This study explored the effectiveness of mandatory safety drills on Filipino seafarers' emergency preparedness and response. International Maritime Organization's (IMO) first pillar, the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), mandates these drills and their frequency which are believed to enhance crew competency when emergencies occur onboard the ship. However, the repetitive nature of some drills and the potential for human error during emergencies raise questions about their overall effectiveness. To investigate the Filipino seafarers' perspective on this topic, the researchers employed snowball sampling to survey fifty (50) seafarers from three (3) Manila shipping companies. The target population comprised of seafarers between twenty (20) and sixty (60) years old, with one (1) to thirty (30) years of experience at sea. Subsequently, the result of firefighting, enclosed space and rescue, and abandon ship drills have a positive impact on Filipino seafarers' safety skills. This shows that frequent drills absolutely improve and make seafarers more competent. Used mainly in emergencies, safety drills are highly lifesaving and saves others' lives by cultivating teamwork efficiency and collaboration. The result further showed that there is a significant relationship between the impact of conducting safety drills and the emergency response and preparedness of Filipino seafarers. The results brought potential benefits for shipping companies, maritime training institutions, maritime students, and policymakers.

Keywords: safety drills, emergency preparedness, Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), human error, Filipino seafarers