On March 16-20, the Inter-national Transport Work-ers’ Federation (ITF) con-

vened meetings of its seafarers’and dockers’ sections, its fair prac-tice committee, as well as otherunits.

Present at the meetings repre-senting the JSU were, among oth-ers, President Yoji Fujisawa, Gen-eral Director Hideo Ikeda, ITFCoordinator Shoji Yamashita andDirector Katsuji Taki.

(1) Discussions on reviewingthe ITF FOC (Flag of Conve-nience) Campaign Policy fromDelhi to Oslo

In accordance with an interimreport on reviewing Chapter 12 ofthe ITF FOC Campaign Policyfrom Delhi to Oslo, which stipu-lates the ITF’s FOC campaignactivities, discussions were heldon campaign and policy strategies.

During the meeting, it wasreported that some Japanese ship-ping companies have insisted onapplying the minimum wages setforth by the ILO to crewmembersworking onboard ships deployedfor the Tangguh LNG Project inIndonesia, despite the fact thatthey benefit from the FOC ships.

To protect seafarers’ fundamen-tal rights and labor conditions,many labor unions, includingthose of countries that supply sea-men, agreed on the necessity forfirmly maintaining the systemunder which countries of ship-owners that benefit from FOC ves-sels should be more responsiblethan flag states.

As there are clearly anti-ITFmoves among Japanese shipown-ers, chairman Brian Orrell of theseafarers’ section confirmed that

the maintenance of the systemwas important.

When the FOC campaign poli-cies were reviewed, it was con-firmed that bilateral agreementswould be encouraged to produceoptimum results that could be real-ized for seafarers while prioritizingnegotiations under the system.

(2) About the requests sub-mitted by unions for revisingthe 2010-2011 IBF FrameworkTCC Agreement

After a report by the secre-tariat regarding demolitions,lay-ups and other developmentsin the shipping market, whichhas been impacted by the glob-al economic stagnation, re-quests submitted by unions forrevising the 2010-2011 IBFFramework TCC Agreementwere discussed.

As for wage revisions, the meet-ing was divided into two groups –

ITF meetings, See Page 4

Beat theheat...or elsePage 3

INSIDE

On March 12, the Min-istry of Land, Infra-structure, Transportand Tourism (MLIT)

of Japan convened the Philippine-Japan Seafarer Policy Forum inTokyo for the purpose of exchang-ing opinions and information sur-rounding seamen, their develop-ment, and other relevant issues.

Organizations from Japan andthe Philippines concerned withmaritime affairs attended theforum, including Secretary ofLabor and Employment MarianitoD. Roque.

The All Japan Seamen’s Union(JSU) was represented by Presi-dent Yoji Fujisawa, Vice PresidentNorimasa Ouchi, InternationalAffairs Bureau General DirectorHideo Ikeda, Fishery AffairsBureau General Director KenichiTakahashi, General Affairs BureauShinichi Tanaka and six othermembers.

In July 2007, the JSU had takenthe initiative in setting up a laborand management preparatorycommittee in preparation of estab-

lishing a council of the Japaneseand Filipino governments, laborand management for discussingseafarer issues.

Thereafter, the governments,labor and management workedcooperatively on seafarer issues inthe Asia-Pacific region. In particu-lar, they worked hard to secureand develop skilled mariners.

When the transport ministers ofJapan and the ASEAN countriesmet in November 2008 for theirthird assembly, they agreed toestablish a joint program to culti-vate an increased number of sea-farers.

It was as part of this agreementthat the Philippine-Japan SeafarerPolicy Forum was created.

During the forum, on behalf ofthe MLIT, Director-General ShigeruItoh of the Maritime Bureau said,“Prior to this forum, the Japaneseand Filipino ministers agreed on a

memorandum of understanding(MoU) to promote an internationalproject to jointly develop Asianseafarers as a cooperative frame-work between the nations, includ-ing the use of ships owned by theMAAP (Maritime Academy of Asiaand the Pacific) to train and edu-cate officers working for theJapanese commercial fleet.”

“If the countries make efforts todevelop high-quality seafarers, Iam sure that it will lead not onlyto further developing the Philip-pine economy, but also to ensur-ing safety and protecting the natur-al environment at sea, to enlargingthe Japanese commercial fleet,” hesaid.

JSU’s Fujisawa gave a keynotespeech, which was warmlyreceived by the Filipino represen-tatives.

“In anticipation of employmentinsecurity as the global economic

stagnation has caused the down-turn in the shipping market, weneed to put up an employmentsafety net to protect Filipino sea-men and their families,” Fujisawasaid.

“It is also necessary to establisha Japan-Philippines informationconnection center in preparationfor concentrating information thatcan contribute to improving seafar-er quality, and ratify the ILO’s(International Labour Union) con-solidated maritime labor conven-tion as soon as possible to protectseamen’s fundamental rights.”

After Fujisawa’s presentation, theInternational Mariners Manage-ment Association of Japan(IMMAJ), the JSU, the MLIT, theNational Institute for Sea Training,and the Philippine-Japan ManningConsultative Council (PJMCC) gavebriefings on their respective effortsregarding training and educating

seafarers. During the discussion part of the

forum, a participant suggested thatdialogue be maintained to contin-ue the project.

To allow more students to gainonboard training and education, itwas suggested that scholarship pro-grams be upgraded and thatimprovements in the softwareaspect be made – such as enhanc-ing education and training pro-grams, and the quality of instruc-tors. Also, improving hardwareaspects such as upgrading the qual-ity of mercantile marine collegesand training ships was suggested.

In conclusion, it was agreedduring the forum that in order toimprove the quality of Filipinocrewmembers, it would be essen-tial to develop a system so that thegovernments, labor and manage-ment can cooperate with eachother more closely and maintainan open dialogue.

It was then confirmed that aworking-level technical meetingwould be held in Manila on April7, and the forum came to a close.

Japan invites seafarer dialogue

Last January, a PhilippineSeafarers’ Union (PSU) officerjoined the All Japan’s SeamenUnion (JSU) to work as a JSU-PSU Liaison Officer, joining theJSU-AMOSUP (Associated Ma-rine Officers’ and Seamen’sUnion of the Philippines) Liai-son Officer at the JSU’s head-quarters.

Fernando M. Castro workedat The Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of thePhilippines (ALU-TUCP) since1981, and was assigned to thePSU after its founding in 1984.He held several positions at thePSU before his appointmentthere as operations officer in1995.

Castro used to visit vesselscalling at Philippine ports thathad agreements with the PSUto provide information on PSU

benefits and services. He alsovisited various Philippine man-ning agencies whose vesselswere covered under the PSU toconduct union briefings to PSUmembers. Castro replaced for-mer JSU-PSU Liaison OfficerMelchor Villanueva, whoworked for the JSU from July toNovember 2007.

JSU ISS Jesson M. Rizalajoined the JSU on March 16.Early in his career, he workedaboard various merchant ves-sels as a licensed engineer andlater became an instructor atvarious maritime training cen-ters.

He is also an accredited Tech-nical Education and Skills Devel-opment Authority (TESDA)assessor in the maritime sector,and has been for the past eightyears.

New JSU-PSU Liaison Officerand ISS join JSU HQ

ITF holds Seafarers, Dockers, Fair Practice meetings

JSU delegates headed by President Yoji Fujisawa (abovephoto) during the ITF Seafarers’ Section Meeting, Dockers’Section Meeting and Fair Practices Committee Meeting.

Fernando M. Castro, JSU-PSU Liaison Officer (left) andJesson M. Rizala, JSU ISS

(2) MARCH/APRIL 2009MARITIME NEWS

BAYANI A. JABOLIJSU UNION OFFICER

On April 1, 39 Filipino cadetsfrom the Maritime Academy of Asiaand the Pacific (MAAP) boardedM/V Seiun Maru in Tokyo, a dedi-cated training vessel belonging tothe National Institute for Sea Train-ing (NIST) in Japan.

The Filipino cadets will trainonboard the vessel for two months,along with 115 Japanese cadets.Upon completion of the onboard

training, the MAAP cadets willreturn to campus to complete theirmaritime courses before joiningmerchant vessels of Japanese ship-ping companies.

This is the third group of Filipinocadets from the MAAP to trainonboard M/V Seiun Maru.

This program is jointly spon-sored by the All Japan Seamen’sUnion (JSU) and the InternationalMariners Management Association

Training ship, See Page 4

Japan is giving US$8 million inaid to Malaysia to upgrade its mar-itime security equipment in theStraits of Malacca and territorialwaters.

About $2 million will be used toenhance the capacity of the MarineOperations Force and around $6million to boost the capabilities ofenforcement agencies in prevent-ing smuggling and other illegalactivities.

The assistance will also strength-en Customs’ capability to conductregular and sustained sea patrols,as well as special sea operations.

The foreign ministry’s secretary-general Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isaand Japanese ambassador toMalaysia, Masahiko Horie, signedthe agreements relating to the aid.

The Japanese government hadbeen providing aid and loans inthe form of official developmentassistance to Malaysia for manyyears.

“The aid has helped the Ma-laysian government in implement-ing its national development plansand programs. Malaysia hopes thatJapan will continue to provideassistance to Kuala Lumpur,” Ras-tam said.

Masahiko said about 14,000Japanese ships transit though theStraits of Malacca each month,which mean that upgrading hydro-graphic surveys and wireless sys-tems will be inevitable. (Source:Marlink)

The master of a bulker thatsailed through parts of the GreatBarrier Reef without a pilot hasbeen convicted and fined in aQueensland court.

On March 3, Cido Shipping Co.Ltd.’s Hong Kong-registeredCharlotte Bulker, managed bySibamar Ship Management Pte

Ltd. of Singapore and operatedby Lauritzen Bulkers A/S, crossedthe Whitsundays CompulsoryPilotage Area without a pilot andsailed outside the designatedshipping lane.

Chang Quan Xu, a 46-year-oldChinese national, appeared inGladstone Magistrates Court to

face charges brought by the Aus-tralian Federal Police (AFP)under the Great Barrier ReefMarine Park Act 1975.

He was fined A$6,500 (US$4,430), against a possible indi-vidual penalty of A$11,000 orA$55,000 under a corporatepenalty. Pilotage in the Great

Barrier Reef Marine Park is com-pulsory for vessels over 70meters.

The AFP said the principalrisks of not having a pilot onboard relate to the potential forship grounding, ship collisionand chemical and oil pollution.(Source: Fairplay)

A South African security compa-ny is to provide its services to shipsoperating in the Gulf of Aden, aPretoria seminar was told recently.

SecuroQuest is made up of for-mer special forces and jet fighterpilots. The company is expected tobe based in Egypt and will joinships sailing from the northernentrance of the Suez Canal as far as

Oman. Guards placed on vessels – with

combat experience in Africa andthe Middle East – will be armed orunarmed, depending on theirclients’ wishes.

At least two leading shippingcompanies have expressed interestin engaging the services of Securo-Quest, which chief executive offi-

cer Schalk Fourie described asbeing unique in being able tointroduce a hands-on experienceof African ideology and thinking tothe challenges faced by shippinglines from Somali-based pirates.“We’re able to bring first worldtechnology and methodology towhat is a third world pirate envi-ronment, which requires a thor-

ough knowledge of how thepirates think and act,” Fourie said.

“This will not be a gunslingercowboy approach to a seriousinternational problem, but a proac-tive response aimed at preventingpirates from getting on board mer-chant ships sailing from the Suezthrough the Red and Arabian seas.”(Source: Tradewinds Today)

Japan givingMalaysia $8 milin security aid

Great Reef Barrier breach puts master in hot water

J apan will apply the tonnage tax sys-tem to 10 domestic oceangoing ship-ping companies over five years from

fiscal 2009, which started in April. The Min-istry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism made the announcement March 24after it approved earlier in the day the 10shipping companies’ plans to increaseJapanese registered vessels and sailors.

The 10 companies include the nation’sthree biggest shipping firms – Nippon YusenKabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Mitsui O.S.K.Lines Ltd. (MOL) and Kawasaki Kisen KaishaLtd. (“K” Line).

The other companies are Asahi ShippingCo. Ltd., Asahi Tanker Co. Ltd., Iino KaiunKaisha Ltd. (Iino Lines), Sanko Steamship Co.Ltd. (Sanko Line), Shinwa Kaiun Kaisha Ltd.,Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Nissho Ship-ping Co. Ltd.

According to the transport ministry, thetonnage tax system is already in place in 17other countries. Greece, the Netherlands,Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom,Denmark, Finland, Ireland, France, Spain,Belgium, the United States, South Korea,

Italy, India, Lithuania and Poland haveintroduced the system in that order.

The Japanese shipping industry has calledfor an early application of the tonnage taxsystem to ensure its international competi-tiveness. The system is expected to have theeffect of reducing taxes on shipping firms.

Japan’s parliament revised the MarineTransportation Law last year to allow thegovernment to apply the tonnage tax sys-tem to domestic oceangoing shipping firmsif they submit plans containing numericaltargets for increasing Japanese-registeredvessels and sailors and get the transportministry’s approval for their plans.

The ministry wants to boost the numberof Japanese registered vessels and sailors inorder to ensure stable transportation ofminimum necessary amounts of goodseven in emergencies, such as large-scalenatural disasters, terrorist acts and politicalupheavals, in the home countries of foreignsailors.

The number of cheaper foreign sailors onships operated by Japanese firms is continu-ing to rise amid increasingly tough interna-

tional competition in the maritime industry.At present, foreign sailors account for 97percent of all seamen on vessels operatedby Japanese oceangoing shipping firms.The number of Japanese sailors hasdeclined to below 3,000. In addition, ofabout 2,000 vessels currently operated byJapanese oceangoing shipping firms, fewerthan 100 are Japanese-registered.

The 10 shipping firms that will be al-lowed to pay tonnage taxes plan to morethan double the total number of their Japan-ese-registered ships to 160 within the nextfive years from the current 76 ships.

These figures include not only ships the10 firms own alone, but also vessels theyown jointly with other domestic firms thatwill not be required to pay tonnage taxes.The number of these jointly owned shipshas been calculated in accordance with the10 firms’ ownership ratios.

The 10 shipping firms also plan to in-crease the total number of their Japaneseseafarers to 1,138 within the next five yearsfrom the current 1,050. (Source: Journal ofCommerce)

The former chief engineer on theCypriot-flag chemical tanker Nau-tilus, operated by Spain-based Con-sultores de Navegacion S.A., plead-ed guilty to using falsified recordsto conceal improper discharges ofoil-contaminated bilge water. TheU.S. Justice Department said thatCarmelo Oria, a Spanish citizen,faces up to six years imprisonmentand a US$250,000 fine.

Japan approves tonnage tax scheme for shipping firms

South African company offers ships security against piracy

‘M/V Seiun Maru’ is owned by the National Institute for Sea Training.

Filipino cadetsjoin ‘Seiun Maru’39 from the MAAP join 115 Japanese counterparts for 2 months on training vessel

‘Nautilus’ engineer guilty

By reducing taxes, the system is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Japanese shipping industry

(3)MARCH/APRIL 2009 SEAFARERS’ CORNER

VOICES from SEAFARERS

Crew of M/V ATLANTIC ACE with union officer Eduardo Galang

We would like to thank the JSU for its support of member-seafarers.Please continue the ship visitations.

Seaman’s Confession

A married seaman goesto confessional and tells thepriest,“I almost had an affairwith a woman.”

The priest asks,“What doyou mean, almost?”

“Well, we got undressedand rubbed together, butthen I stopped.”

The priest replies, “Rub-bing together is the same asputting it in. You’re not togo near that woman again.Now, say five Hail Mary’sand put $50 in the poorbox.”

The seaman leaves con-fessional, says his prayers,and then walks over to thepoor box. He pauses for amoment and then starts toleave.

The priest quickly runsover to him and says,“I sawthat. You didn’t put anymoney in the poor box!”

”Well, Father, I rubbed upagainst it and you said it wasthe same as putting it in.”

By Union Officer Eduardo E. Galang

JOKE CORNER

Capt. Ray Luis Capalaran and crewof M/V TRANS LEADER

Free e-mail access is one of the services we need help in availing so thatwe can keep in constant touch with our family back home. Thank you foryour support.

Capt. Jesus De Isidro and crew of M/V CAPE HOPE

We are grateful for JSU union officers having taken time to visit usonboard, and giving us the latest information on the shipping industry. Theshipping crisis is now picking up momentum as more vessels are laid up orits operations halted, and the JSU is doing its part to try to alleviate theeffect of the crisis among seafarers; this has helped to lift our spirits. Wehope that you will continue with your support and visits to all your membervessels, and provide us with the latest updates in shipping.

Capt. Mario R. Ladra and crew of M/V GLOBAL PRESTIGE

I am proud to be a member of the JSU and am fully satisfied with theservices that they are providing for its members. For those ratings whocannot take the board exam and are being left behind without gettingtheir dream positions, I hope your interest to become officers will con-tinue with the implementation of the walk-in exam being offeredthrough funding by the JSU.

What is heatstroke?Heatstroke is a condition in

which the body becomes overheat-ed in a relatively short amount oftime. This can be a life-threateningcondition, requiring urgent medicalattention.

Abnormally high body tempera-tures (hyperthermia) may occur inseveral different circumstances,such as:

• Classic heatstroke (also calledsunstroke, which is a little mislead-ing because the condition can arisewithout the direct effect of the sun)is when, typically, the skin isflushed, red and dry

• Heatstroke caused by exertion,which often occurs in conjunctionwith pronounced physical exertion,e.g. sports activity

• In extensive burns (includingsunburn), where the sweat glandshave been damaged or destroyed

• In a number of less commonmedical conditions, such as overactivity of the thyroid gland (thyro-toxicosis)

When can heatstroke occur? Heatstroke occurs when the

body cannot dispose of excess heat

in the normal way. Heatstroke andfever can be distinguished as fol-lows:

• A fever is where the body’smechanism for regulating tempera-ture is functioning but set at a high-er level. The patient is, typically,flushed and bathed in sweat

• Primary hyperthermia (e.g.heatstroke) is where temperatureregulation is either partially or total-ly out of action. The patient oftensweats only a little or not at all andthe skin is flushed red, hot and dry

What puts the traveler at risk of suf-fering heatstroke?

• Surroundings with high tem-perature, high humidity and strongsunlight (typically in the tropics)

• Too much physical exertion(e.g. sports), particularly in theabove conditions, extensive sun-burn, particularly in a hot andhumid climates

• Lack of fluids/salt in hot (par-ticularly tropical) surroundings; andexcessive alcohol consumptionunder the same conditions

What can you do to help yourself?• It is important to get used to

the heat and humidity slowly, par-ticularly before physical exertion.This acclimatization to the tropicscan typically take one to threeweeks

• Make sure you drink plenty ofsalty liquids (at least 3 to 5 liters aday, but not alcohol). In very hotconditions you may need to drinkmuch more and a good tip is tostart the day by drinking at leasttwo liters

• Make sure you supplementyour salt intake (for example byeating chips and/or taking salttablets)

• Wear light, airy, loose-fittingclothing (light cotton)

• Be careful if you undertakeany hard physical exertion, particu-larly if your fluid/salt intake is low

• Stay in the shade or, if possi-ble, in an air-conditioned environ-ment

• Take frequent dips in coolwater (sea or pool), particularly ifyou are sunbathing a lot

When does heatstroke become criti-cal?

• It becomes critical when yourbody temperature reaches around

41 degrees Celsius (measured inthe rectum)

• You feel increasingly unwell,tired and dizzy, and your head mayhurt and you may feel “distant”

• If your skin becomes flushedred and dry (e.g. perspiration isreduced or not functioning)

• You produce less urine,which is of a dark yellowishcolor (which indicates a shortageof fluid)

• You become less alert, witha tendency to faint, and experi-ence confusion, impairment orloss of consciousness and con-vulsions

• At temperatures above 42degrees Celsius the situationstarts to be serious. Cell damageto the brain, liver, kidneys andskeletal muscle can occur, inaddition to bleeding disorders

Countering a heatstrokeIf a person suffers from heat-

stroke, it is important to put him orher in the shade and preferably in acool environment (ideally an air-conditioned room at a temperatureof 15 degrees Celsius to 18 degreesCelsius).

The patient should be undressedand made to lie naked, or coveredonly by a thin sheet.

If the patient’s temperaturerises to 39.5 degrees Celsius, andthe skin is still dry and burninghot (or with only very slightsweating) he or she should beshowered with cool water (15degrees Celsius to 18 degreesCelsius).

You can also put the person ina bath of cool water while mas-saging the skin to increase circula-tion. Another possibility is tocover the patient with wet sheetsor towels, changing them often,preferably in combination with anelectric fan, or something similarto bring the temperature downfurther.

Do not use water cooler than 15degrees Celsius because this willrestrict heat loss as the blood ves-sels in the skin will contract.

If possible, the patient should betaken to a doctor, or better still ahospital, as soon as possible. Aperson with heatstroke often needsoxygen, a drip (fluid infusion intoa vein) and sometimes medication.(Source: Men’s Health)

Things to be aware of in preventing and countering heatstroke

The good seaman weathersthe storm he cannot avoid,and avoids the storm he can-not weather.

– Proverb –

The United States and Canadaplan to establish new pollution-control zones for ports along theircoasts, a policy that would forcedomestic and foreign ships alike tocurb emissions linked to thou-sands of illnesses and prematuredeaths each year.

The restrictions announced bythe Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) outlined in arequest to the International Mar-itime Organization, will requirelarge vessels such as oil tankers,cruise ships and cargo ships to

either use low-sulfur fuel or newtechnology to ensure that theyemit less sulfur dioxide, nitrogenoxide and soot while within 200nautical miles of the lower 48states. It would also apply to theseven populated Hawaiian Islandsand one uninhabited nature pre-serve, Kahoolawe, as well as toAnchorage.

The EPA said creation of this“emissions control area” will saveas many as 8,300 American andCanadian lives every year by 2020and protect Americans living as farinland as Kansas.

“This is an important – and longoverdue – step in our efforts toprotect the air and water along our

shores, and the health of the peo-ple in our coastal communities,”said EPA Administrator Lisa P.Jackson in Port Newark, N.J., withCoast Guard and state officials.

The International Maritime Orga-nization – a United Nations bodythat oversees air pollution andother policies for oceangoing ves-sels – approved the concept ofemission control areas in October,and the announcement representsthe strongest interpretation possi-ble under that law.

Under the proposal ships mustuse fuel with no more than 1,000parts per million of sulfur begin-ning in 2015. (Source: WashingtonPost / March 31, 2009)

Mariners venturing ashore atMexican ports are being urged totake special care because drug-related violence is escalating.

Most attacks on foreignershave occurred in areas borderingthe United States, but an intelli-gence analyst in Washington toldFairplay that ports also pose aspecial danger: “Drug dealers inMexico operate both in the bor-der area and near ports where

illicit drug shipments often comeashore in smaller craft.”

He urged mariners to travelashore in groups, avoid “danger-ous” areas of towns, stay alert tothreats and remain in contactwith the ship or its agent. Healso suggests that seafarers estab-lish a “duress code” to use onthe phone when in the presenceof potential criminals.

These recommendations are

similar to warnings issued todayby the U.S. Transportation Secu-rity Administration to truckerswho venture across the U.S.Mexico border to make pickupsor deliveries.

Since 2004, more than 200Americans have been killed inviolence spurred by warring drugcartels fighting each other andthe government. (Source: Fair-play)

(4) MARCH/APRIL 2009ADVISORIES/WARNINGS

ALL JAPAN SEAMEN’S UNION

15-26, Roppongi 7-Chome,Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0032

Tel.: (03) 5410-8320Fax: (03) 5410-8336E-mail: iss@jsu.jpInternet: http://www.jsu.or.jp

Publisher: Shinichi Tanaka

Send inquiries to the attentionof Mr. Masanobu Makizoe,Director, Foreign Trades Dept.

Caution urged at Mexican ports

Crying wolf in this case trans-lates to “beacon overboard” –and paying a fine of US$5,500for “falsely activating an emer-gency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB),” as the FederalCommunications Commission(FCC) termed it.

The owner of Honolulu fish-ing vessel Princess K hadacquired a new digital EPIRB ayear ago. He placed the old unitin a plastic bag and – onceunder way – told a crewman to“take care of it.” He tossed itoverboard.

But that activated the unit andtriggered “transmission of falsedistress communications” – anda Coast Guard search that costmore than $35,000 in aircrafttime alone.

The FCC originally demandedthat the owner pay an $8,000fine, but the agency reduced thefine and reminded vessel own-ers that they are “responsible forthe actions of their employees.”(Source: Fairplay)

Training ship: To benefit Japan, Philippine maritime industries

ITF: JSU urgesemployment safetynet for seafarers

Tossing sendswrong signal

U.S., Canada plan pollution control zonesOur members’ ships have been

affected by pirate attacks on bothwest and east coasts of Africa.

As such, experience gained fromthe significantly increased pirateattacks on merchant ships in theGulf of Aden and off the coast ofSomalia has identified some effec-tive precautions that crews andowners can take to protect them-selves.

First, before transiting the Gulfof Aden, register the ship withMaritime Security Centre – Horn ofAfrica (MSCHOA) as well as theposition, speed and course of thevessel with U.K. Maritime TradeOffice Dubai (UKMTO) wellbefore arrival at the transit corri-dor. To register see details below:

MSCHOA – Via Web site forreporting: www.mschoa.org; tel:+44 (0) 1923 958545; fax: +44 (0)1923 958520; Email: postmas-ter@mschoa.org

UKMTO – Email: UKMTO@eim.ae; tel: +971 50 552 3215; fax:+971 4 306 5710; telex: (51)210473

It appears so far that none ofthose ships that have taken boththese precautions have beenhijacked. However, still less than 40percent of ships transiting the arearegister with the security center.

Some common vulnerabilitieshave been identified from analysisof successful attacks made againstships. These are frequently exploit-ed by pirates:

• Low speed – to date no suc-cessful attacks have occurred onships at 15 knots or more

• Low freeboard • Inadequate planning and pro-

cedures • Visibly low state of alert or

evident self protective measures –vigilance should be highest atdawn and dusk, when the majorityof attacks have taken place

• Slow response by the ship –the majority of attempted hijackshave been repelled by those ships’crews who have planned andtrained in advance of the passageand employed passive countermeasures to good effect

Attacks have been successfullyundertaken at a greater range fromthe shore using a pirate “mothership,” a larger ship carrying per-sonnel, equipment and smallerassault craft. Commonly two ormore small high-speed (up to 25knots) open boats or “skiffs” areused in attacks often approachingfrom the port quarter and stern.(Source: UK P&I Club)

Best defenseagainst pirates

From Montreal to LakeOntario, the maximum al-lowable draft will be 80.8 dm,subject to favorable water ele-vations (effec. March 31). Thisincrease applies to all vessels.Mariners are reminded that forships loaded to a draft greaterthan 80.0 dm, speeds will bemonitored carefully betweenSt. Lambert Lock and St. Nico-las Island. (Source: Marlink)

Seaway notice:max. allowable draft

From Page 1

one demanding further wagehikes in relation to officers’ wagesand the other insisting thatemployment be secured for sea-men who are affected by thescrapping and laying up of ships.

Meanwhile, the JSU asked themeeting to consider the fact thatJapan’s Big Three shipping com-panies – Nippon Yusen Kaisha(NYK), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K”Line) – have unveiled plans toreduce their fleets of charteredships by 5 percent to 10 percent.

The JSU added that the govern-ment of the Philippines’ OverseasWorkers Welfare Administrations(OWWA) should take the initiativein setting an employment safetynet for Filipino seamen.

In terms of International Bar-gaining Forum (IBF) negotiations,the meeting decided to requestthe wage hikes and the applica-tion of disability compensationpayments for those who sufferlifetime injuries during their peri-od of employment. In the end, itwas decided to make all requestswith no cost issues.

From Page 2

of Japan (IMMAJ), in coopera-t ion wi th the Associa tedMarine Officers’ and Seamen’Union of the Phi l ippines(AMOSUP), which manages theMAAP.

The shortage of marine officersis still a concern to the JSU andJapanese shipping companies.Therefore, programs such asthese are intended to increase thenumber of future marine officers

who will man Japanese-ownedvessels.

Guests who attended the“embarkation ceremony” includ-ed Hideo Ikeda, General Directorof International Affairs Bureau ofthe JSU; Vice Adm. Eduardo Ma.Santos AFP (Ret), MAAP Presi-dent; Takao Manji, Chairman ofthe IMMAJ; Capt. YoshinariOkano, President of NIST, as wellas Japanese officers and instruc-tors of the M/V Seiun Maru.

Santos emphasized the signifi-

cance of this training, sayingthat it will be beneficial to futureofficers of the maritime industryof both Japan and the Philip-pines.

Meanwhile, Ikeda encouragedthe Japanese cadets to emulatethe positive attitudes of the Fil-ipino cadets, while advising alltrainees to learn from eachother’s respective cultures.

The cadets will disembark atthe Port of Kobe at the end oftwo months’ training.

Programs such as these are intended to increase the number of future marine officerswho will man Japanese-owned vessels.

To require use of low-sulfurfuel within 200 miles