Friday, October 09, 2009
Pinoy seamen biggest beneficiaries of Japanese anti-piracy escorts
At least 1,370 Filipino seafarers have benefited from two months of anti-piracy escort operations by Japan's Self-Defense Force in the Gulf of Aden, the Japanese Embassy said Thursday.

In a press statement, the embassy said that since the escorts started July 28, the JSDF has escorted 81 vessels with various national flags to protect them from pirates.

Japan was among the countries that sent a naval patrol to the Gulf of Aden in response to the wanton hijacking of merchant vessels by Somali pirates since last year.

Naval vessels of the United States, Russia, Germany and India are also patrolling the Gulf of Aden and the nearby portion of the Indian Ocean.

According to the Japanese Embassy, Japan's Maritime Bureau under MLIT is receiving applications from various maritime-related organizations/officers such as ship operators, ship owners/managers, etc. from around the world for escort assistance and safe passage of ships.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Charity ship helps traumatized Pinoy seamen in UAE
Filipino seamen traumatized over incidents at sea in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are getting much-needed help from a Dubai charity headed by an Anglican priest.

A report on UAE-based Khaleej Times said the charity, â?Angel Appeal," has helped many Filipino seamen, particularly those whose vessels are stranded off Fujairah.

â?It is an unnatural situation, where they are trapped onboard a ship with nothing to do and miles from their families. In many cases, people become lonely and depressed. It can be torture for them," said Stephen Miller, the Anglican priest who heads the charity, in the report.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Japan comes to aid of 790 RP seafarers in pirate-ridden waters
Some 790 Filipino seamen benefited greatly from Japanese anti-piracy escorting operations in the Gulf of Aden in July and August - the most of any nationality, the Japanese government said.

The Japan Self-Defense Force had escorted 81 vessels with various national flags from July 28 to August 31, the Japanese Embassy said.

Friday, July 10, 2009
RP seamen held captive abroad climb to 46
MANILA, Philippines - Two of the six seamen seized by militants in Nigeria on July 4 have been confirmed to be Filipinos, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

In a statement, the DFA said the Singapore-flagged chemical tanker Sichem Peace was boarded by armed men about 18 miles off Koko, Nigeria.

The latest hijacking increased to 46 the number of Filipino seafarers being held captive by rebels and pirates in Africa. Forty-four of these seamen are being held on board five ships by Somali pirates in the Horn of Africa.

Friday, July 10, 2009
3 more Pinoy seamen rewarded for helping prosecute shipping company
MANILA, Philippines â? Another group of Filipino seamen received financial rewards from the United States government on Thursday for helping in the prosecution of a shipping company accused of polluting ocean waters.

A statement by the US Embassy in Manila said three seamen, whose names were withheld for security reasons, received rewards ranging from $30,000 to $90,000.

MANILA, Philippines â? Another group of Filipino seamen received financial rewards from the United States government on Thursday for helping in the prosecution of a shipping company accused of polluting ocean waters.

A statement by the US Embassy in Manila said three seamen, whose names were withheld for security reasons, received rewards ranging from $30,000 to $90,000.

According to the statement, the Filipino seamen testified against the GenMar Defiance, a ship owned by the Portugal-based General Maritime Management, and the shippâ?s two officers.