Author Topic: Coast Guard conducts hearing on scuba, dive shop operations  (Read 696 times)

MikeLigalig.com

  • FOUNDER
  • Webmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 33285
  • Please use the share icons below
    • View Profile
    • Book Your Tickets on a Budget
Coast Guard conducts hearing on scuba, dive shop operations
« on: August 31, 2016, 06:02:33 PM »
Coast Guard conducts hearing on scuba, dive shop operations

TAGBILARAN CITY –Considering tourist safety as prime concern for Bohol and as well as our near perfect dive sites in the country, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) pushes for the passage of a memorandum circular (MC) setting the guidelines for dives in the country, for reasons of safety to life and property.

From a laissez-faire policy on dives and resorts with dive operations, the PCG now is getting its hands into securing that there is clearer guideline for dives and related underwater activities, as it holds a series of public consultations on its mulled guidelines that would be implemented for the entire country.

Last Friday, September 5, the PCG presented the draft MC to divers, dive shop operators and enthusiasts during a public hearing at 1:00 at the Panglao Gymnasium.

Apart from stakeholders and even watercraft operators ferrying tourists, also present were Congressman Rene Relampagos, House Tourism Committee chair, Panglao local officials and even international dive consultants.

Using Republic Act 9993 or the PCG Law and its implementing rules and regulations, with reference to the International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) chapter 3, Philippine Merchant Marines Rules and Regulations, PCG headquarters MC on mandatory pre departure inspections, Marine Authority MC on lifejackets and the Implementing Rules and regulations of The Tourism Act of 2009, the PCG consolidates existing guidelines to form a circular that promotes safety of life and property at sea, according to RADM Rodolfo Isorena of the PCG.

He said the new memorandum circular applies to beach resort owners with dive shops, resorts owners operating watercrafts for bare skin diving or Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diving, accredited dive shops and boat operators who conduct underwater diving operations including fishing and explorative mining.

Among those presented are policies on putting appropriate number of life vests on board watercraft, these should also be subject to pre-departure inspections by authorized PCG personnel, that these should have extra oxygen tanks for emergencies, captains licensed by Marina, now required to report by call or text upon departure to sea and upon its return.

For Scuba diving instructors, they all must be certified by any recognized training institutions like Professional Association of Divers International, Scuba Schools International, Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques and other similar international accrediting organizations.

These scuba divers also must profess to abide by the safety scuba diving activities rules and carry out rescues and initiate necessary emergency actions as well as render reports to nearest PCG detachment any unusual incident pertaining to scuba and other underwater activities.

For beach resort owners and dive shops, they are to be registered and accredited by the PCG, ensure that their scuba diving instructors or dive masters are qualified and certified, that they shall submit list of accredited scuba diving masters or instructors with corresponding certificates and training records as well as ensure they have necessary emergency equipment for emergency purposes.

The MC also add up other tasks to the PCG: monitor and supervise its implementation, maintain data base for scuba divers, resorts with dive shops, receive the applications for accreditation, receive payments for fees and issuances of certificates, penalties for violations, program training for PCG inspection teams to dive shops and pre departure inspection teams. (PIABohol/RAC)

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=82702.0
John 3:16-18 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

👉 GET easy and FAST online loan at www.tala.com Philippines

Book tickets anywhere for planes, trains, boats, bus at www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

Tags: