Philippines abroad.

After the Cebu sea disaster last month all the international media quoted, that sea disasters are very common in the Philippines due to breach of safety regulations, overloading and poor maintenance. And a lot of this reputation can be rooted back to Sulpicio Lines and all the major disasters, they have been involved in.

So for the sake not only of sea travellers in the Philippines, but also for the entire countrys reputation abroad, it is high time to close down Sulpicio Lines. And let some other companys take over, who can and will provide proper training for crews, proper maintenance of ships and just a minimum of respect for safety laws.

Better late than never.

 

Of course the ships will be sold to another operator, if a shipping company is shut down. But the ships are not the problem. The problem is the way, the whole operation is run.

Shutting down a transport company, that seriously and repeatedly has violated safety rules, also has some kind of preventive effect. It sends a clear message to other might-be violaters, that they should think twice about, what they do. Just like putting a criminal in jail, after he committed his crime. Its just the same.

In Indonesia the crash of Adam Air flight 574 back in 2007 cast shadows over the entire countries air safety and eventually led to the banning of all indonesian airlines from landing in EU. However indonesian authorities actually took action and shut down Adam Air only 1 year after the disaster.

And yes this has helped. Flying is now safer in Indonesia, than it used to be, and as a result 5 indonesian airlines have had the EU ban lifted. So yes progress is possible even in developing countries like Indonesia and Philippines.

The Philippines today is moving forward at a great pace. It is actually the fasting growing economy in Asia after mainland China. And with ambitious targets for Growth in tourism, I just can`t see, how the country can afford to keep deadly relics from the past like Sulpicio Lines operating in its seas.

After all Sulpicio Lines have already killed more than 5.000 people with their negligence and disregard for safety, where Adam Air "only" managed to kill 102 during its years of operation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Air

 

Of course they can not be shut down, if there is rampant corruption in Marina. So that Marina clear Sulpicio Lines of any fault, even its obvious to everybody else, that they have seriously breached safety regulations by taking on almost 3 times as many passengers as allowed and not keeping outlook on the bridge while sailing. Thats why I started saying, that it will be interesting to see, if someone finally have the balls to clean up corruption in Marina.

About your last statement "remember what country you are in", I refuse to accept that kind of pessimism. While it is a slow and difficult process, it IS possible to reduce corruption and enhance safety in public transport. So of course it is possible in the Philippines as well.

 

I didn't find Wryes staement as pessimism. I think that what Wrye was trying to say is that while "we are moving forward at a great pace", we must face reality and keep a lookout for obstacles ahead of us, lest we plow into something that may sink us. So I find his statement a reality, we must remember where we are and watch out around us, because for the most part, nobody else here seems to bother and if they are rich and powerful will do so with impunity.

Larry

 

A very good advise indeed, if you do not use and sharpen your senses, you may ran aground anywhere, If you are a "newbe", this is the first thing to concentrate on, watch and learn fast, it will make your live easier and safer...