Law Summary
Coverage
- Applies to all Philippine-registered ships operating in coastwise trade
- Excludes ships specified under Chapter 1, Regulation I/3, Section 6 of PMMRR 1997
Definitions of Key Terms
- Afloat Inspection (AI): Survey conducted on ship while afloat
- Anniversary Date: Day/month corresponding to certificate expiry
- Certificate of Inspection: Certificate issued after inspection for compliance with PMMRR 1997
- Classed Ships: Commerce ships classified by classification society based on design, materials, and standards
- Drydocking: Condition where ship is taken out of water for hull cleaning and repairs
- Emergency Drydocking: Unscheduled drydocking due to repairs after incidents
- Non-Classed Ships: Ships not classified by classification society
- Underwater Inspection: Inspection of hull and integral parts below waterline while afloat
- Underwater Ultrasonic Thickness Gauging (UUTG): Measures thickness of steel and other metals underwater
- Survey: Complete inspection of ship structure, machinery, equipment, safety systems, etc., to ensure compliance with regulations
General Policy Guidelines
- All Philippine-registered ships (except those excluded) must secure relevant certificates prior to operation (e.g., Certificate of Inspection, Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, Loadline Certificate)
- Inspections and surveys conducted by the Administration or authorized inspectors
- Underwater inspections (UWI) required prior to extension of drydocking schedule
- UWI must be conducted by MARINA-accredited entities under prescribed guidelines
- Conduct of surveys/inspections must not unreasonably disrupt ship operations
Specific Provisions
Drydocking
- Classed Passenger/passenger-cargo ships: drydocked twice in 5 years, next drydocking 24 months after last
- Extension of drydocking for passenger ships up to 6 months with justification from UWI
- Cargo and other ships: up to two drydocking extensions allowed, each not exceeding 6 months, with afloat inspection
- No extension beyond 5-year cycle from Class Survey Status Report
- Non-classed passenger/passenger-cargo ships: annual drydocking with monthly extension up to 3 months, UWI required prior to extension
- Cargo/non-class passenger ships: drydock every 24 months, extensions up to 2 times for 3 months each with afloat inspections
- Wooden-hulled passenger ships: annual drydocking, no extension allowed
- Wooden-hulled cargo ships: drydock every 24 months with possible extensions as above
- Emergency drydocking required if UWI shows damage from grounding, collision, or hitting hard objects
Inspection
- Annual afloat inspection to verify operational condition and compliance (equipment, hull, safety devices, pollution prevention)
- UWI additionally required in cases of drydocking extension requests or suspected hull integrity issues
- Inspections conducted following Vessel Safety Inspection System (VSIS) guidelines
- Extra inspections required after maritime accidents or if ship unseaworthy
Certificate of Inspection (CI)
- CI issued after inspection, valid for 1 year except when related to drydocking extensions
- Extensions for CI validity corresponding to drydocking extensions with specified max periods per ship type
- CI suspended if hull integrity compromised, unauthorized alterations, non-compliance with safety rules, or involvement in grounding, collision, or hitting hard objects
- CI format prescribed by Administration
Special Permit to Navigate (SPN)
- Issued for sea trials post-drydocking or when navigating for drydocking with expired/expiring CI
Issuance of Other Certificates
- Must comply with national/international regulations as applicable
Penalties and Sanctions
- Fines for operating without required certificates scaled by Gross Tonnage (GT), ranging from P500 to P200,000
- Ships with penalties cannot operate until compliance with drydocking and other conditions
Repealing Clause
- Repeals/modifies previous inconsistent regulations including Chapter 1, Regulation I/6 of PMMRR 1997 and Memorandum Circular No. 145
Effectivity
- Effective upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation from December 17, 1999.
This summary encapsulates the key legal provisions, definitions, procedures, and penalties under the amended regulation concerning inspection, drydocking, and statutory certificates for Philippine-registered ships operating in coastwise trade.