Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 6 no. 9 (2025)

Assessing the Performance of Vessel Safety Inspectors of Maritime Safety Services Units in the Coast Guard Districts of Southern and Southeastern Mindanao

Jamaal S. Aceron

Discipline: maritime technology

 

Abstract:

Introduction: This study assessed the performance, motivation, and challenges of vessel safety inspectors in the Maritime Safety Ser-vices Units of the Coast Guard Districts of Southern and Southeastern Mindanao. It examined how operational conditions in maritime safety enforcement and qualifications of the inspectors affect their effective-ness. Method: The study determined the vessel safety inspectors’ age, sex, educational background, length of service, and inspection-related training, and correlate these factors with the six dimensions of per-formance: knowledge, skills, identity, context of performance, per-sonal factors, and fixed factors. Their motivation was also assessed in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic influences. Results: Most inspectors are young, male, and degree holders in Criminology and Marine Transportation. Overall performance was “rated as Good” (89%) with strength in personal factors (93%) in-cluding professionalism and communication, and identity (90%) such as adherence to protocols and awareness. Areas for improvement in-cludes critical thinking and fixed factors (86%) such as geographic constraints, policy limitations, and resources availability. Motivation was moderate (intrinsic mean = 3.45; extrinsic mean = 3.28). Experi-enced inspectors have higher motivation, particularly on external re-wards. Operational conditions such as limited logistical support, inad-equate training opportunities, and mobility constraints were the identified challenges in inspections. Conclusions: Vessel safety inspectors demonstrate competence despite operational challenges. Strengthening recruitment, targeted trainings, logistical support, motivation programs, and modern tech-nology – anchored on a clear action plan will enhance efficiency, ef-fectiveness, and aligning inspection practices with maritime safety policies and procedures.



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