ABSTRACT
This study assessed the Modified Basic Safety Training (MBST) program for small vessel operators in Region VI using a descriptive survey of 120 purposively selected boat captains and motormen. Findings revealed high levels of policy compliance, effective training delivery, and strong participant satisfaction, with respondents reporting notable improvements in safety awareness and disaster preparedness. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as English-based language barriers, limited training duration, logistical constraints, and insufficient hands-on simulations were identified. Overall, the MBST program positively influenced operators’ safety practices; however, enhancements in accessibility, training design, and instructional delivery are recommended to further strengthen maritime safety initiatives for vessels 35 gross tons and below in Western Visayas.
Keywords: Modified Basic Safety Training (MBST), maritime safety, small vessel operators, training effectiveness, safety awareness, disaster preparedness, Western Visayas, policy compliance, maritime education
INTRODUCTION
Maritime transportation remains a vital component of economic and social connectivity in the Philippines, particularly in archipelagic regions such as Western Visayas (Region VI). The movement of people and goods across islands relies heavily on small vessels, commonly known as motorbancas or pump boats, which are widely used for both fishing and passenger transport. These vessels, typically classified as 35 gross tons (GT) and below, are essential due to their affordability, accessibility, and ability to operate in short-distance coastal routes. However, despite their widespread use, motorbancas have been consistently linked to maritime accidents, particularly capsizing incidents, raising concerns regarding safety practices and regulatory compliance in the sector.
In Region VI, small vessels remain highly vulnerable to maritime accidents. In Antique, a fishing motorbanca sank 19 nautical miles off Anini-y, putting nine fishermen at risk before rescue (Philippine News Agency [PNA], 2025). In Guimaras, four fishermen survived after their banca capsized due to water ingress (GMA News, 2017).
Iloilo has seen repeated incidents. In Estancia, six fishermen were rescued after their motorbanca capsized amid strong winds and waves (Philippine Coast Guard, 2018). During Typhoon “Quinta,” multiple fishing motorbancas capsized near Bagongon Island, Carles (GMA News, 2020). A motorbanca traveling from Ajuy to Negros Occidental also capsized due to rough seas (SunStar Bacolod, 2023).
Passenger motorbancas are similarly at risk. In Concepcion, Iloilo, a pump boat capsized following a sudden gust of wind, causing fatalities (The Philippine Star, 2008). In 2019, three passenger motorbancas capsized in the Iloilo–Guimaras Strait on the same day due to monsoon winds, high waves, and collisions, prompting government intervention and stricter safety enforcement (GMA News, 2019; The Philippine Star, 2019).
These recurring incidents in Western Visayas show a clear pattern of maritime accidents among small vessels, mainly due to adverse weather, vessel instability, and human or operational errors. Human error, including poor decision-making, non-compliance with safety protocols, and inadequate emergency preparedness, remains a major concern, highlighting the need for strengthened maritime safety training. In response, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) mandates the Modified Basic Safety Training (MBST) for seafarers, including small vessel operators. The program equips them with skills in safety awareness, emergency response, survival, fire prevention, and personal responsibility, aiming to standardize training and enhance seafarer competency.
However, despite the existence of the MBST as a regulatory requirement, the continued occurrence of maritime accidents involving motorbancas in Region VI raises questions regarding its effectiveness. Specifically, it remains unclear whether the policy mandate is being fully implemented at the local level, whether training programs are delivered effectively, and whether the intended learning outcomes are translated into actual safety practices among vessel operators.
This highlights the need to examine the MBST beyond its policy mandate, focusing on implementation and outcomes. This study therefore evaluated the MBST in Region VI, focusing on motorbanca operators, a high-risk group, to assess the effectiveness of current safety training and identify areas for improvement. The findings are expected to inform maritime safety policies and training programs for small vessels (≤35 GT), reducing accidents and enhancing operational safety in Western Visayas.
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