The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) yesterday started an awareness campaign on the rights of sea passengers in cases of cancelled, delayed, and/or uncompleted voyages in Visayas and in Mindanao by next month.
Marina conducted campaign at the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) targets to inform sea passengers of their rights, as well as shipping operators of their obligations in cases of trips at sea that cause inconvenience to the riding public.
Through the campaign, the Marina also ensured the protection of sea passengers against inefficient shipping services, as well as for the promotion of their welfare and safety.
“Now that we are on the first ‘ber’ month which signals the start of the Christmas season in the country, we replicated the campaign in Luzon here in Visayas, and next month in Mindanao — for we believe that a nationwide approach to information dissemination yields better and more meaningful impact to our stakeholders,” Nannette Villamor— Dinopol, Marina deputy administrator for operarions, said.
Under the campaign, the Marina emphasizes that sea passengers of a cancelled or delayed voyage have the right to information, as well as the right to refund or right to revalidation of their tickets.
If the sea passengers choose to revalidate their tickets, they may also avail of the right to amenities such as snacks or meals and free accommodation if deemed necessary, while waiting for their rescheduled trip.
The Marina also clarified that the right to compensation of sea passengers for a cancelled or delayed voyage applies only if the free accommodation is not practicable for the shipping operator.
Meanwhile, sea passengers of an uncompleted voyage have the right to information, right to amenities, right to compensation, as well as the right to be transported to their destination.
Marina noted that the rights of sea passengers are absolutely applicable only if the causes of cancelled, delayed, or uncompleted voyage are attributable to the shipping operator.
