Question & AnswerQ&A (MIA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 152, S. 1999)
The main objectives are to ensure maritime safety, strengthen the implementation of the PMMRR 1997 in the inspection and drydocking of ships, and provide regulations governing the conduct of underwater inspections of ships.
The Circular applies to all Philippine-registered ships operating in coastwise trade except those specified under Chapter 1, Regulation I/3, Section 6 of the PMMRR 1997.
Drydocking is the condition in which a ship is taken out of water for cleaning and repair of the hull and its integral parts including rudder, propeller, sea valves and sea chests.
Classed ships are ships of commerce assigned character by a classification society based on design, materials, structural members, equipment, and adherence to the society's rules.
Certificates include Certificate of Inspection, Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Cargo Ship Construction Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Radiophony Certificate, Exemption Certificate, Manning Certificate, International Tonnage Certificate, Loadline Certificate, and others required by law or international conventions.
They must be drydocked twice within five years; scheduled drydocking occurs every 24 months after the last drydocking; extensions up to six months are allowed provided underwater inspection justifies it; no extension beyond the five-year cycle is allowed.
UWI is required before any extension of drydocking schedule, when a ship's structural thickness reaches 75% of design thickness, after accidents affecting hull integrity, or as specified in the Class Survey Status Report.
The Certificate of Inspection is valid for one year except when issued due to extension of drydocking periods, wherein validity varies by ship classification but generally does not exceed six months.
Suspension occurs if hull integrity is compromised by accident, unauthorized structural alterations are made, there is non-compliance with safety and pollution rules, or the ship has been involved in grounding, collision or hitting hard objects.
Penalties vary by the ship's gross tonnage, starting from P500 for ships 5 GT and below, up to P200,000 for ships over 1600 GT. Additionally, the ship shall not be allowed to operate until compliance is met.