QuestionsQuestions (MARINA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 110)
It provides the guidelines for the issuance and renewal of Coastwise License (CWL), Bay and River License (BRL), and Pleasure Yacht License (PYL) for Philippine-registered vessels operating in Philippine waters.
All Philippine-registered vessels used in Philippine waters.
No. No vessel may engage in the coastwise trade unless it has a coastwise license issued by MARINA.
For one (1) year from issuance.
Temporary CWL may be issued pending approval of the certificate of Philippine registry; its validity cannot be longer than thirty (30) days unless the Administrator grants otherwise.
It must be prepared and signed in triplicate and must contain: (1) reason for granting the temporary license, (2) time for which granted, and (3) amount deposited to cover the fees.
Only vessels carrying a certificate of Philippine registry.
Yes. All ports and places are opened to vessels lawfully engaged in coastwise trade, subject to applicable laws in particular cases.
They must fly the Philippine coastwise emblem at the main mast.
A rectangular white flag with one blue and red stars ranged from staff to tip in the horizontal median line.
A Bay and River License (BRL) issued by MARINA.
It specifies the particular port or body of water where the vessel may operate, and it is valid for one (1) year from issuance.
The limits include the confluent river or lake navigable during any season of the year.
The vessel must be built in the Philippines, and ownership must be vested in: (1) citizens of the Philippines; or (2) domestic corporations/companies where 75% of corporate capital belongs to Filipino citizens.
No BRL is required for vessels of three tons net or less; yachts/launches/other crafts used exclusively for pleasure and recreation; ship’s boats and launches with the vessel name and home port plainly marked; and vessels owned by the Government of the Philippines.
It ceases immediately if the vessel engages in the business of transporting cargo or passengers for hire.
They must bear the letters “B” and “A” and immediately following them, the license number branded/carved in a conspicuous place forward on each bow and painted in dark color; if steel, the mark must be indelibly chiselled or cut.
When used exclusively for pleasure by yachts owned by Filipino citizens, with terms allowing them to proceed port to port within the Philippines and to foreign ports without entering or clearing at the customs house—subject to compliance with reporting requirements upon arrival from a foreign port.
After previously advising the Commissioner of Customs by telegraph of its probable arrival, the yacht must enter at a port of entry and immediately report its arrival to Customs authorities.