HSI Supports ?Brigada Eskuela 2007?

In the District of Mariveles, Province of Bataan, a public school located near the Herma Shipyard, Inc's compound had a maintenance week of which they call (Brigada Eskwela 2007.)
 
Sisiman Elementary School has 649 pupils, some of the pupil's parents and relatives are employees of HSI. Being part of the Herma Group, HSI's committed to provide its community a role model for responsible corporate citizenship. HSI have chosen Sisiman Elementary School to be a recipient of its various community projects. 
 
Aside from providing computers, and other equipment to the school HSI also initiated the construction of a covered drainage system and installed a culvert. to address the dangerous open drainage outside the fence of Sisiman Elementary School. The open drainage, 2 feet deep, 1 meter wide and 57 meters long, poses dangers to the students. Two years ago, a student met an accident that cost him his life.  
 
To avoid another incident like it, HSI sent employees to be masons and workers for the construction of the culvert. They have removed the boulders and widened the drainage to accommodate the cylindrical culvert that will become the underground channel for the water during the rainy days.  The HSI employees rallied to finish the project immediately as the rainy season is fast approaching. 
 
It was a true manifestation of the bayanihan spirit in the District of Mariveles. The school said that the area that underwent for rehabilitation can now be used as a parking space for vehicles and other land transportation.  Best of all, parents can be now at ease to send their children to school without worrying of the dangerous open drainage.  
 
The coummnity was thankful to HSI for this act of corporate social responsibility. 

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The Propeller Club at HSI

Fifteen years ago, the propeller Club of manila commenced a scholarship program by sponsoring a single student from underprivileged family to train as ship mechanic. Since that time the program has grown appreciably and by 2006 through the support of the Salvation Army Development Office (SADO) of Australia and Australia's Aid Program (AusAID), the club has enhanced the program and expanded the Vocational Training Program. Currently, the program has already 65 scholars enrolled in Fitter Machinist (Ship Mechanic) one-year course at Don Bosco Makati Technical School.

The program's goal is to ensure the scholars employability on board with further training in Maritime Safety and Seamanship so that they, in turn can give back something to their families and communities. The Propeller Club sees that this goal is achievable and is a way for young under-previleged men to men to mobve towards a better life.

Currently, 23 scholars are doing their On-the-Job Training. 13 of them have been accepted to train with HERMA, through one of the members of the Propeller Club, Mr. George Cottrell. They are expected to graduate from their course on this coming April and eventually they'll be given work placements through assistance of other club members. The rest of trainee-scholars are in Wartsila Phils., Laguna and Qamtis Phils in Pasay.

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HILWAI Project: Reaching Out Far Beyond Bataan

Handicap International, a non-profit private voluntary organization based in France tied up with Herma Shipyard, Inc. for the construction of HILWAI MOBILE REHABILITATION BOAT. The HILWAIMOBILE REHABILITATION BOAT will help persons with disability living in small and medium scale islands in the Visayas Region.

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Safety at the Shipyard

During the first quarter of 2005, the Safety Department initiated an aggressive campaign for safety improvement in the yard.  Safety policies and programs were reviewed and revised as per the requirements of the yard activities. Common hazards that are present in the shipyard's work environment were identified. Consequently, precautions were recommended which became the course of action for the Safety Department. Together with effective communication, a higher safety standard will be undoubtedly achieved.

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Floating Dock

The Floating Dock "Integrity" (formerly known as YD-200) was acquired by HSI from the Philippine Navy last September 2003. At that time, she was at sunken condition and given up for lost at the seashore of Fort San Felipe, PN Repair Facility, Cavite City.

The salvage operation or re-floating of the floating dock began last October 2003. The HSI 100 ton crane barge was deployed to assist in the re-floating operation. Finally, the floating dock was successfully re-floated on April 2004.  Shortly after, the floating dock was towed by M/T Banga Tres from Cavite to Mariveles on May 08, 2004 and was berthed at the former Herma-2 launch way.

The rehabilitation of the floating dock was continued at the Herma-2 launch way and she was successfully launched on March 24, 2005. She was then towed to Herma-1 to complete the machinery, outfitting and electrical works. A major milestone was achieved when "Integrity" was commissioned and successfully drydocked M/T Bigaa on June 14, 2005

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HSI Makes Client Presentation

By: Allan C. Larios, Purchasing Assistant

Herma Shipyard, Inc. (HSI) treated its clients and friends to a cocktail and presentation headed by its president, George C. Cottrell at the Manila Yacht Club last 10 August, 2005. Despite the bad weather, most of the invitees were at hand to mingle and socialize with their peers in the industry. The presence of Mr. Chadd Williams of ABS and Mr. Alok Gupta of Lloyds added prestige to the affair. Both are representatives of respected class societies.

The affair started with Ms. Irish V. Legaspi, VP-Finance and Admin, leading the invocation, after which, Eng'r Riz Hernandez took the podium to welcome the guests. The highlight of the affair was delivered by Mr. Cottrell as he articulated on the journey of HSI, emphasizing the transformation of the shipyard from a virtually dilapidated and abandoned lot to a vibrant and dynamic facility it is today.

The crowd listened intently as Mr. Cottrell guided them through the metamorphosis of the facility expounding on its milestone achievements. Such achievements were made possible by the Php300 million investment made by its Chairman, Hermie S. Esguerra.  A visible transformation took effect with the rehabilitation of existing facilities to the infusion of new equipment and reconstruction of the F/D INTEGRITY which showcases HSI's capability in shipbuilding. Another testament to the shipyard's capability, as emphasized by the President, was the construction and commissioning of the HILWAI Mobile Rehabilitation Boat in December, 2004. Investment in human resources was also noted as HSI boasts of 250 man-years of experience.

The marketing savvy of Mr. Cottrell went into force as interests were generated from the guests especially in the open forum wherein various questions and queries that were thrown were confidently answered. What elated everyone the most was the assurance from the President that indeed "we're not closing down" and "we are alive and kicking" contrary to what rumor mongers have been spreading.

Kudos to the organizers and may this herald a new era of more prosperous and progressive business.

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