Revised Rules on Seafarer ID and Record Book

Legal basis and adopted convention

The Circular is issued pursuant to Section 12 Paragraph (j) of Executive Order No. 125-A.
The Circular is adopted in conformity with the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (ILO Convention No. 108).
MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 97 is expressly repealed by this Circular to the extent of inconsistency.

Policy and objectives

The Circular establishes a system for the efficient and effective provision of an identification document for Filipino seafarers.
The Circular requires maintenance of a complete and continuing record of a Filipino seafarer’s services on board ships.
The Circular prescribes policies and minimum requirements in issuing the SIRB.
The Circular adopts the provisions of ILO Convention No. 108 for seafarers’ identity documentation.

Coverage and exempt persons

The Circular applies to every seafarer as defined who is engaged in any capacity on board a Philippine-flagged ship 35 GT and above.
The Circular applies to any Filipino seafarer engaged in any capacity on board any foreign-flagged ship.
The Circular applies to any person pursuing in a Philippine maritime institution a seafaring course that requires a certificate of competency.
Persons covered must comply with the mandatory securing requirements for SIRB.
The Circular exempts personnel on board warships/naval vessels/naval auxiliaries.
The Circular exempts personnel on board ships below 35 GT.
For personnel on board government-owned/operated ships not engaged in commercial activity, the SIRB is optional.

Key definitions established

Administration refers to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) refers to a document issued by the Administration to all Filipino seafarers and others including cadets who render services on board ships.
Seafarers refers to ship officers and ratings manning ships, including offshore workers, service providers, and fishermen as defined.
Ship Officers refer to duly certificated and/or licensed deck, engine, and radio officers.
Radio Officers refer to persons holding an appropriate license issued by the concerned agency pursuant to existing Radio Regulations.
Ratings refer to the crew other than officers.
Offshore Workers refer to personnel deployed in oil rigs/offshore drilling/dredging/production platform/auxiliaries, floating power barges/seismic operations and other similar contrivance.
Service Providers refer to personnel on board commercial ships who provide services other than navigation, marine engineering, radio telecommunications, and other technical jobs.
Fishermen refer to personnel on board fishing vessels, including those participating in preparation/maintenance of fishing gears, equipment/devices, fish catching, loading, and processing of catch.
Cadets refer to student learners (deck or engine) performing on-the-job training on board ships.

Mandatory SIRB rules and document custody

SIRB is mandatory for all persons covered under Regulation II.
Maritime enterprises operating Philippine-flagged ships must ensure that seafarers on board possess SIRB.
Filipino seafarers employed on foreign-flagged ships must secure and possess a valid SIRB, notwithstanding that an equivalent identity document has been issued by the flag state.
The SIRB must remain in the seafarer’s possession at all times.
The application for issuance of SIRB must be personally filed by the applicant.
A seafarer who is on board may file an SIRB application through a duly authorized representative.
The Administration may dispatch a MARINA-SIRB Mobile Team for on-site processing upon request of maritime schools/institutions situated outside Metro Manila.

SIRB categories, validity, and qualifications

SIRB is categorized as:
- SIRB for shipboard employment, and
- SIRB for shipboard training.
For shipboard employment, limitations for Fishermen, Bay and River, and Offshore must be indicated in the SIRB when necessary.
An SIRB issued for shipboard apprenticeship/training must not be used for employment purposes.
SIRB validity is five (5) years, except where:
- The application involves a seafarer still on board, in which case validity is up to a maximum of one (1) year, or
- The SIRB is for shipboard apprenticeship/training, in which case validity is eighteen (18) months.
As a general rule, an applicant must be a high school graduate, but an applicant who did not complete secondary education may be issued SIRB if the applicant is:
- a service provider, or
- a seafarer already on board at the time these regulations become effective, or
- a seafarer who has rendered at least six months sea service.
An applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of application, except an engine/deck cadet applying for SIRB for shipboard apprenticeship/training must be at least 16 years old at the time of application.
An applicant must have undertaken the Basic Safety Course, except that domestic fishermen are exempted from this basic requirement.
Foreign nationals who finished the three (3) year theoretical requirements of a maritime course recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) may be issued SIRB for shipboard apprenticeship/training.

Application documents and processing modes

New Application for SIRB requires submission of:
- Birth Certificate duly authenticated/issued by the NSO or Local Civil Registrar; if unavailable, a passport or an affidavit executed by two (2) disinterested persons attesting to the circumstances of birth (name, date, place, etc.) must suffice.
- NBI Clearance for travel abroad or local employment, and police and barangay clearances may be accepted in lieu of NBI clearance for domestic fishermen.
- Basic Safety Course Certificate.
- Two (2) latest colored head photographs with white background, sized 3.5 cm. x 4.5 cm., uncapped, signed by the applicant at the back; ship officers and graduates of BSMT/AMT/BSMarE/AME must wear the appropriate uniform and corresponding shoulder board, while other applicants must wear shirts with collar.
- Documentary Stamps.
Additional requirements for New Application vary by applicant category:
- For licensed ship officers: an authenticated valid PRC NTC License or PRC/NTC ID.
- For graduates of BSMT/AMT/BSMarE/AME and Seafarers (Ratings) Course: photocopy of Diploma with Special Order (S.O.)/Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) or photocopy of Transcript of Records with S.O./C.A.V.
- For High School Graduates: High School Diploma/Form 137 and CAV or incontestable proof of completion of secondary education.
- For Engine/Deck Cadets: letter-request from the school and Transcript of Records.
- For applicants who have not completed secondary education (Service Providers and Fishermen), any of the following must be submitted:
  - Certificate of Specialized Training Skill,
  - letter-request from the contracting/shipping company,
  - signed employment contract/certificate of employment,
  - Artist Record Book (POEA),
  - Fisherman’s License (BFAR),
  - attestation of relevant skill or employment by the head of a local government unit.
Revalidation of SIRB requires:
- NBI clearance,
- a valid National Assessment Center (NAC) assessed Basic Safety Course Certificate or STCW Certificate,
- One (1) colored photograph.
Replacement of SIRB requires:
- a filled-up SIRB and submission of previously issued SIRB (or photocopy, as applicable) plus required supporting documents and photos, including:
  - Valid NAC assessed Basic Safety Course or STCW certificate,
  - PRC or NTC authenticated copy of license,
  - NBI clearance,
  - Two (2) latest colored head photographs sized 3.5 cm. x 4.5 cm., uncapped, signed at the back (with uniform/shoulder board rule for ship officers and graduates of BSMT/AMT/BSMarE/AME; shirts with collar rule for others),
  - Documentary stamps.
For lost/damaged SIRB, replacement further requires, depending on the case:
- Damaged SIRB submission,
- valid NAC assessed Basic Safety Course or STCW certificate, as applicable,
- authenticated copy of PRC/NTC license,
- NBI clearance, as appropriate,
- photographs described under replacement,
- Service Record from last year employer,
- duly notarized Affidavit of Loss.
For SIRB lost/damaged abroad, replacement additionally requires:
- a letter request from the shipping/manning agency accompanied by:
  - certified true copy of POEA approved employment contract,
  - crewlist duly signed by the Master and confirmation by the Master of the SIRB loss/damage,
  - affidavit of loss by the seafarer,
  - photographs described under replacement.
For on-board application, replacement requires:
- letter request from the company/agency,
- photocopy of SIRB,
- two (2) latest colored head photographs meeting the same photo specifications,
- documentary stamps.
For recently disembarked crew, company clearance is acceptable in lieu of NBI clearance if the application for revalidation/replacement is filed within ten (10) days upon arrival.
An application to expedite processing is entertained upon submission of a letter-request from the hiring company/manning agency/applicant.
The Administration’s issued SIRB must include:
- name and title of the issuing officer,
- date and place of issue,
- seafarer particulars: full name (first and last name, if applicable), date and place of birth, nationality, physical characteristics, photograph, and signature.

Duties of shipping companies, agencies, and seafarers

Shipping companies/manning agencies must ensure Filipino seafarers on board Philippine-flagged ships hold a valid SIRB at all times appropriate to their position.
Shipping companies/manning agencies must ensure Filipino seafarers deployed on foreign-flagged ships hold a valid SIRB at all times, notwithstanding issuance of an equivalent identity document by the flag state.
Shipping companies/manning agencies must ensure seafarers possess a SIRB with validity period sufficient to cover the contract onboard.
Shipping companies/manning agencies must ensure the genuineness and authenticity of documents and supporting papers of every seafarer where the application is endorsed by the company/agency.
Shipping companies/manning agencies must ensure seafarers are engaged/provide services with due regard to the limitations specified in the SIRB.
Seafarers must secure a valid SIRB before going on board/joining a ship.
Seafarers must secure a valid SIRB whose validity is sufficient to cover the contract.
Seafarers must submit authentic documents and/or papers supporting their SIRB application.
Maritime schools/institutions conducting on-site processing must ensure the genuineness and authenticity of documents submitted by applicant cadet/apprentice.

Fees and charges for SIRB applications

New-Replacement fees:
- For All Seafarers: P550.00
- For Fisherman: P300.00
- For Overseas: P200.00
- For Domestic: P200.00
Expedite Processing fees:
- For All Seafarers: P770.00
- For Fisherman: P420.00
- For Overseas: P320.00
- For Domestic: P320.00
Revalidation fees:
- For All Seafarers: P330.00
- For Fisherman: P200.00
- For Overseas: P100.00
- For Domestic: P100.00
Expedite Processing (Revalidation) fees:
- For All Seafarers: P450.00
- For Fisherman: P280.00
- For Overseas: P150.00
- For Domestic: P150.00
On Board fees:
- For All Seafarers: P770.00
- For Fisherman: P420.00
- For Overseas: P320.00
- For Domestic: P320.00

Administrative suspension/revocation grounds

A seafarer’s SIRB may be suspended/revoked after due process for the grounds listed under suspension or revocation.
Suspension of SIRB is warranted for:
- intemperate habits such as drunkenness tending to cause immediate loss or destruction or serious damage to the ship or tending to endanger the life of any person organic to or passenger of such ship,
- insubordination or direct assault,
- violations of the terms and conditions of the contract without just cause,
- final conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime involving moral turpitude,
- repeated violations of any provision of the Circular.
Revocation of SIRB is warranted for:
- incompetence, negligence or incapacity in the performance of duty,
- assault with dangerous weapon,
- malicious destruction of ship’s property,
- misconduct resulting in the 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 ammunition.

Administrative fines and liability

A shipping company/manning agency is liable for violations including deploying or allowing service with improper SIRB status.
For deploying a seafarer without SIRB on board ship, fines are:
- First Offense: P10,000.00
- Second Offense: P15,000.00
- Third and Succeeding Offenses: P20,000.00
For deploying a seafarer with SIRB whose validity is shorter than the contract, fines are:
- First Offense: P10,000.00
- Second Offense: P15,000.00
- Third and Succeeding Offenses: P20,000.00
For allowing a seafarer to continue serving on board with expired SIRB, fines are:
- First Offense: P10,000.00
- Second Offense: P15,000.00
- Third and Succeeding Offenses: P20,000.00
For allowing a seafarer to use SIRB for any purposes other than what is specified, fines are:
- First Offense: P10,000.00
- Second Offense: P15,000.00
- Third and Succeeding Offenses: P20,000.00
For requesting or recommending issuance of SIRB for and/or in behalf of a seafarer whose documents were tampered by the company/agency, employees, or liaison officers/messengers, or where the company/agency/employee/liaison officer participated in securing tampered documents, fines and recommendations apply:
- First Infraction: P25,000.00
- Second Infraction: P50,000.00 and recommendation to POEA or proper government agency for suspension of company’s license for one (1) month
- Third Infraction: P100,000.00 and recommendation to POEA or proper government agency for cancellation and/or revocation of company’s license
Responsible officials/employees and employee/liaison officer/messenger are subject to criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code in addition to the administrative sanctions and fines imposed on the company/agency.
A seafarer is liable for these acts with the following fines:
- Going on board/joining ship without SIRB or with expired SIRB:
  - First Offense: P2,000.00
  - Second Offense: P3,000.00
  - Third and Succeeding Offenses: P5,000.00
- Going on board/joining ship with SIRB whose validity is shorter than contract:
  - First Offense: P1,000.00
  - Second Offense: P1,500.00
  - Third and Succeeding Offenses: P2,500.00
- Submitting false statements, misrepresentation, fraudulent or tampered certificates/documents, including holding fake/tampered SIRBs (fines vary by rank/position and by offense number):
  - Master Mariner: First Offense: P7,000.00; Second and Succeeding Offenses: P14,000.00
  - Chief Engineer: First Offense: P6,000.00; Second and Succeeding Offenses: P12,000.00
  - Chief Mate/2nd Engineer: First Offense: P5,000.00; Second and Succeeding Offenses: P10,000.00
  - 2nd Mate/3rd Engineer/Radio Officer/Master Electrician: First Offense: P4,000.00; Second and Succeeding Offenses: P8,000.00
  - 3rd Mate/4th Engineer: First Offense: P3,000.00; Second and Succeeding Offenses: P6,000.00
  - Ratings/Others: First Offense: P2,000.00; Second and Succeeding Offenses: P4,000.00

Repeal, separability, and overall effect

MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 97 is repealed, along with any circular/regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 163, s. 2001.
If any part of the Rules is declared null and void, the remaining parts remain valid under the separability principle.