20 Filipino seafarers at frontlines of international search for MH 370
MANILA – Twenty Filipino seafarers in a foreign ship are among those looking for the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Wednesday.
"We are heartened that our overseas Filipino seafarers are contributing to the international effort to locate the missing Malaysian Airlines flight 370," she said in a news release.
The 20 Filipino seafarers are on board Norwegian-registered car carrier Höegh St. Petersburg, which is involved in the search off Australian waters.
Baldoz also hailed Höegh Fleet Services Phils. Inc. (HFSP), a subsidiary of Höegh Fleet Services of Norway and the ship's owner, for its preference for overseas Filipino seafarers.
"I am confident our seafarers on board the Höegh St. Petersburg will perform what is expected of them. They are competent, very professional, and knowledgeable," Baldoz said.
MH 370 vanished while en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Beijing, China on 8 March 2014 with some 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The search for the plane continues.
Höegh St. Petersburg is a 27,352-DWT vessel. Its manpower complement includes 20 Filipino marine officers and crew. The ship, under the auspices of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, is presently engaged in the search for debris thought to belong to the ill-fated Malaysian airliner off Perth, Australia in the southern Indian Ocean.
Reports indicate that the Höegh St. Petersburg was the first ship in the location where Australian aircraft spotted what were supposed to be the airline's debris. The ship was on its way from South Africa to Australia when it diverted its course to the area after the AMSA requested its assistance. It immediately conducted search operation after it arrived in the area on 20 March.
Relative to this, Baldoz directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to work with Höegh Fleet Services Phils. Inc. in monitoring the ship and ensuring the welfare of the Filipino seafarers onboard the vessel. The company presently employs 1,500 Filipino seafarers.
Filipinos account for the biggest number of overseas seafarers; they are preferred for their competence, hard work, and ability to speak English.
By: InterAksyon.com
March 26, 2014 10:09 AM