The Philippine embassy in Lisbon
Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe J. Lhuillier
recently paid a courtesy call with Admiral Luis Manuel Fragoso, Chief of the
Portuguese Navy.
The visit provided Ambassador Lhuillier the opportunity to
express the embassy’s appreciation to the Portuguese Navy, particularly the
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCC) in Lisbon and Ponta Delgada in the
Açores islands, for the vital role they play in evacuating Filipino seafarers
in need of medical treatment or attention due to medical issues or accidents
onboard their ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Ambassador Lhuillier likewise acknowledged the Portuguese
Navy’s timely alerts to the embassy whenever a Filipino seafarer has been
airlifted to a Portuguese medical facility. This enables the embassy to quickly
respond to the situation and coordinate with the relevant shipping agent in
order to ensure that the rescued Filipino seafarer’s welfare and needs are
attended to while undergoing medical treatment, and for the eventual
repatriation of the seafarer.
Admiral Fragoso also welcomed and expressed his support for
Ambassador Lhuuillier’s initiative to propose a Memorandum of Understanding on
Cooperation in Maritime Search and Rescue between the Philippine Coast Guard
and the Portuguese Navy. A draft of the proposed MOU is currently under review
by the Portuguese government.
Noting that Portugal has the 13th largest maritime zone and
jurisdiction in the world, Ambassador Lhuillier believes that there is much for
both sides to learn and exchange best practices in the area of maritime search
and rescue and other related concerns.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=755140
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