Know your rights: MARINA issues guide for sea passengers

MANILA, Philippines – As millions prepare to embark on their journeys for the upcoming Undas observance, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has released a crucial reminder for all sea passengers regarding their fundamental rights. With an anticipated surge in travelers at various ports, understanding these entitlements is paramount for a secure and hassle-free voyage.

In accordance with MARINA Circular 2018-07, passengers are afforded robust protections in scenarios involving cancelled, delayed, or even unfinished voyages. These provisions ensure that travelers receive appropriate information, avenues for recourse, and necessary assistance should disruptions arise due to the shipping operator’s responsibilities.

Essential Rights for Sea Travelers

MARINA underscores that these rights are fully enforceable when the cause of the travel disruption is directly attributable to the vessel operator. Below is a comprehensive overview of what sea passengers are entitled to under various circumstances:

Right to Information

Passengers must be immediately informed of any cancellation or delay, the underlying cause, and the revised sailing schedule. This notification should be disseminated through public announcement systems or other available communication channels. This crucial right applies universally to cancelled, delayed, and unfinished/uncompleted voyages.

Refund or Ticket Revalidation

For instances of cancelled or delayed voyages, passengers are presented with two primary options:

• Full refund of the ticket fare(Must be given without deductions or additional charges, regardless of the cause of delay/cancellation, except if due to passenger’s fault)
• Ticket revalidation for future travel(Passenger may choose to use the same ticket for a rescheduled voyage)

Provision of Amenities

For passengers who choose ticket revalidation and are awaiting their rescheduled voyage, essential amenities must be provided:

• Free meals or refreshments
• Access to first aid / medicines
• Access to communication facilities/services
• Free accommodation when necessary (especially for long delays)

Compensation

Should the provision of free accommodation be impractical for cancelled, delayed, or unfinished/uncompleted voyages, passengers are entitled to monetary compensation equivalent to the prevailing market price of suitable accommodation.

Comparable Transport

In the unfortunate event of an unfinished/uncompleted voyage, passengers must be transported to their intended destination through another vessel operated by the same company or via a comparable mode of transport.

MARINA reiterates that these specific passenger rights are meticulously detailed in MARINA Circular No. 2018-07 on the Rights of Passengers and Obligations of Domestic Operators in Cases of Cancelled, Delayed, and Unfinished/Uncompleted Voyages. This framework is designed to ensure that travelers are adequately protected against disruptions arising from operator negligence or administrative oversight.

For a complete and thorough understanding of these regulations, the public is strongly encouraged to review the full text of MARINA Circular 2018-07, which is accessible on the official MARINA website at marina.gov.ph.