"Germany and the EU cannot possibly have world-class efficient commercial ships manned by Filipinos today, and world-class efficient ships without Filipinos onboard tomorrow", said Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar Binay at a Maritime Round Table held at the Head Offices of Classification Society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) recently. One of the most critical factors to ensuring safety at sea is the human element, without an able and experienced crew and officers the most modern and well designed vessel cannot promise safety. Filipino seafarers are at the heart of the maritime industry, making up almost one third of working seamen on trading vessels.