Filipino seafarers found in Papua New Guinea waters now safe

MANILA, Philippines – Six Filipino seafarers who jumped for their lives after their vessel sank off the coast of Papua New Guinea are now safe, the labor department said on Wednesday, May 27.

Philippine vessel F/V Champeon 17, which was operated by the Navotas-based Frabelle Fishing Company, sank early morning on May 8.

All six crew members of F/V Champeon 17 were on a life raft when a Taiwan-registered China Steel Growth ship found and rescued them at sea near Wewak, Papua New Guinea.

Headed to Taiwan, the rescuing merchant vessel went out of its original route to search for the Filipinos.

Now in a safe condition are captain Eddie Ramos, shipmate Francisco Culagbang Jr, chief engineer Ray Sareno, oiler Jakeson Sucuje, as well as fishermen Alvin Montes and Jay Makr Vasaya.

Information relayed to Australia

The bulk carrier ship arrived on May 15 with the rescued seamen in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, where all 6 were assisted by Labor Attaché Cynthia Cruz of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) there.

“We shall ensure that the 6 rescued seamen are repatriated to the Philippines safely as soon as possible even as we coordinate efforts for their smooth reintegration into the country,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Information regarding the seamen’s precarious situation at sea was transmitted through radio to the Australian Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) on the day their vessel sank.

Rescuing vessel China Steel Growth was tapped by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center of Port Moresby. The rescue center was alerted by JRCC.

In explaining the seafarers’ status, Baldoz was citing a report by Labor Attaché Rodolfo Sabulao of the POLO in Canberra, Australia.

Filipino seafarers

Baldoz highlighted the need to ensure the 6 seafarers receive government benefits due them when they arrive.

She said it is her department’s paramount concern “to ensure the welfare of Filipino seafarers and their families, especially when maritime accidents like this happen.”

With 300,000 Filipino seafarers deployed annually, “there is always the likelihood that a Filipino seafarer may be on board when a ship is reported to be involved in an accident anywhere in the world,” she said.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Philippines is the world’s top supplier of seafarers. Around 20% of the world’s seafarers are Filipinos. More than one million of them are registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. 

However, the ILO also said that only a small percentage of the 20,000 graduates of Philippine maritime schools and training centers each year actually find employment in the vessels.

A primary concern for seafarers is occupational safety and health, which demands strict compliance from employers and ship operators.

Seafarers “face extremely challenging conditions” while out on sea “living in cramped quarters and at the mercy of the weather,” explained the ILO. – Rappler.com