Legal basis, purpose, and intent
- The circular is issued “in line with the Administration’s policy of ensuring the quality of Filipino seafarers.”
- The circular implements Rule VII, Book VII of the Rules and Regulations on Overseas Employment, as amended.
- The circular establishes uniform guidelines on “certification and registration of Filipino seafarers seeking overseas shipboard employment.”
Coverage and who must comply
- The guidelines apply to all Filipino seafarers seeking overseas employment on board ocean-going vessels.
- The guidelines also apply to licensed manning agencies engaged in the recruitment and placement of Filipino seafarers for overseas employment.
- Only seafarers duly certified and registered by the Administration are eligible for overseas employment.
- The guidelines require personal processing: all applicants must personally appear at the SRD for proper interview and registration.
Registry system and seafarer classification
- The Administration shall establish a registry of seafarers for all seafarers who desire to serve on board ocean-going vessels.
- Seafarers may be registered under Registry A, Registry B, Registry B1, or Registry C, with Registry C further classified into C1, C2, and C3.
- Registry A covers seafarers with at least one year sea experience in domestic or in ocean-going vessels or who completed one year contract.
- Registry B covers maritime school graduates (nautical and engineering), graduates/training center trainees for basic seamen (pre-entry rating), and ex-Philippine Navy servicemen without sea experience.
- Registry B1 covers applicants who are graduates of B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, B.S. in Electrical Engineering, and B.S. in Electronics.
- Registry C covers applicants with less than one year sea experience, or those who have not completed a one-year contract or received formal maritime education/training but possess skills/experience closely related to onboard service as certified by reputable firms or establishments, including examples such as Radio Operators, electricians, cooks, waiters, machinists, mechanics, welders, and electronic technicians.
- Registry C is further classified as:
- Registry C1: special skills and verified work for at least one year in any reputable firm or establishment.
- Registry C2: less than one year sea experience.
- Registry C3: no sea experience but with special skills.
Limited C3 registration conditions
- Registry C3 registration is subject to a highly restricted policy and is allowed only when necessity warrants, subject to approval by the Director, WAAO, the Deputy Administrators, or the Administrator.
- Registry C3 registration must proceed only if the applicant has:
- an employment contract supported by TELEX;
- an approved agency request by the Administrator, Deputy Administrators, or the Director, WAAO;
- a clearance from the Seafarers Contract Processing Division showing, among others, the existence of the position hired for;
- certificate of service records; and
- other documents that may be required for registration.
Seafarer certification requirement and SRC use
- The circular requires registration as a prerequisite to eligibility for overseas employment: only duly certified and registered seafarers may be employed overseas.
- All registered seafarers must be issued a Seafarer’s Registration Certificate (SRC).
- Presentation of a valid SRC is required for processing a seafarer’s contract at the Contract Processing Department.
- Seafarers must use their SRC in all transactions with the POEA or with authorized shipping companies when applying for employment.
SRC issuance, validity, renewal, replacement
- An applicant who meets all requirements shall be immediately issued an SRC after payment of a fee of PHP 30.00, except seafarers in Registry C2 and C3.
- Seafarers in Registry C2 shall be issued their SRC only after completion of the balance of the required one year sea experience.
- Seafarers in Registry C3 shall be issued their SRC only after boarding an interisland vessel or foreign-going vessel for one year.
- The SRC is valid for three years from the date of issuance.
- The SRC is renewable every three years thereafter.
- The SRC is replaceable whenever the SRC is lost or changeable due to the seaman’s change of rating.
Registration eligibility requirements
- An applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- An applicant must be physically and mentally fit.
- An applicant must hold a Seaman Service Record Book (SSRB) issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
- Cadets must submit:
- valid SSRB/Seaman’s Continuous Discharge Book (SCDB);
- original transcript of records;
- Special Order (SO) from MECS or a certificate of completion for PMMA graduates and certificate of exemption from MECS for graduates from other government maritime schools/centers;
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture.
- Graduates in B.S Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Electrical Engineering, and B.S. in Electronics must submit:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- original transcript of records;
- Special Order from MECS or certificate of exemption from MECS for graduates from government schools; and
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture.
- Graduates of Basic Seaman Course (Private) must submit:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- original transcript of records;
- certification of graduation from school;
- Special Order from MECS;
- certificate of 160 hour OJT (On-the-job training).
- Graduates of Basic Seaman Course (Public) must submit:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- certificate of completion;
- certificate of exemption from MECS (SO);
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture;
- certificate of 160 hour OJT.
- Philippine Navy Trainees must submit:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- 1st class training certificate supported by SO from the PN;
- statement of service with dry seal stamp;
- Naval Judge Advocate General clearance;
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture;
- statement of sea duty; and
- termination order.
- Philippine Coast Guard Trainees on Lighterage must submit:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- certificate of completion endorsed by PCG;
- Special Order as authority to board vessel as trainee and special order for completion of training duly signed by authorized signatory.
- Philippine Navy Personnel must submit:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- statement of service;
- statement of sea duty from Sea & Airlift Command of Naval Reserve Center or Philippine Coast Guard;
- discharge order or retirement order from HPN or GHQ-AFP;
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture.
- For applicants with one year or more sea experience in coastwise vessel of 100 gt or more, requirements include:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- service record duly signed by authorized signatory supported by any of:
- coasting manifest with crew lists duly stamped and signed by Bureau of Customs Clearing Officer or by PPA; or
- shipping articles duly formalized by authorized government agency (with 4 to 6 formalized shipping articles sufficient to cover one year sea service); or
- SSS certificates or premium payment; or
- BFAR certificate of clearance for applicants with fishing boats experience.
- For applicants with one year service in ocean-going vessel of 100 gt or more, requirements include:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- certificate of service record;
- passport, quarantine booklet, shore pass or wage account;
- immigration seals showing departure and arrival;
- FOREX, if necessary;
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture.
- For PRC license holders, requirements include:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- valid PRC ID, license, passing sheet;
- certificate of service record;
- ROC certificate for 3rd mates; and
- ROC certificate for 2nd mates, chief mates and master mariners;
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture.
Registration procedures and processing steps
- Applicants must personally present themselves at the appropriate counter and submit all necessary documents for:
- registration; and
- updating/upgrading; and
- replacement of an old SRC; and
- re-issuance of a new SRC.
- The registering officer must examine submitted documents for authenticity and, if authentic, provide the applicant with an index card for completion.
- If the registering officer doubts authenticity, the matter must be referred to the Chief, SRD for appropriate action, and the applicant must undergo a technical interview with personal verification of records for authenticity.
- If documents are fake, tampered, fictitious, or cannot be authenticated by the applicant, the application for registration or updating must be denied.
- Where appropriate, the applicant’s previous registration must be cancelled if the documents are found to be fake or tampered or fictitious or if authenticity cannot be proven.
- After completing the index card, the applicant must return it to the registering officer, who must transmit it together with all other documents to the processors.
- Processors must counter-check the applicant’s name with the List of Watch listed seafarers.
- If the applicant is clear, processors must process the papers and submit them to the Chief, SRD for approval.
- If the applicant is not clear, the applicant must be instructed to secure clearance from the appropriate office or agency.
- After approval of all papers, the Chief, SRD must direct preparation of the SRC.
- The process requires issuance of an order of payment, payment at the Cashier’s Counter, presentation of the Official Receipt, and personal receipt of the SRC from the releasing officer on a specified date.
- The SRC must not be released to any other person without the applicant’s written authorization subject to approval by the Chief, SRD.
- Applicants may submit contracts of employment with supporting documents at a special expedite counter for appropriate and expeditious action.
Updating, upgrading, and required clearances
- For updating/upgrading to officer maritime ratings, requirements include:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- valid PRC ID, license, passing sheet;
- valid NTC R/O license for R/O;
- ROC certificate for 3rd mates;
- RSC certificate for 2nd mate, Chief mate and Master Mariner;
- certificate of service records;
- surrender of the old SRC; and
- if the old SRC is lost, submission of a handwritten explanation of how it was lost;
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture.
- For updating/upgrading to crew ratings, requirements include:
- valid SSRB/SCDB;
- certificate of service record;
- immigration seals for departure and arrival;
- for experience from domestic ships/fishing boats, submission of service records supported by shipping articles, or coasting manifests, or BFAR certificates of clearance, or SSS certificate of premium payment, or other documents that may be required;
- one 2.54 x 2.54 cm black and white picture.
- For all seafarers, updating of rating requires:
- medical certificate for fitness to work if the cause of discharge is sickness, medical treatment, or hospitalization; and
- medical certificates for all chief cooks and cooks; and
- Adjudication Department or Workers Assistance Division (WAD) clearance if previously charged or complained of.
Registry index maintenance
- The SRD must maintain an index of registry for all seafarers.
- The applicant for registration, updating, or upgrading must personally accomplish all entries at the index card.
- The index card must include personal data, educational information, license, diploma, training certificates, shipboard experience, particulars of vessels, and other information.
Removal and cancellation grounds
- A seafarer’s name may be removed or cancelled from the registry on any of the following grounds:
- death of the seafarer;
- seafarer’s request for removal;
- conviction of an offense involving the manufacture, import, export, sale, use, or possession of any dangerous drug;
- failure to meet qualifications such that the seafarer is no longer qualified for listing in the registry;
- payment of a recruiter or any other person money or goods to effect or expedite recruitment, placement, or promotion;
- an order delisting for contract violation or violation of the Code of Discipline after due investigation;
- submission of fake or tampered documents;
- bribery or attempted bribery of personnel of the Administration;
- tampering of documents issued by the Administration such as registration card, history card, and other forms used in registration;
- revocation or cancellation of the seafarer’s license by the issuing agency or by court order;
- perjury.
Related operational rules and documents
- The circular requires the Seafarers Contract Processing Department to require a valid SRC when processing seafarers’ contracts.
- The circular requires counter-checking by processors against the List of Watch listed seafarers.
- Limited C3 registration specifically requires clearances and documents from the Seafarers Contract Processing Division and support for employment contract and agency request.
- The circular uses specific governing document types, including SSRB, SCDB, shipping articles, coasting manifests with crew lists, immigration seals, ROC and RSC certificates, and PRC license documents, for eligibility and processing.