The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will conduct a mobile registration for the slew of unregistered boats operating in waters in waters off Panglao.

According to Norma Enriquez, MARINA-Bohol chief, the registration will be held from October 12 to 14 in Brgy. Danao, Panglao to address complaints against rampant operations of unregistered seacrafts which mostly cater to tourists.

The local government unit of Panglao and MARINA personnel last week organized a seminar and an information drive urging motorized boat operators to take part in the initiative.

Enriquez said that being registered would save operators from the hassle of being arrested amid the Philippine Coast Guard’s intensified drive against unregistered vessels.

As mandated by law, several requirements need to be met by operators first before being registered.

Operators are required to provide life jackets with total number of pieces equal to the boat’s passenger capacity, and have at least two life rings, a qualified captain, registered crew and a two-way radio.

The two-way radio will allow a boat captain to communicate with the crew of nearby vessels.

Enriquez said that boat operators are also required to secure insurance for passengers before they are allowed to operate.

The Marina official noted that their registration campaign was prompted by the growing number of motorized boats driven by the influx of tourists into Bohol, particularly Panglao.

Unregistered boats in Panglao have been a longstanding problem for the MARINA and Enriquez hopes that the mobile registration would finally address the issue. (Allen Doydora) 

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