Question & AnswerQ&A (MARINA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 179, S. 2002)
The primary objective is to implement a safety document called the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate which provides a clear listing of the required minimum manning levels for officers, crew, and ratings for Philippine-registered ships/fishing vessels.
All Philippine-registered ships/fishing vessels operating in Philippine waters or temporarily utilized in overseas trade/international waters are required to secure a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate.
The concerned shipowner/operator/manager is responsible for filing the letter-application with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for the issuance of the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate.
The application must include the ship's name, owner/operator, ship and rig type, tonnage and brake horsepower, port of registry, IMO and Official Number, crew list, and must be signed/certified by the duly authorized representative of the applicant.
The certificate is valid for a maximum period of five (5) years, unless there are alterations on the ship or if the ship temporarily operates in overseas trade/international waters, in which case a new certificate must be applied for immediately.
The filing fee for issuance or renewal of a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate for ships over 1600 GT is ₱1,500.00.
Ships operating without a Manning Certificate after 30 days from the effectivity of the Circular are subject to daily fines depending on ship size (ranging from ₱100/day to ₱5,000/day), non-operation of the ship, and suspension of CPC/PA/SP until compliance.
First violation penalties include daily fines based on ship size (ranging from ₱50/day to ₱1,500/day), non-operation of the ship, and suspension of CPC/PA/SP until renewal or for a prescribed period, whichever is longer.
On the third violation, the penalty escalates to revocation or cancellation of CPC/PA/SP along with applicable fines up to a maximum amount depending on ship size.
Any provisions of the Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations (PMMRR) 1997, as amended, and other MARINA Memorandum Circulars and issuances inconsistent with this Circular are repealed or modified accordingly.