Tacloban City – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), in response to the request of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 8, conducted Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers/ Operators & Fisherfolks with Typhoon Preparedness (BSTMHOF) to twenty-eight (28) members of the Municipal Fisherfolks Association – Visayas Cluster on 28-29 October 2022.

The Basic Safety Training for MHOF is aimed at improving the basic safety skills of local motorboat captain and fisherfolks and expose them to new techniques in Personal Survival, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. Other salient topics are Rules of the Road, Typhoon Awareness and Marine Safety Requirements.

The certificate issued by NMP is a requirement of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) prior to the issuance of Certificate of Marine Profession (CMP) such as boat captain license, motorman license, and marine diesel mechanic license.  These licenses are in turn requirements before a seafarer can go on board passenger or cargo motor bancas / motorboats and even commercial fishing vessels.

The said undertaking was part of BFAR’s capacity building activities steered to provide participants with appropriate knowledge and skills in the proper boat handling and marine engine operation and maintenance. The activity was also in preparation for the manning complement of the 62-footer Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRB) fishing boats which were acquired by BFAR.