Question & AnswerQ&A (PRC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 99-15)
The issuance is authorized under Section 10 (c), Article IV of Republic Act No. 8544, also known as the Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998, and implemented by Section 28, Article VII, Resolution No. 1, series of 1999 of the Board of Marine Deck Officers, and Regulations II/1, II/2, and II/3 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended in 1995.
It applies to candidates for certification as marine deck officers in the management and operational levels who have served on board seagoing ships of 500 gross tonnage or more after August 1, 1998; those with service on ships of 250 gross tons or more but less than 500 gross tons; those with seagoing service on certain types of ships covered by specific STCW Convention regulations; and officers whose STCW '78 certificates were revalidated for service beyond January 31, 2002.
The circular does not apply to those who have served on warships, naval auxiliaries, or other state-owned ships engaged only in governmental non-commercial service; fishing vessels; pleasure yachts not engaged in commercial trade; or wooden ships of primitive build.
Management level refers to the level of responsibility associated with serving as Master or Chief Mate on board a seagoing ship and ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are properly performed.
Applicants must be medically fit with good eyesight and hearing. The medical certificate must be issued by a Department of Health (DOH) accredited clinic or hospital conducting physical and medical examinations for seafarers, following the minimum standards set in the STCW Code, and must be issued within six months before the application.
Required documents include the Certificate of Registration, medical certificate, proof of approved seagoing service (such as Certificate of Sea Service signed by the Master, Seafarers Identification and Record Book, Company Certification), Certificates of Training, documentation fee, photographs in proper uniform, and a training record book.
Applicants must be at least 20 years old to apply for the STCW a95 Certificates.
Applicants may file their application personally or through an authorized company representative at the PRC Central Office. They must fill out the Application for Certificate and Endorsement (ACE Form No. 11), submit the required documents, which will be evaluated and verified by an evaluator. After verification, a qualified assessor or board member will assess the applicant's competence. If approved, certificates are issued and entered in the official registry.
Masters and Chief Mates must complete at least six months approved seagoing service on the specific type of tanker and pass shore-based firefighting, general tanker familiarization, and specialized training for the type of tanker (oil, chemical, or liquefied gas tanker). For second and third mates, adequate knowledge of safe operational practices through at least three months on board or completion of shore-based firefighting and general tanker familiarization courses is required.