Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Vessel Safety
Enforcement
Inspection (VSEI)

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Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, the students
should be able to:
• Familiarize on the guidelines of
movement of vessels during heavy
weather;
• Familiarize the conduct of the following:
• Pre-Departure Inspection (PDI);
• Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure
(MDSD); and ________________________________
• Boarding Procedures.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Republic Act 9993

“An act establishing the Philippine Coast
Guard as an armed and uniformed service
attaches to the Department of Transportation
and Communications, thereby repealing
Republic Act No. 5173, as amended and for
other purposes

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Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Rule 3 (b). To inspect on all merchant ships and

vessels, including but shall not be limited to
inspections prior to departure, to ensure and
enforce compliance with safety standards, rules and
regulations;
Rule 3 (c). To detain, stop or prevent a ship or
vessel which does not comply with safety
standards, rules and regulations from sailing or
leaving port; and

Rule 3 (d). To conduct emergency readiness

evaluation on merchant marine________________________________
vessels.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

GUIDELINES OF MOVEMENT OF VESSELS

DURING HEAVY WEATHER
- are prescribed policies on the movement of vessels during
the occurrence of a tropical depression, storm or typhoon
in the Philippine Area of Responsibility to prevent the
occurrence of maritime accident and damage to the
marine environment.

- It shall be applied to all vessels operating within the

territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines except for tugboats,
government-operated vessels and commercial vessels
called upon by the PCG to assist in a specific search and
rescue operation.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Definition of Terms:
• Detention - the act of preventing ships from leaving
port due to violations or conditions
presenting danger to the ships or persons
onboard and/or harm to the marine
environment.

• Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

- designated area in Northwestern Pacific where the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) is tasked to monitor tropical cyclone
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occurrences.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

• Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 1

- declared if winds of 30 – 60 kph (16 – 32 knots) are
expected in the locality in at least 24 hours.

• Short Distance Voyages

- refers to those voyages where the distance from the point
of origin to the point of destination shall not exceed four
kilometers (2.16 NM) or voyages from the point of origin to
the point of destination can be completed within thirty
minutes or voyages from the point of origin, route and point
of destination, altogether are within the line of sight.
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Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

• Special Areas
- refers to areas within bays and rivers or enclosed by
natural covers or sheltered zones whose natural
topographical characteristics makes its area less
vulnerable to adverse effects of the prevailing weather.
The following are declared as Special Areas:
1. Iloilo Strait
2. Tañon Strait between Boracay and Caticlan
3. Pier 3, Port of Cebu to Muelle Osmeña Pier, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu
4. Mukas – Ozamis Route
5. Km. 11 – Villarica Pier along Pakiputan Strait between Davao City
and Island Garden City of Samal
6. Sasa Barge Wharf – Maewess Babak Wharf Route
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7. All other areas as the Commandant, PCG may declare as Special
Areas.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

POLICIES
A. When PSWS No. 1 or higher is hoisted by PAGASA, no
vessel of any type or tonnage shall be allowed to sail
except to take shelter.

B. All vessels already underway shall seek when any PSWS

is hoisted in its immediate vicinity, along its route, and point
of destination.

C. It is the responsibility of the ship owner/operator and

Master or Patron of the vessel on how to seek shelter and
ensure the safety of the ship. ________________________________
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

D. Inform the nearest PCG unit of the decision to

depart to seek shelter as may be necessary and
submit voyage plan.

E. Vessels are allowed to leave port only to

take shelter and shall depart without
passengers and/or cargo onboard.

F. Vessels and motorboats engaged in short

distance voyages within special areas may sail
when PSWS No. 1 is hoisted provided the following
conditions are strictly satisfied:________________________________
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

1. Voyage shall only be from sunrise to sunset, the

ship must arrive at the point of destination 30
minutes before sunset;

2. Sea condition is calm to gentle breeze with the

prevailing wind speed in the area is not more than 30
kph or 16 knots based on PAGASA or other reputable
sources;

3. Rain showers in the point of origin, route or

destination should be light rains with the rate of fall is
from trace to 2.5 mm per hour;

4. There is good visibility. The route and area of

destination is seen by the naked________________________________
eye from the point
of origin;
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

5. Duly licensed passenger vessels or motorboats

shall only carry passengers not exceeding 50% of its
authorized passenger capacity as per MARINA
issued Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC);

6. For passenger boats with open decks, passengers

including children and crew shall wear lifejackets
prior to the departure of vessel or motorboat and until
disembarkation at the point of destination;

7. Masters and Boat Captains shall ensure that

maximum precautionary measures shall be observed in
ensuring the proper lashing and stowage of cargoes
________________________________
loaded onboard the vessel or motorboat prior departure.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

8. There shall be a designated look-out and

standby Emergency Boat provided by any of
the Local Government Unit(s) or Shipping
Company or Motorboat Association in the
origin and/or destination in case assistance
will be needed; and

9. There shall be a reliable communication

link between vessels and motorboats and the
designated standby Emergency Boat and the
PCG. ________________________________
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Questions?
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

MASTER’S DECLARATION OF
SAFE DEPARTURE (MDSD)

Memorandum Circular 05-12

________________________________
dated 24 August 2012
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

GENERAL PROVISIONS
- It is a statement of the Master of the vessel executed
before the Station Commander or Sub-Station
Commander, submitted prior to departure to attest the
vessel’s safe condition, status proper compliance to
safety rules and readiness to sail to its intended
voyage.

- This guideline shall be applied to the Master of

Philippine registered vessels engage in domestic trade
to include Major Patron/Captain of fishing vessels of
three (3) gross tonnage and above.
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Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

- The PCG shall require to submit MDSD as a condition

prior to departure for the purpose of conducting the
required pre-departure inspection to verify whether the
vessel is fit for the conveyance of passengers and/or
cargoes.
- It shall be prepared by the Master of the vessel with the
prescribed format in Annex A which the original form is
submitted to the PCG Station/Sub-Station at the port of
departure.

- It shall be accompanied with a Voyage Plan, Crew list,

Passenger Main Manifest, Passenger Supplemental
Manifest, Coasting Manifest, Dangerous Cargo Manifest
________________________________
and Permit to Carry Dangerous Cargo.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

- It shall contain a declaration of compliance to safety

standards, rules and regulations, which includes the
following:
1. Completeness and validity of ship certificates and
documents;
2. Compliance with safe manning requirements and crew
certification and qualification document validity;

3. Officers and crew are in healthy and sound condition, not

under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs and fit to
perform duties and responsibilities for the intended voyage;

4. Carriage of cargo and passengers are within authorized

limits, and properly documented;
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Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

5. Required communications and navigational equipment are

complete and in good operating condition;

6. Main and auxiliary engines are in good operating condition;

7. Fire-fighting and life-saving appliances are complete, in good

operating condition, available and accessible to passengers;

8. Proper ship stability and trim, cargo stowage, securing and

lashings are strictly observed;
9. Prevailing weather conditions for intended voyage is safe and
latest weather bulletin and advisory are available;

10. The crew, passenger and cargoes have undergone the

necessary security screening. ________________________________
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Procedures for Vessel Safety Enforcement

Inspection (VSEI) team Regarding MDSD
1. Acknowledge receipt of MDSD by signing over the
printed name and designation at the lower portion of the
document and the attachments thereof by indicating the
day/month/year it is received.

2. Evaluate the correctness and completeness of all

entries and its attachments such as Voyage Plan, Crew
List, Passenger Manifest, Passenger Supplementary
Manifest, Coasting Manifest, Dangerous Cargo Manifest
and Permit to Carry Dangerous Cargo and other pertinent
documents issued by appropriate ________________________________
government agency.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

3. If the vessel has undergone engine repair, check the sworn statement
of the Master stating that the repair has been satisfactorily done
together with the “Certificate of Seaworthiness” from Maritime Industry
Authority (MARINA) as an additional attachment.

4. Require the Master to fill-up all blank items and/or provide necessary
information and sign again the MDSD in the presence of the VSE
inspector if there are incomplete entries on the MDSD and attachments.

5. If there are grounds to believe that the Master deliberately intends

to deceive by entering false information on MDSD submitted, conduct
more detailed inspection, issue Enforcement Apprehension Report
(EIAR) and hold the departure of the vessel until the deficiencies are
rectified.

6. If the MDSD and the attachments are all in order, then the VSE
inspectors shall conduct Pre-Departure ________________________________
Inspection (PDI) to the
vessel.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Questions?
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

PRE-DEPARTURE INSPECTION
(PDI)

Memorandum Circular 07-12

dated 24 August 2012
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

PRE-DEPARTURE INSPECTION (PDI)

- It is an inspection conducted by a VSE

Inspector or Team to all departing merchant
vessels from domestic ports to promote
continuing compliance with safety standards
prescribed by the existing policies, rules and
regulations, marine pollution prevention,
standards on manning and competency of
seafarers.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

It is applied to all Philippine-registered vessels

engaged in domestic trade to include fishing
vessels of three (3) gross tonnage and above;

EXCEPT:
▪ domestic ports except ships not propelled by mechanical
means;

▪ wooden ships of primitive build;

▪ ships of war and troopships and government vessels; and

▪ pleasure yachts not engage in trade.

Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND POLICIES

- Pre-departure inspection shall be conducted to verify
whether the vessel engage in domestic trade is fit for
the conveyance of passengers and cargoes, is
manned by qualified, competent and duly licensed
crew and that is equipped with the required
communications equipment, lifesaving appliances
and firefighting equipment.

- It shall include the video recording of point of

inspections based from the Pre-Departure checklist.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute
- The PCG shall board the vessel to conduct inspections and
verification of the entries declared by the Master in the MDSD
before it leaves the port and proceed to the next voyage.

- PDI does not relieve the Master and shipowner of their duty to
ensure that the vessel is seaworthy.

- The satisfactory assessment after the required inspection prior

departure does not serve to mitigate liabilities of the Master
and shipowner in case of inspection.

- No vessel shall be cleared to depart unless it has been subjected

to pre-departure inspection and has received a satisfactory
assessment or has rectified detainable deficiencies.2

- The submission of the MDSD to the PCG unit concerned

signifies that the vessel and its crew are prepared to undergo
pre-departure inspection which shall forthwith conducted.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

- For vessels with multiple calls on a port on the same

day, it shall be sufficient to conduct one complete of
pre-departure inspection for that day, without
prejudice to the conduct of random inspection at any
time of the day, except for the following items in the
checklist which shall be inspected on a per trip
basis:

1. passenger manifest
2. excess passengers
3. load line/stability
4.cargo lashings to include segregation of dangerous
cargoes
5. malfunctioning equipment/machinery
6. crew manifest
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

- The ship’s Master and shipowner/company management are

equally liable for the following and shall bear the
corresponding penalties to be imposed after due notice and
investigation:
1. Willfully and deliberate issuing tickets for a particular voyage
in excess of the authorized passenger capacity of the vessel;

2. Carrying passengers in excess of the authorized passenger

capacity;

3. Failure to enter the name of passengers in the manifest;

4. Carrying ship’s certificates and documents which are

spurious and/or not original or certified true copy;
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

5. Carrying a spurious copy of the Certificate of Public

Convenience/Provisional Authority/Special Permit shall
be a ground for the ship’s detention;

6. Leaving port without PCG clearance or leaving port with

an outstanding detention order;

7. The fine and penalty to be imposed to Ship Master for

failure to submit MDSD or submitting MDSD with
erroneous entry shall be governed by Memorandum
Circular on MDSD;

8. Failure to present a duly accredited Inspection Record

Book, making erroneous entry therein, or tearing off its
page/s.
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

BOARDING PROCEDURES
Check the:
Hull Condition
Plimsoll Mark The Master’s Office: Document Checking:
Forward Stern/ Draft Mark Explain the purpose of Check the validity of Vessel
Accomodation./ Embarkation visit/inspection Documents & Safety
Ladder Documents
Anchor
Safety Net
Signs of Spill

Inspection Around the Ship (Deck Area)

At the Navigation Bridge Check the:
Communication and Radio Equipment
Deficiency Found Excess Passenger (Operating Condition)
Cargo Loading (Property Lashed) Navigational Equipment
Segregation of Dangerous Cargoes (Operating Condition)
Lifesaving & Firefighting Equipment No Sign of Listing/Property Trim
(Complete & Operating)
Engine Room Machinery & MARPOL
Equipment (Good Operating Condition)
 Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

If YES: If NO:
Issue Enforcement Inspection Apprehension Report (EIAR) Issue Certificate of Orderly
(Refer to VSEI Action Code) & require Master to issue Certificate of Inspection (COI) and require Master
Orderly Inspection (COI) prior disembarkation to issue COI prior disembarkation

Radio Message to CG Station/ District/

Send Notice of Detention/ Deficiencies
CPCG (Attn: CG3/ CG8/ COMCEN/MSSC)
Letter to MARINA & PPA

Schedule Hearing/ Adjudication not

later than 10 working days from date
receipt of EIAR

Issue Notice of Hearing/ Adjudication Inform CG Station/CPCG

(Attn: CG3/CG8/COMCEN/
If YES: CMSSC) through RAD MSG
Conduct Adjudication Proceedings Release from Detention Inform MARINA /PPA
Issue Notice of Release through letter

Is the Deficiency
Payment of Admin If NO: Vessel Remain
Rectified?
detained
Maritime Safety Services Training Institute

Questions?