Question & AnswerQ&A (MIA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 141)
Filipino Master Mariners who are interested in becoming licensed harbor pilots in specific pilotage districts in the Philippines are covered under the guidelines.
A 'Master Mariner' refers to a marine officer duly licensed as such by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
A 'Harbor Pilot' is a Master Mariner duly licensed by MARINA and appointed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to act as pilot in a specific pilotage district in the Philippines.
The Panel consists of the MARINA Administrator or authorized representative as Chairman, two Master Mariners licensed as pilots, and two Harbor Pilots selected from the pilotage district where the exam will be administered.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old but not more than 55 years old.
Applicants must be physically and mentally fit with perfect hearing and sight certified by a DOH-accredited medical clinic. Applicants aged 40 years or over are required to submit ECG findings/tracing.
Applicants must have been in actual command of a merchant vessel or vessels of more than 500 gross tons for not less than five years and hold a valid Endorsement Certificate as provided in Regulation II/2: par. 4.2 of the STCW Convention.
Topics include maneuvering behavior of various ship types, COLREG and buoyage system, ship traffic management system, weather and mooring of vessels, local tides and currents, customs and quarantine laws, and practical problems.
A general average of 75% with no grade less than 50% in any subject is required to pass the examination.
The Harbor Pilot license is valid until the holder reaches the age of seventy years unless it is sooner revoked or canceled for cause.
Applicants who make false statements or submit fraudulent documents are subject to an administrative fine of not more than Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00) and possible criminal action under the Revised Penal Code.
Applicants submit the duly accomplished application form with required documents to MARINA or its regional offices, which will evaluate the application. An examination permit or notice of disqualification is issued within seven calendar days after filing.
The examination fee is Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00), the Harbor Pilot license fee is Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00), re-issuance of license costs Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00), and replacement of lost/damaged license is also Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00).
All duly licensed harbor pilots must apply with MARINA for re-issuance of their license within one year from the issuance of this Circular.