Legal basis and international framework
- The guidelines implement Philippine participation in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978.
- The circular recognizes that the Philippines acceded to and deposited the STCW 1978 with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 11 January and 22 February 1984, respectively.
- The circular issues certificates and endorses competencies pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 125 and 125-A.
- The circular requires endorsement “in accordance with the Convention” to show validity for service where the STCW transitional rules apply.
- Specific endorsement requirements are tied to compliance with STCW training and upgrading courses.
Policy objective: continued compliance and competence
- The circular ensures that certificates of competency and rating certificates remain valid for service through MARINA endorsement and revalidation.
- The circular sets a transition framework for certificates issued before and after STCW entry into force for the Philippines.
- The circular requires continued proficiency through periodic revalidation and proof of medical fitness and competence.
- The circular requires specialized training for duties involving cargo and cargo equipment on oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers.
- The circular enforces integrity in applications and documentation through disqualification, criminal prosecution, and administrative penalties.
Covered seafarers and endorsement coverage
- The circular covers deck, engine, and radio officers and sets endorsement rules for their certificates of competency.
- The circular covers ratings and authorizes issuance/endorsement only for ratings performing deck or engine watchkeeping duties.
- The circular applies to certificates issued in specific periods tied to 22 May 1984 (STCW entry into force for the Philippines) and 22 May 1989 (end of the five-year transition period).
- The circular provides distinct requirements depending on whether the seafarer commenced sea service before or after 22 May 1984, and depending on whether upgrading courses were attended.
- The circular applies endorsement and certification requirements to seafarers whose duties relate to tanker cargo and cargo equipment.
Endorsement rules by certificate issuance date
- Before 22 May 1984: certificates of competency issued before this date are recognized as valid for service and are endorsed only upon application and payment of the appropriate fee.
- Certificates issued before 22 May 1984 are identified as those issued by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) for deck and engine officers and by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for radio operators/officers.
- On or after 22 May 1984, but before 22 May 1989: certificates are recognized as valid for service if the seafarers commenced sea service before 22 May 1984, within the specific ship department related to the certificate; endorsement is then issued upon application and payment of the appropriate fee.
- On or after 22 May 1984, but before 22 May 1989 (and seafarers commenced sea service within the same period): endorsement is required to show validity and is issued only after attendance at upgrading courses conducted by training schools recognized/accredited by MARINA.
- On 22 May 1989 and thereafter: certificates must strictly comply with the STCW requirements; holders must attend the necessary upgrading courses conducted by MARINA-recognized/accredited training schools, and endorsement is issued upon application and payment of the appropriate fee to show validity.
Ratings qualification and issuance limits
- Only seamen performing deck or engine watchkeeping duties shall be certificated/endorsed.
- Ratings who have served as Able Seaman Oiler are qualified for certification/endorsement.
- Ratings who hold either AMT/BSMT or a degree and have undergone a year of apprenticeship in the deck department or two years of shipboard training in the engine department may be qualified for certification/endorsement.
- A Rating’s Certificate is issued only to seafarers forming part of navigational or engine watch who comply with all listed requirements.
- Ratings must be at least 18 years of age.
- Ratings must pass a thorough physical examination, particularly eyesight (including color perception) and hearing, from a MARINA accredited/recognized hospital or clinic.
- Ratings must have served on board vessels with the following minimum service requirements:
- In the deck department: at least 250 GRT for at least six (6) months as part of navigational watch.
- In the engine department: at least 750 KW for at least one (1) year as part of engine watch.
- For high school graduates and undergraduates of maritime courses, ratings must undergo special training in Navigational or Engine Watchkeeping Courses.
- Ratings under A.2.c must submit a copy of the Diploma or Transcript of records.
- Ratings must present training certificates for Fire-fighting, First Aid, Personal Survival Technique and Survival Craft.
- Ratings must satisfy other requirements deemed necessary by MARINA.
What certificates are issued and what must be submitted
- All deck, engine, and radio officers must have their licenses endorsed by MARINA, provided the licenses are authenticated by the issuing agencies.
- Officers seeking endorsement must present/submit documents including a health certificate, Seamanas Book for required sea service, STCW training certificates, and other requirements deemed necessary by MARINA.
- Officers and ratings assigned specific duties and responsibilities involving cargo and cargo equipment on oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers must take and complete a specialized training program appropriate to their duties and the type of ship they will board.
- Certificates obtained from special tanker training must be endorsed by MARINA.
Application process and who may apply
- Seafarers seeking endorsement or certification may apply in person and must submit the required documents to MARINA.
- Shipping companies and manning agencies may apply on behalf of their seafarers through their liaison officers.
- If the seafarers are already employed on board ships and the required documents are incomplete, the applying company must submit:
- an affidavit guaranteeing the veracity of the documents,
- a letter-request from employer, and
- an employment contract.
Continued proficiency and revalidation timing
- Every deck, engine, and radio officer holding a certificate must revalidate the certificate at intervals not exceeding five years to qualify for sea-going service in the rank appropriate to the certificate.
- Revalidation requires the Administration’s satisfaction of the seafarer’s:
- medical fitness, including eyesight and hearing, and speech for radio officers, and
- professional competence.
- Professional competence can be proven through any of the following:
- approved sea-going service as Deck/Engineer officer or Radio officer of at least one year during the preceding five years; or
- performance of functions relating to duties appropriate to the grade held, considered at least equivalent to the sea-going service required; or
- one of the following:
- passing an approved test; or
- successfully completing an approved course or courses; or
- approved sea-going service as a deck officer/engineer officer or as a radio officer for at least three months in a supernumerary capacity immediately prior to taking up the rank.
- Courses for revalidation must include, in particular, changes in relevant international regulations and recommendations concerning:
- safety of life at sea, and
- protection of the marine environment.
Lost endorsement replacement
- Any officer or rating who loses an original endorsement certificate must report immediately to MARINA and apply for a replacement.
- Replacement requires submission of an affidavit and payment of the appropriate fee.
Criminal, disqualification, and administrative penalties
- Submitting a false statement or misrepresentation in an application, or submitting fraudulent certificates or documents, results in disqualification to practice the profession.
- The same acts are punishable through criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code and an administrative penalty of PHP 20,000.00.
- Shipping companies or manning agencies requesting or recommending endorsement on behalf of a particular seaman are responsible for the documents submitted to MARINA.
- If a document submitted is spurious, the company is liable to administrative fines with the following schedule:
- First infraction: PHP 100,000.00
- Second infraction: PHP 200,000.00 and suspension of the company’s License for one month
- Third infraction: cancellation of the company’s license by the proper agency upon recommendation of MARINA
- Responsible company or agency officials are subject to criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code when spurious documents are involved.
Fees for endorsements
- MARINA charges PHP 200.00 per certificate for issuance of an endorsement certificate, including authentication of documents.
Transitory and implementation effect
- Certificates issued under the STCW transitional periods are treated differently based on the seafarer’s sea service commencement date relative to 22 May 1984 and on whether upgrading courses were attended.
- All required endorsement actions for validity in the transitional periods depend on application and payment of the appropriate fee.
- Strict compliance with the circular is required.