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6 of 11 new master mariners have been sworn into office
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The 11 passed the harbor pilot licensure examination administered by the Maritime Industry Authority in September 2022
The Philippines has 11 new harbor pilots, with six sworn into office recently. They are all master mariners who passed the harbor pilot licensure examination administered by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in September 2022.
The new harbor pilots join the same number of examinees who hurdled the licensure examinations in March and June this year.
In an oathtaking ceremony on November 21, MARINA officer-in-charge deputy administrator for planning Sonia Malauan enjoined the new harbor pilots to be faithful to their sworn duties while ensuring safety of life and property at sea.
The new harbor pilots who passed the September 7-9 exams are:
- Allen J. Balaba
- Rodie K. Barcoma
- Brian M. Binongo
- Gary Joseph S. Campos
- Pliver Wendell D. Capuli
- Gary C. Castro
- Arnold Salvador C. Dela Flor, Jr.
- Roger L. Limoso
- Michael B. Merin
- Rey Dominador P. Rodriguez, Jr.
- Hennever B. Taracina
MARINA is mandated to undertake the licensing of harbor pilots in the country pursuant to Executive Order No. 125/125-A.
A candidate for the harbor pilot licensure examinations should be at least 35 years of age at the time of the examination, mentally and physically fit, master-in-command for not less than five years of a merchant ship or a Philippine Coast Guard or National Mapping and Resource Information Authority vessel, and other non-combatant ship weighing more than 500 gross tons, of good moral character, and not included in the database of watchlisted seafarers.
While MARINA administers the examination, its sister agencies Philippine Ports Authority and Cebu Port Authority provide the number of harbor pilots that can serve specific areas or ports under their jurisdiction.
In July, 11 new harbor pilots who passed the harbor pilot licensure examinations in March and June 2022 also took their oath of office.
