MODULE 4

PO3 Jerry Pons E Mirabueno 004986 PCG

BLMC CL 63-2020
24 March 2021

A. IMPORTANCE OF VTS/VTMS? (10 POINTS)

 To enhance vessel traffic service of waterways;

 To ensure safety of navigation of vessels;
 To safeguard the security of vessels, facilities, individuals, and their
properties;
 To protect the marine environment of surrounding waters; and
 To provide users of the VTMS timely information and necessary assistance
within the VTMS covered area.

B. WHAT ARE THE FIVE (5) MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF PCG AND ITS
IMPORTANCE (50 POINTS)

1. MARSAF- is designed to help prevent or minimize unnecessary loss of lives and

properties at sea. The seaworthiness of every vessel leaving the port is ensured through the
intensified Mandatory Pre-departure Inspection which include the compliance of vessels to
safety standards and prevention of vessels from sailing for failure to comply with the
standards; conduct of random Emergency Readiness Evaluation and Operational Readiness
Evaluation in the ports; conduct of regular vessel safety inspections, and publication of
Notice to Mariners (NOTAM), and the implementatio n and enforcement of navigational
rules and designation of sea lanes, among others.

2. MAREP- The Philippines is a signatory to IMO Conventions on Marine Pollution of

1973 and 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). The Philippine Coast Guard under RA 9993 is the sole
agency responsible for the Philippine implementation of the Conventions with regards to oil
pollution, prevention, mitigation and control through the conduct of marine pollution
monitoring and control, enhancement of PCG capability and oil spill response operations and
enforcement of all marine environmental laws and regulations.

3. MARSAR- The Philippine Coast Guard, in accordance with the Convention of Safety
of Life at Sea (SOLAS), is the national maritime search and rescue service of the country.
The Coast Guard Action Center (CGAC) at the PCG Headquarters in Manila, by virtue of the
current functions and facilities, serves as the coordinating centers for all search and rescue
operations. The twelve Coast Guard Districts are designated as Maritime Rescue
Coordinating Council (MRCC) within their areas of responsibility while the 59 Coast Guard
Stations are designated as Maritime Rescue Sub-Centers (MRSC). The detachments under
these stations are designated as SAR units.

4. MARSEC- Maritime Security is another important function of the PCG. Considering the
archipelagic character of the country, it is vital to enhance the security of its different
maritime zones to protect the integrity as a nation. In the performance of this function, the
PCG contributes to maintain good order at sea by conducting regular patrols and
surveillance for the safety of navigation of ships, to safeguard ships from illegal acts and to
promote freedom of navigation.The PCG is likewise mandated to secure exploration and
resource utilization activities within the country's maritime jurisdiction.In its Sea Marshal
Program, the PCG manages composite security forces composed of AFP, PNP and PCG
elements to protect voyages of passenger-laden vessels in domestic routes. The Coast
Guard also boasts of a newly established nationwide K-9 unit composed of highly trained
sniffing dogs deployed in the major ports throughout the country.

5. MARLEN- The PCG is likewise mandated to conduct MARITIME LAW

ENFORCEMENT (MARLEN) and implement laws on fisheries (and poaching), immigration,
tariff and customs, forestry, firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs and
controlled chemicals, and to implement the revised penal code and all other applicable laws
within the country’s maritime jurisdiction and battle transnational crimes. The PCG is
authorized to board and inspect all watercrafts suspected to be involved in or used in illegal
trade. PCG personnel are also deemed agents of BFAR, Immigration, Customs, DENR,
PDEA, and INTERPOL in the performance of its MARLEN function.As a maritime
organization under RA 9993 , it is deputized by 21 government agencies to perform
maritime law enforcement functions directed towards the suppression of piracy, smuggling,
poaching, illegal fishing, illegal entry, human smuggling, illegal logging, drug trafficking, gun
running and terrorist activities.