Coverage and mandatory SIRB requirement
- The circular establishes a system of identification, registration, and qualification of Filipino seafarers.
- Merchant marine officers and ratings on board vessels of 35 gross tons or over must secure a SIRB.
- Merchant marine officers and ratings must show the SIRB to proper boarding authorities whenever demanded for routine check and inspection.
- Off-shore workers seeking employment must also secure a SIRB.
- The circular covers persons who function as seafarers under its definitions, including those serving on off-shore oil rigs and vessels described in its coverage rules.
- Shipping employment contexts covered include overseas employment, fishing, and domestic employment.
Core definitions and document meanings
- “Merchant Marine Officers” means duly licensed deck and engine officers of commercial ships propelled by machinery, in maritime commerce (foreign and local trades), including vessels engaged in training cadets for the maritime profession, and non-combatant vessels of the Philippine navy engaged in operations similar to a commercial ship.
- “Master” means a duly licensed and registered Master Mariner.
- “Radio Officer” means a licensed First Class Radiotelegraph Operator.
- “Seafarer” means rated and non-rated skills manning merchant marine vessels and off-shore oil rigs.
- “Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB)” means a document issued by MARINA to qualified merchant marine officers and ratings (including fishermen and off-shore workers) to provide identity papers, a record of sea service, and for seafarer registration purposes.
- “Seafarer’s Registry Book” means the roll of merchant marine personnel, including overseas off-shore workers, maintained by MARINA.
- “Revalidation of SIRB” means extending the effectivity of a SIRB; the maximum number of revalidations is three (3).
- “Replacement of filled/damaged SIRB” means replacing a SIRB that is not yet expired because its pages are filled or it is worn out or damaged and rendered unusable.
- “Replacement of lost SIRB” means replacing a SIRB due to loss.
SIRB issuance: application, claiming, and special handling
- Applicants must apply directly in person at MARINA Central Office or in any Maritime Regional Office (MROs).
- For renewal/revalidation, applicants must apply at least one (1) month before the expiration date.
- For replacement due to damage or loss, applications must be made immediately.
- SIRBs may be claimed twenty four (24) hours after receipt by the SIRB Processing Unit, except that for applications filed at MROs, they may be claimed ten (10) days from the date of filing.
- SIRBs issued for overseas employment must be acceptable for use in fishing and domestic employment.
- Shipping companies or manning agencies must be allowed to apply for revalidation/replacement on behalf of seafarers actually on board ship when application is made at least sixty (60) days before the SIRB’s expiration.
- Shipping companies or manning agencies must submit a copy of the Seafarer’s 201 file when applying for revalidation/replacement in behalf of onboard seafarers.
- For damaged/lost SIRB, seafarers on board vessels must apply for replacement through their respective shipping company or manning agency, by presenting an Affidavit of Loss executed and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, plus all other pertinent documents required for re-issuance.
- Special processing is available only when the applicant is leaving the country within eight (8) hours and the applicant submits all documents, including proof of embarkation/departure, two (2) hours before the close of official working days.
Qualifications and documentary requirements
- Applicants for SIRB issuance must be Filipino citizens and not less than 18 years old.
- MARINA may subject applicants to interview when necessary to ascertain the validity and authenticity of the applicant’s license and other supporting documents.
- Documentary requirements are submitted as one (1)-set original and one (1)-set photocopy, unless otherwise specified.
- Overseas — New applicants must submit: a birth certificate duly certified by the NSO or Local Civil Registrar, or an affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons in the absence of a birth certificate; NBI Clearance (VISA Seaman); SOLAS Certificates; and two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs with signature at the back (uncapped).
- Overseas — Revalidation requires: the old SIRB; NBI Clearance (VISA Seaman); SOLAS Certificates only if within five (5) years from the previous issuance and the applicant was not able to render at least two (2) years sea service; and one (1) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photograph with signature at the back; plus the applicable documentary stamp.
- Overseas — Replacement of filled SIRB requires: the old SIRB; an authenticated PRC License if applicable; NBI Clearance (VISA Seaman); two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs with signature at the back; plus the documentary stamp.
- Overseas — Replacement of damaged/lost SIRB requires: NBI Clearance (VISA Seaman); two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs with signature at the back; plus the documentary stamp; and for lost SIRBs, a duly notarized Affidavit of Loss and POEA Adjudication Division Clearance when applicable.
- Domestic — New applicants must submit: a birth certificate duly certified by the NSO or Local Civil Registrar, or an affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons in absence of a birth certificate; NBI Clearance (for local employment); SOLAS Certificates; two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs uncapped with signature at the back; plus the applicable documentary stamp.
- Domestic — Revalidation requires: the old SIRB; NBI Clearance (for local employment); SOLAS Certificates only if within five (5) years from the previous issuance and the applicant was not able to render at least two (2) years sea service; and one (1) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photograph uncapped with signature at the back; plus the documentary stamp.
- Domestic — Replacement of filled SIRB requires: the old SIRB; an authenticated PRC License if applicable; NBI Clearance (for local employment); two (2) latest 2" x 2" head photographs uncapped with signature at the back; plus the documentary stamp.
- Domestic — Replacement of damaged/lost SIRB requires: NBI Clearance (for local employment); two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs uncapped with signature at the back; plus the documentary stamp; and for lost SIRBs, a duly notarized Affidavit of Loss.
- Fishing — New applicants must submit: a birth certificate duly certified by NSO or Local Civil Registrar, or an affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons; NBI Clearance (for local employment); two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs uncapped with signature at the back; plus the applicable documentary stamp.
- Fishing — Revalidation requires: the old SIRB; NBI Clearance (for local employment); one (1) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photograph uncapped with signature at the back; plus the documentary stamp.
- Fishing — Replacement of filled/damaged/lost SIRB requires the old SIRB for filled replacements, authenticated PRC License if applicable for filled replacements, NBI Clearance (for local employment), two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs uncapped with signature at the back, plus the documentary stamp; and for lost SIRBs, a duly notarized Affidavit of Loss.
- Off-shore — New applicants must submit: a birth certificate duly certified by NSO or Local Civil Registrar, or an affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons; NBI Clearance (VISA Seaman); two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs uncapped with signature at the back; plus Employment Contract; and the applicable documentary stamp.
- Off-shore — Revalidation requires: the old SIRB; NBI Clearance (VISA Seaman); one (1) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photograph uncapped with signature at the back; plus documentary stamp and Employment Contract.
- Off-shore — Replacement of filled/damaged/lost SIRB requires the old SIRB for filled replacements, authenticated PRC License if applicable for filled replacements, NBI Clearance (VISA Seaman), two (2) latest black and white 2" x 2" head photographs uncapped with signature at the back, plus documentary stamp; and for lost SIRBs, a duly notarized Affidavit of Loss and POEA Adjudication Division Clearance, if applicable.
- For licensed marine officers/professional license holders, an authenticated PRC/NTC License as applicable must be presented for the documentary requirement provisions tied to applicable documentary stamp letters.
- For graduates of nautical and marine engineering or graduates of basic seaman courses, the transcript of records must show a Special Order Number.
- For retired/honorably discharged naval personnel, the requirements include service records issued and duly certified by the Naval Adjutant, a true copy of retirement/discharge orders, and clearance from all accountabilities.
- For applicants with special skills with limited/unlimited experience, service records or proof of specialized services rendered and an employment contract or letter request from the contracting shipping/manning agency must be presented.
- For fisherfolk/related training, applicants may be supported by a certificate of training or its equivalent for graduates of fisherman's course offered by BFAR and other training centers.
SIRB validity periods
- An overseas SIRB has a validity of five (5) years.
- An off-shore SIRB has a validity of five (5) years.
- A domestic SIRB has a validity of three (3) years.
- A fishing SIRB has a validity of three (3) years.
- Revalidation extends effectivity and the maximum number of revalidations is three (3).
Fees, charges, and amount schedules
- For overseas/off-shore SIRB:
- New/Replacement requires P500.00.
- Revalidation requires P300.00.
- For domestic/fishing SIRB:
- New/Replacement requires P250.00.
- Revalidation requires P150.00.
Suspension, revocation, and mandatory revocation
- MARINA may suspend or revoke a SIRB on grounds including: incompetence, negligence, or incapacity in performance of duty; intemperate habits such as drunkenness tending to cause immediate loss or destruction or serious damage to the vessel or tending to endanger life of any person organic to or passenger of such vessel; insubordination or direct assault; violation of terms and conditions of the contract without just cause; and final conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
- MARINA must impose mandatory revocation of the SIRB for the enumerated serious acts, including:
- Assault with dangerous weapon
- Malicious destruction of ship’s property
- Misconduct resulting in loss of life and/or serious injury
- Molestation of passenger
- Murder or attempted murder
- Mutiny
- Possession, use, sale or association with prohibited drugs, including marijuana
- Smuggling of aliens or goods including firearms and ammunitions
- Sabotage
- Court conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude
- Theft of ship’s property or stores
- Perversion
- Jumping ship
- Serious neglect of duty
Compliance duties and penalties for false or spurious acts
- The Master/Owner/Operator/Manning Agencies must ensure strict adherence to the circular and its provisions and bear responsibility for violations.
- Any applicant who submits false statements or misrepresentation, fraudulent or tampered certificates or documents, including holders of fake/tampered SIRBs, is subject to criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code and administrative penalty.
- Administrative penalties for applicants with false statements or tampered documents depend on the number of offenses and the seafarer rank/category.
- For the first offense administrative penalties:
- Officers: P7,000.00 for Master Mariner, P6,000.00 for Chief Engineer, P5,000.00 for Chief Mate/Second Engineer, P4,000.00 for Second Mate/Third Engineer/Radio Operator/Electrician, and P3,000.00 for Third Mate/Fourth Engineer.
- Ratings: P2,000.00.
- For second and succeeding offenses administrative penalties:
- Officers: P14,000.00 for Master Mariner, P12,000.00 for Chief Engineer, P10,000.00 for Chief Mate/Second Engineer, P8,000.00 for Second Mate/Third Engineer/Radio Operator/Electrician, and P6,000.00 for Third Mate/Fourth Engineer.
- Ratings: P4,000.00.
- For second and succeeding offenses, suspension or disqualification to practice the profession is imposed by the Professional Regulations Commission or proper government agency upon recommendation of MARINA.
- Shipping companies or manning agencies that request or recommend issuance of an SIRB for and/or in behalf of a particular seaman are held responsible for spurious or tampered documents submitted to MARINA which were secured or tampered by the shipping company or manning agency, or by any of their employees or liaison officers/messengers, or where the company or agency or employee/liaison officer/messenger tampered or participated in securing documents.
- Shipping companies or manning agencies are solidarily liable to administrative fines for infraction numbers:
- First infraction: P25,000.00
- Second infraction: P50,000.00 and suspension of the company’s license for one (1) month by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or proper government agency upon recommendation of MARINA
- Third infraction: P100,000.00 and recommendation for cancellation of the company’s license by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or proper government agency upon recommendation of MARINA
- The responsible officials of the company or agency and any employee/liaison officer/messenger are subject to criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code.
Administrative responsibility and signatory
- MARINA’s Administrator, Paciencio M. Balbon, Jr., signed the circular adopted on September 15, 1994.