Seatrade-Maritime: Filipino crew right to refuse to sail reiterated following Hormuz deaths

Published by Seatrade-Maritime

The Philippines Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reminded shipowners and crewing agencies of Filipino seafarers right to refuse to sail into high-risk areas including the Strait of Hormuz.

“We continue to remind shipowners to be mindful of the safety of our seafarers on board and to keep them out of harm’s way,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac.

“We are disallowing deployment to the extent that a seafarer exercises the right to refuse to sail. That right must be respected.”

The statement from the DMW followed the death of two Filipino seafarers onboard the Bahri VLCC Sidr which was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on 31 August. The DMW had also issued an advisory on 28 August to reinforce safety measures for Filipino seafarers amid heightened security risks.

The Philippines government requires that vessels crew by Filipino nationals comply with requirements before transiting high risk areas, including conducting risk assessments, implementing appropriate security measures, considering vessel escorts where necessary, and complying with reporting requirements.

Cacdac said the department would review the requirements were followed in the case of the Sidr.

In a separate statement the DMW said it was ensuring the families of the two deceased seafarers were receiving immediate assistance. The Department said it was continuing to monitor the condition of the remaining Filipino crew members.

The Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of seafarers and thousands of its nationals serving on board ships have been caught in the conflicts in Middle East and the Black Sea.