Thursday, November 6, 2008

Coast Guard orders tight enforcement of life jacket rule for sea travel

MANILA, Philippines - In the wake of Tuesday's maritime tragedy in Masbate that claimed more than 40 lives, the Coast Guard on Thursday ordered the strict enforcement of a rule for all passengers to wear life jackets during a sea trip.

Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo ordered all Coast Guard units to enforce the circular from the Maritime Industry Authority which required passengers to wear life jackets to avoid high casualties when sea accidents occur.

Tamayo said that had passengers of the MV Don Dexter Cathlyn been wearing life jackets, many of them would have been rescued or protected from serious injury.

The Coast Guard was to start Thursday its preliminary investigation into the incident. -

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