Definition of Terms that can be found in the Standard Terms and Conditions Governing the Employment of Filipino Seafarers on-board ocean-going vessels

  1. Point of Hire - refers to the place indicated in the contract of employment which shall be the basis for determining commencement and termination of contract.
  2. Convenient Port - any port where it is practicable, economical, safe and convenient to repatriate the seafarer.
  3. Philippine port - refers to any Philippine airport or seaport.
  4. Basic Wage - refers to the salary of the seafarer exclusive of overtime, leave pay and other bonuses.
  5. Departure - refers to the actual departure from the point of hire of the seafarer through air, sea or land travel transport to join his vessel to the Philippine or foreign port.
  6. Regular Working Hours - refers to the seafarer's eight (8) hour working hours within the period of 24 hours.
  7. Shipwreck - refers to the damage or destruction of a vessel at sea caused by collision, storm, grounding or any other marine peril at sea or in port rendering the vessel absolutely unnavigable or unable to pursue her voyage.
  8. Compassionate Ground - refers to incidence of death of an immediate member of the seafarer's family which includes his parents, spouse and children if the seafarer is married or his parents if the seafarer is single.
  9. Principal - any person, partnership or corporation hiring Filipino seafarers to work on board ocean-going vessels.
  10. Work-Related Injury - injury(ies) resulting in disability or death arising out of and in the course of employment.
  11. Work-Related Illness - any sickness resulting to disability or death as a result of an occupational disease listed under Section 32-A of the Standard Terms and Conditions Governing the Employment of Filipino Seafarers on-board ocean-going vessels

PERSONAL MUSTER CARD

Personal Muster Card - contains information which are useful to crew members in an emergency situation. The following are information in the Personal Muster Card:

Crew number, etc., General Emergency Alarm signal, Fire alarn signal, Abandon ship signal, Muster (assembly) station, Emergency duties.

MUSTER LIST

Muster list must be located in places where it can be easily seen. Muster list tells you the following:


WHO YOU ARE
- Identifies all crews by name, number, rank, or a combination of both number and rank.

WHERE YOU GO - Identifies the muster stations (assembly stations) which are the designated places on the ship that personnel should go upon hearing the general emergency alarm signal.

WHAT TO DO - Either specific duties are assigned, such as preparations of boats, stairway guides etc., or crew will carry out duties as required - dependent on the nature of emergency.

ALARM SIGNALS

General Alarm - Consist of seven (7) or more short blast followed by one (1) long blast on the ship's whistle. (Instruction: Get ready)Boat Alarm - at least (7) short blast followed by one (1) long blast repeated on the ship's whistle. (Instruction: All to attend their station wearing life jacket)

Fire Alarm
- Continous blast of the whistle for a period of not less than 10 seconds followed by continous ringing of the general alarm. (Instruction: All to attend their stations bringing along their assigned fire fighting equipment)
Man Over Board Alarm - the letter "O" sounded at least four times on the ship's whistle followed by the same signal sounded on the fire bells. (Instruction: rescue boat crew to muster station immediately carrying the immersion suit)

ABANDONING SHIP
- The order to abandon ship is never given until the master judges it necessary. The ship is the safest survival craft, but if the ship's condition will put people's lives in great danger, abandoning it will be the best option.