PCG urges locals: report

Illegal banca operations

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug 8 (PIA)—Noting that it would only take once major incident to unpin Bohol from the tourism map, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western Bohol urges Boholanos to help them implement applicable safety rules at sea, to equip tourists with a fighting chance to be safe even during sea-crossing accidents.

PCG Chief master-at-arms (CMAA) Ensign Lito Pascua Jr., at the Kapihan sa PIA said while they are thinly spread covering the six designated jump-off areas to Panglao’s island hopping and dolphin watching tours, in their case, familiarity with the uniformed men allows fly-by-night operators to slip out into the sea, from non-designated departure points.

Pascua’s calls sounded amidst the implementation of stricter Recreational Safety Evaluation and Inspection (RSEI) which the PCG has been tasked to implement to ensure recreational safety especially in tourism related marine and aqua activities.

Last June, the PCG brought to Bohol its information campaign on recreational safety, in a re-echo engagement with Bohol’s leading beach resort owners especially those with swimming pool operations, beachfront marine activities and dive tours.

No less than PCG deputy commander for maritime safety command Commodore Rommel Supangan, explained that the forum aimed to update resort owners and water recreational activities operators of the most recent updates in safeguarding guests, especially in Bohol which is one of the busiest hubs for marine recreational tourism activities in the country.

According to the Maritime Authority of the Philippines (MARINA), all passenger carrying boats must have onboard a licensed captain’s, vessel Registration, a recreational boat safety certificate, vessel permit to operate, passenger cruise license, boat registration and a communications equipment, to be inspected every time a vessel departs.

Also for PCG boarding team inspection are safety equipment labels, at least one approved life vest for each person on board, a life ring of at least 24inches in diameter with 75 feet of Rope, a set minimum 3kg anchor with chain at least 1/3 the length of the vessel and 100 feet of Sinking Marine Rope, 2 sets mooring lines at least 10ft Long, a fire extinguisher 1pc 2lb minimum HFC 236fa Type, a sound producing device, first aid kit, compass, navigation lights and tool kit.

Naturally, the PCG would also get into the boat capacity and loading every time it leaves for island hopping and dolphin-watching or dive and snorkel tours.

With the requirements however, fly by night boat operators may have the standard boat markings and registration but may lack other requirements often know the coast guard personnel that they can easily slip through, according to ensign Pascua.

At present, PCG Panglao substation monitors 6 departure areas which are the traditional departure areas since 2018, which to now have not been officially backed by an ordinance, these are in Dumaluan-Bohol Beach Club, Alona, Poblacion, Doljo and in the Bellevue.

According to Pascua, boats that depart without the necessary coast guard clearance can be penalized.

“But considering that Panglao alone has very wide coastlines, any colorum boat operator who does not intend to be cleared can easily do so, but if locals start reporting these operators, it would be easy for the coast guard to trace them,” Pascua said.

Those who depart but are destined for island hopping in Balicasag, can not escape however, as another round of checks happen in the island to implement the carrying capacity policy of the island as per the tourist islands online booking system.

As tourists step into the island, authorities there would ask for the online booking slip, which coincides with the cleared boars from Panglao. Those who leave without PCG clearance are then screened and the boatman, penalized.

Emphasizing the need for clearance, Pascua said a simple absence of a communication equipment when the boat finds an engine trouble in the squall areas near Pamilacan, where the waves can go big, is a matter of life and death.

A simple inspection and clearance goes a long way to keep tourists safe, and an accident especially by colorum operators can cause a viral post that could bring Bohol down. (PIABohol)

COMMUNITY VIGILANCE. Everyone deserves to earn to live, but when it is through means that undermine others, their acts could compromise the whole. To this, PCG ensign Pascua urges locals to call out those who run colorum island hopping, dolphin watching and dive tours, to maintain marine recreational safety. (PIABohol)