The SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), facilitated a Practical Navigation training and workshop for forty (40) Commercial Tuna Handliners in order to enhance their skills in navigating accurately and safely.
Capt. Rodolfo Literal and Capt. Neil Valdez of DA BFAR focused their discussions on the principles of navigation, understanding charts, use navigational aids, and interpret weather conditions–essential factors that can significantly reduce the risk of accidents or getting lost at sea.
Moreover, Capt. Rodolfo Literal presented the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, discussing its Technical Provisions which was divided into six (6) sections: the General Rules; Steering and Sailing Rules; Ruling on Lights & Shapes; Sound and Light Signals; Exemptions; and Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention. These practical navigation information are vital for fishers’ safety, productivity, sustainability, adaptability, emergency response, and compliance with regulations.
Also, part of the training is the practical exercise to develop captains and crew’s ability to use a compass to determine direction, read nautical charts and understand symbols, soundings, and coastal features, and develop their skills in estimating position based on course, speed, and time traveled.
