Coverage
- Applies to all Philippine-registered ships engaged in domestic trade
- Also applies to fishing vessels on international voyages
Definition of Terms
- "Administration": Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
- "Safe Manning": Number of certified, competent officers and ratings to safely operate the ship
- Definitions include STCW Code, functions, management, operational and support levels, types of vessels, officer positions, qualifications, and medical staff
General Provisions
- Ships must be manned primarily by Filipino officers and crew unless authorized otherwise
- All personnel must be qualified, competent, certified, and medically fit
- Safe manning document onboard specifying minimum manning and qualifications required
- Watchkeeping officers must comply with STCW certifications; non-watchkeeping crew must have basic safety training
- Special provisions for high-speed crafts
- Minimum two officers on voyages under eight hours
- Engine power rated in KW with manning based on total propulsion power
- Medical personnel requirements based on passenger number and voyage duration, with duties including health records and public health notifications
- Radio communication certifications required for certain officers
- Steward department requirements for food service and safety training
- Specific qualifications for fishing vessel officers
- Additional manning rules for high speed crafts and nighttime navigation
Minimum Safe Manning
- Principles based on IMO Resolution A.481(XII) ensuring safe watchkeeping, ship operations, damage control, and safety equipment management
- Manning levels to support peak workloads with required rest periods
- Bridge and engineering watch requirements outlined
- Certificates issued specifying minimum safe manning and any special conditions
Minimum Safe Manning Scale
- Different classes of ships: Passenger, Cargo, Tankers, Dredgers/Tugs, Fishing, Pleasure, High Speed Craft
- Deck and engine department manning scales based on vessel tonnage and engine power
- Specific officer and rating positions with required licenses and qualifications for each ship class and size
- Manning tables for harbor, bay, lake, and river voyages with detailed staffing breakdown
Special Manning
- Temporary reduced manning allowed in emergencies with prior MARINA approval
- Conditions imposed to ensure safety including logs and minimum engineering presence
- Limit on duration of special manning
Additional Manning
- Allowed with caution to ensure crew is not overburdened by other tasks
Reduction of Manning
- Possible subject to minimum safe manning rules
Dispensation/Upgrading of Officers
- Dispensation permit for officers to act at higher rank during emergencies (max 3 months)
- Not applicable for Master or Chief Engineer
Watchkeeping
- Establish and enforce rest periods to prevent fatigue
- Watch organization aligned with STCW Code
- Responsibilities defined for navigational officers, radio operators, engineering officers
- Watch arrangements consider hazardous cargo and safety at sea
Certificate and Training
- All seafarers must hold relevant STCW certificates
- Non-crew personnel require safety familiarization training
Apprentice Training
- Shipowners encouraged to allow maritime graduates onboard for apprenticeship
- Safety compliance and billeting capacity must be adequate
- Apprentices to carry approved Training Record Books
Duties of Marine Officers
- Duties aligned with STCW Code and International Safety Management Code
- Complement duties under Philippine Code of Commerce
Repealing Clause
- Repeals prior 1997 PMMRR provisions and other manning rules for domestic and fishing vessels
Effectivity
- Circular effective 15 days after publication in a national newspaper