With the Holy Week exodus fast approaching, the Philippines’ Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has launched an intensified inspection program for passenger ships, an initiative aimed at enhancing maritime safety during one of the country’s busiest travel seasons.

The initiative, which began on April 1 and will run until April 12, places passenger safety at the forefront as thousands prepare to travel to their provinces for Holy Week.

Led by MARINA’s administrator Sonia Malaluan, the inspections focus on high-traffic sea routes, particularly those along the Philippines’ nautical highway system, which experience heavy passenger traffic.

“This is the first time we’re doing this—two weeks of targeted inspections before the peak period,” Malaluan said in a mix of Filipino and English during a media interview aboard the Starlite Stella Maris at Batangas Port on April 1.

“Our priority and focus are passenger ships on high-traffic routes, to ensure thorough inspections. We want to make sure that all passenger ships are still compliant with safety requirements before the peak season begins,” she added.

While conducting a random inspection at Batangas Port, Malaluan underscored the agency’s commitment: “Safety is non-negotiable. With the expected surge of passengers this Holy Week, we are doubling our efforts to ensure that vessels comply with safety protocols and are ready to transport passengers safely and efficiently.”

Malaluan met with Philippine Coast Guard personnel.

Partnership with coast guard

Malaluan also met with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s District Southern Tagalog Commander Geronimo Tuvilla to coordinate inter-agency efforts on passenger safety and vessel compliance, reaffirming MARINA’s strong partnership with the PCG in enforcing maritime safety regulations.

During the meeting, both officials emphasized the need for a unified government approach to maritime safety and environmental protection.

“Our main objective is to ensure the safe and smooth operation of ships during the peak season. The safety of passengers remains our top priority, and this is why we continue to strengthen our partnership with the PCG,” said Malaluan.

Traditionally, MARINA conducts annual inspections before issuing safety certificates to vessels. Additional checks are performed during peak seasons through Oplan programs, which often involve assistance desks and last-minute inspections. However, Malaluan noted that this setup has limitations.

“Often, inspections during the peak season are done when ships are about to depart and already full of passengers,” she explained. “If a deficiency is discovered, it’s difficult to act immediately. That’s why we’re doing this now — early — so we can fix any issues before passengers come aboard.”

During inspections, MARINA inspectors use a comprehensive checklist that covers engine maintenance, life-saving appliances such as life vests and life rafts, and firefighting equipment, among others. These inspections are being conducted by seven MARINA teams deployed across the country.

“Right now, they (the ships) have valid safety certificates,” Malaluan said. “But with daily operations, wear and tear happens. We want to confirm that life-saving appliances are not just present but accessible, functional, and properly maintained. We check if life vests are available for every passenger, if life rafts are serviced, and that no equipment is padlocked or difficult to deploy.”

She pointed to the white capsule-like structures along the ship’s deck. 

“Those are the inflatable life rafts. They’re in addition to life vests. It’s not enough to just have equipment onboard — it has to be ready to use.”

MARINA inspected the Starlite Stella Maris, a vessel with a 436-passenger capacity built in 2018 and classified by Japan’s ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai), a member of the International Association of Classification Societies. The ship passed the inspection, with all safety equipment reportedly in good condition.

“ClassNK applies very high international standards for safety and maintenance,” Malaluan explained. “This is our benchmark when it comes to safety and quality standards.”

MARINA’s inspections are concentrated in regions with the highest volume of sea passengers. Batangas Port, for instance, serves as a gateway to destinations like Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and the Visayas. One inspection team is assigned to cover this area, including nearby ports like Lucena.

In the Visayas, other teams are stationed in Cebu City and surrounding areas, tasked with checking vessels going to Bantayan Island and other popular destinations. With limited time, Malaluan admitted that MARINA won’t be able to inspect every single passenger ship.

“There are around 15 ships in Batangas alone,” she said. “If we inspect three per day, that’s already a lot. For larger ships, it takes longer — maybe one or two per day. That’s why we focus on those with heavy passenger traffic and coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard for coverage.”

The PCG plays a crucial role in this operation. While MARINA inspectors, who are mostly naval architects and technical experts, conduct in-depth checks, the PCG handles daily pre-departure inspections and enforcement.

“This program is a joint effort,” Malaluan emphasized. “We can’t be at every port, so we rely on the Coast Guard’s support to complement our safety initiatives.”

When asked what happens if deficiencies are found during inspections, Malaluan explained that corrective actions are based on MARINA’s Ship Safety Service Manual.

“Some deficiencies warrant suspension or non-issuance of a safety certificate. In this case, the safety certificate is valid, but if we find any listed deficiencies, we can suspend it — meaning the ship can’t sail,” she said.

The MARINA chief said some deficiencies are minor and can be addressed immediately. “But if the issue compromises safety, we can suspend the vessel’s safety certificate.”

However, suspensions don’t take effect right away, according to Malaluan. This allows the ship to complete its current trip, requiring the necessary corrections before the next departure.

This proactive approach, Malaluan said, is all about giving operators enough time to comply without disrupting passenger travel plans. 

Malaluan led the intensified monitoring of passenger vessels at Batangas Port on April 1.

Proactive measures and travel tips 

MARINA expects the Holy Week travel surge to begin around April 16 (Holy Wednesday) and peak through April 20 (Easter Sunday). With this in mind, Malaluan urged travelers to plan their trips carefully.

“Many shipping lines now offer online booking. Please check schedules, book your tickets early, and avoid last-minute port arrivals,” she advised. “The usual problem is passengers arriving without tickets and hoping to get onboard, but the ships are already full.”

She also reminded travelers to be mindful of security checks. 

“If you’re bringing a lot of luggage, arrive early. Like in airports, long lines happen at the terminal entrance and X-ray checks. The more baggage, the more time it takes.”

MARINA also hopes to replicate the program during other peak seasons, including All Saints’ Day and Christmas.

“Let’s see after this program. This is our first time doing it before the peak period. If it works, we may repeat it before All Saints’ Day and Christmas — those are the most crowded and high-traffic periods.”

When asked how this new program improves ship and passenger safety, Malaluan said, “We can sleep better at night knowing the ships were inspected, the safety equipment is in order, and passengers are protected before they even board.”

“We’re more confident now that we’ve checked the vessel. Our technical team was able to assess the ship’s current condition, and confirmed its continued compliance with safety requirements,” she added.

All photos credit: Liz Lagniton

Top photo: MARINA’s administrator Sonia Malaluan (left) met with Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog Commander, Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla (right), to strengthen MARINA-PCG collaboration for safe Holy Week travel.