Question & AnswerQ&A (MARINA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 110)
Only vessels carrying a Certificate of Philippine Registry are eligible to engage in the Philippine coastwise trade.
The documentary requirements include a duly accomplished application form, Certificate of Philippine Registry/Certificate of Ownership, Certificate of Inspection, payment of filing fee prescribed, and payment of energy tax for motorized speedboats, yachts, launches, and other watercrafts used for pleasure and recreation.
Vessels must be built in the Philippines, and ownership must be vested in Filipino citizens or domestic corporations/companies with 75% or more capital owned by Filipino citizens. Current owners with existing licenses who do not meet these conditions may continue operating under existing laws.
Vessels of three tons net or less, yachts, launches, and other crafts exclusively for pleasure and recreation, ship's boats and launches marked with the name & home port of the vessel, and vessels owned by the Philippine government.
They must bear the letters 'B' and 'A' followed by the license number branded or carved in a conspicuous place forward on each bow and painted darkly. Steel vessels must have the letters and number indelibly chiselled or cut.
They must have previously advised the Commissioner of Customs by telegraph of their probable arrival, must enter at a port of entry, and immediately report their arrival to Customs authorities.
Administrative fines and penalties shall be in accordance with existing rules and regulations and their subsequent amendments.
The MARINA Enforcement Office and Maritime Regional Offices are tasked to enforce and monitor compliance. Non-compliance must be reported within 48 hours to the Maritime Legal Affairs Office or the concerned unit of the Maritime Regional Office for appropriate action.