UNITED KINGDOM, LONDON — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) remains committed to enhancing sea navigation safety as it participates in the Marine Accident Investigators’ International Forum 30 (MAIIF30) meeting at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from October 9 to October 13, 2023.
The MARINA, represented by Enforcement Service Director Ronaldo Bandalaria, signifies the agency’s international commitment to the IMO as a flag administration of the Philippines. It is also aligned with the implementation of the updated Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028 aiming for a safer and more secure maritime industry.
During the forum, discussions evolved around important topics such as the reflections on the recent IMSAS audits, safety investigation presentations, human element and its impact on marine casualties, review of MAIIF charter and future plans of MAIIF. The MARINA maintains its membership to this international organization to foster camaraderie with other Member States and to adopt their best practices in the conduct of marine safety investigation.
As an archipelagic country, transportation by sea is significantly paramount in the development of our national economy. While shipping is considered the most economical way of transporting cargoes in volume, risk of accidents remains a challenge to the safety of life at sea and to the protection of the marine environment. Hence, the conduct of safety investigation is deemed necessary to minimize, if not to eliminate, similar recurrence of accidents in the future.
MAIIF is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of maritime safety and to the prevention of marine pollution through the exchange of ideas, experiences and information acquired in marine accident investigation. Its primary purpose is to promote and improve marine accident investigation, and to foster international cooperation and communication between marine accident investigators.