QuestionsQuestions (PCG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 1-94)
The legal basis cited is (1) Section 3(d) of Republic Act 5173, and (2) the Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations (PMMRR).
It covers: (1) Shipas Plans, (2) Admeasurements/Readmeasurements, (3) Inclining Experiments and Certificates of Stability, (4) Loadlines, and (5) Passenger Accommodation Plans.
All plans/documents/certificates within scope are approved “in the name of the Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard (CPCG)” by the Commander, Maritime Safety Office (CMSO) or the Commander, Coast Guard District/Station (CCGD/CCGS) as provided in the Circular.
Shipas Plans must be submitted in triplicate copies, duly signed and sealed by a registered Naval Architect and Marine Engineer; electrical plans must be signed and sealed by a Licensed Professional Electrical Engineer.
Shipas Plans are submitted to the CMSO for approval through the CCGS/CCGD having jurisdiction over the ship repair/construction facility; if acquired abroad, to the CCGS/CCGD with jurisdiction over the intended homeport. If submitted to CCGS/CCGD, it is forwarded to CMSO after completeness checks.
A qualified Maritime Safety Engineer (NAED and a Maritime Safety Engineer of MSO) reviews the plans, and the printed names and signatures of the Naval Architect (NA), the Chief Naval Architect and Engineering Division (CNAED), and the CMSO must appear on the face of the plans under headings like “Reviewed by,” “Recommended by,” and “Approved for the Commandant, PCG,” respectively.
Upon approval/disapproval, the same are returned to the shipowner through the CGD/CCGS concerned. If approved, one file copy is retained at MSO and another at the Coast Guard District. If disapproved, all three copies are returned to the shipowner.
Any CGS/CGD with an assigned Maritime Safety Engineer may undertake approval of plans of vessels whose estimated gross tonnage does not exceed 15 GT.
Estimated gross tonnage is determined by either the Rake-Rake or the Coefficient Method, taking into consideration the vessel’s superstructure or enclosed spaces above the tonnage deck.
The owner may be required to submit only a sketch or skeleton plan, as prescribed by the Maritime Safety Office, for an open-deck type vessel of 15 GT or less that will not engage in coastwise trade.
The Maritime Safety Engineer assigned with the CGD/CCGS conducts construction survey/verification to ensure compliance with approved plans and regulations. For vessels over 250 GT, construction survey must be conducted by qualified personnel of NAED, MSO; the Construction Survey Report is then forwarded to CMSO for action/information.
Admeasurement/readmeasurement is performed by NAED, MSO. However, if a licensed Naval Architect and Marine Engineer or a qualified Maritime Safety Engineer is assigned with the CGD/CCGS, it may be performed by that station for vessels of 250 GT or less. If a CGS lacks a qualified Maritime Safety Engineer but has enlisted personnel (at least a Petty Officer) qualified to conduct admeasurement, it may perform for vessels of 15 GT or less only.
A file copy of the final calculation of gross and net tonnage and the Certificate of Admeasurement must be furnished to the MSO within ten (10) calendar days after the date of release of the Certificate of Admeasurement.
In addition to the Certificate of Admeasurement, the ITC shall be issued by the MSO to a Philippine-registered vessel that will engage in international trade, consistent with the International Convention on Tonnage measurement of Ships, 1969.
Supervision of the inclining experiment is done by qualified persons/entities authorized by law, under the supervision of a licensed Naval Architect and Marine Engineer assigned with MSO or CGD; for vessels 65 feet and below, supervision may be performed by a qualified Maritime Safety Engineer. The data (in the PCG Inclining Experiment Data Form) plus trim and stability calculations (three copies) must be signed and sealed by the Naval Architect and Marine Engineer who conducted the test, with the supervising PCG Naval Architect/Maritime Safety Engineer printed and signed. All data/calculations are forwarded to CMSO for review, approval, and issuance of the Certificate of Stability.
The CCGD is vested with responsibility and authority for administration and enforcement of loadline regulations. Every ship requiring a Load Lines Certificate is periodically inspected according to the International Conference on Load Lines, 1966.
Passenger Accommodation Plans in triplicate must be signed and sealed by a registered Naval Architect and Marine Engineer and submitted to CMSO via the CCGD/CCGS; direct submission is allowed if convenient. During construction/alteration/repair: for vessels 250 GT and below, inspection/survey is by the Maritime Safety Engineer of the CGD; for vessels above 250 GT, verification is done by the Naval Architect of the MSO. The inspector’s/validator’s “Verified by” signature and date must appear on the plan.