Covered scope and coverage limits
- These rules apply to vessel inspection, dry-docking, and the issue of certificates required under Regulation I/6 of the PMMRR 1997.
- Underwater surveys under these rules are used as a requirement for the extension/s of the Certificate of Inspection.
- Underwater survey is conducted for vessels involved in the MARINA inspection/survey system for certificates required under Regulation I/6 of the PMMRR 1997.
- The rules distinguish between classed ships and non-classed ships, and prescribe different survey schedules and certificate extension limits.
Definitions established for implementation
- Underwater Hull Survey means an inspection/survey of integral parts below the waterline while the ship is afloat.
- Underwater Hull Survey may be conducted as:
- Underwater Photographic Survey, primarily using still photography prior to underwater hull cleaning and/or repairs of some sections/parts; or
- Underwater Video Survey with CCTV, using underwater video with closed circuit television (CCTV) and a topside monitor recorded on NTSC.
- Thickness Gauging Apparatus is an instrument used to determine the thickness of the shell plating of a ship.
- Classed Ships are ships assigned a character by a classification society based on design, materials, scantlings, and outfit/equipment meeting the society’s standards, with periodic examination by class surveyors and continuance of class depending on their reports and recommendations.
- Non-Classed Ships are ships other than classed ships but inspected by the safety engineer of the Administration for compliance with safety and seaworthiness standards for the services intended.
- Anniversary Date means the day and month of each year corresponding to the date of expiry of the relevant certificate.
- Afloat Survey is a ship survey conducted while the ship is afloat.
- Drydocking is a condition where a ship is taken out of water for cleaning and repair of hull, rudder, propeller, sea valves, and sea chests.
- Certificate of Inspection is a certificate issued after inspection and survey by MARINA ship inspectors or by MARINA-accredited marine underwater surveyors to vessels engaged in voyages in Philippine waters after complying with PMMRR 1997 and other safety rules issued subsequently.
- Interim Certificate of Inspection (ICI) is a certificate issued to extend the validity of the Certificate of Inspection after a favorable result of the afloat and underwater survey/inspection by MARINA ship inspectors and/or MARINA-accredited marine underwater surveyors under PMMRR 1997 and under this Circular.
Policy rules and general requirements
- No Interim Certificate of Inspection (ICI) shall be issued unless the conditions imposed under these rules are complied with.
- Underwater survey under these rules is not intended to replace the mandatory drydocking requirement imposed under PMMRR 1997.
- Underwater surveys must be conducted only by MARINA-accredited underwater surveying company/ies/entity/ies.
- Underwater surveys are imposed in the extension of the Certificate of Inspection.
- MARINA requires Photographic, Video, and Underwater Ultrasonic Thickness Gauging in the conduct of underwater surveys as required for:
- Section IV, 1.5.1 (classed passenger carrying vessels),
- Section IV, 1.5.2 (classed cargo vessels), and
- Section IV, 2.1.6 (non-classed passenger vessels).
- MARINA recognizes, in selected cases, the drydocking schedules of classed ships required by classification societies, without prejudice to MARINA’s plenary power, and shipowners/bareboat charterers/ship managers must always provide MARINA a copy each of the latest STATUS OF CLASS SURVEYS DUE for reference and records.
- MARINA enforces the drydocking schedules for non-classed ships in accordance with PMMRR 1997 and these rules.
- Underwater survey/inspection must be performed on water with a visibility of 80% and must be conducted in a way that does not disrupt vessel operations.
- The Interim Certificate of Inspection (ICI) issued under these rules has a validity of six (6) months and can only be extended for a maximum of six (6) months for classed vessels, provided the afloat inspection and underwater survey/inspection required for the extension are satisfactory.
- MARINA, as the Administration, may supervise the conduct of underwater surveys whenever circumstances warrant.
- Cargo-passenger carrying vessels must comply with the requirements for passenger ships.
- The latest shell expansion plan must be submitted to MARINA for evaluation.
Underwater survey schedules by vessel type
Clased vessels must maintain class and drydock in accordance with the drydocking schedule prescribed by the recognized classification society’s rules.
No extension of drydocking is allowed beyond the two (2) mandatory drydockings for classed vessels.
Passenger ships must undergo underwater survey on the first anniversary of last drydock by a recognized underwater surveying company, and if favorable, a CI for one (1) year is issued.
A vessel may be issued an ICI for a maximum period of six (6) months, and must be assessed corresponding fees for the whole six (6) months equivalent to the aggregate amount if issued on a monthly basis.
Charges for ICI issuance must include survey/inspection charges if required.
For passenger ships (clased vessels), underwater survey/inspection and drydocking schedules must follow the prescribed arrangement using:
- AS (Afloat Survey),
- USI (Underwater Survey/Inspection),
- UUTG (Underwater Ultrasonic Thickness Gauging),
- DD (Drydocking),
- with mandatory timing anchored at 0, 12, and extension markers tied to 24/1st and subsequent periods as shown in the schedule diagram.
Non-classed passenger ships must be drydocked every year.
Non-classed passenger ships must undergo underwater survey by a MARINA accredited marine underwater surveying company.
Extension of CI for non-classed passenger ships is limited to a maximum period of three (3) months, and each ICI issuance has a validity of one (1) month per issuance if meritorious.
Underwater Ultrasonic Gauging test for non-classed passenger ships must always be for the sole account of shipowners, ship managers, and/or bareboat charterers, and when required by the Administration, no ICI is issued without this test showing the vessel’s good condition.
There is no further issuance of ICI to non-classed passenger ships after expiration of the 3rd extension.
Non-classed passenger schedules must follow the prescribed timing diagram using AS/USI, DD, and UUTG, anchored at 0 and 12, with subsequent extension periods structured by the schedule diagram.
Non-classed cargo and fishing vessels must be drydocked once every two (2) years, and if classed, must be drydocked under the class drydocking schedules.
The Full Term Certificate of Inspection validity is one (1) year, and it may be renewed/extended after a satisfactory result of the underwater and afloat survey.
Non-classed cargo and fishing vessels must undergo underwater survey using Photograph and Video by a MARINA-accredited marine underwater surveying company/entity.
Underwater Ultrasonic Gauging measurement must be for the sole account of shipowners/operators/company/bareboat charterers, and no ICI is issued without this test if required.
A maximum of six (6) ICI validity periods (for classed vessels under the applicable section) may be issued subject to satisfactory afloat and underwater survey results prior to the issuance of the 1st and 4th extension.
On the day the 6th extension of the Interim Certificate of Inspection expires, vessels must immediately proceed to a drydocking facility.
The ICI issued under this section has a validity of thirty (30) days per issuance.
The underwater survey/inspection and drydocking schedule for this section must follow the prescribed timing diagram using AS/USI, DD, and UUTG, anchored at 0, 12, and subsequent extension markers up to the 6th extension.
Underwater survey/inspection for these schedules must be conducted on water with visibility of 80%.
Fees and charges for supervision
- When supervision is required for underwater survey, MARINA charges a Supervision Fee based on gross tonnage (GT).
- For vessels with 499.99 GT and below, the minimum Supervision Fee is PHP 2,000.00.
- For vessels with 500.00 GT and above, the minimum Supervision Fee is PHP 3,000.00.
- The fee may be set at the equivalent of the hull fees of MC No. 119, whichever is higher.
- Actual travel expenses of the MARINA ship inspector(s) who supervises the survey must be borne by the applicant.
Repealing and effectivity
- Repealing Clause: This Memorandum Circular repeals the following:
- Administrative Order Nos. 05-97, including Sections II paragraph C sub-paragraph 4, Section IV paragraph 1 and 3, and Section V paragraph 2;
- 08-98;
- 08-98-A;
- 22-98; and
- all other issuances inconsistent with these rules.
- Effectivity is governed by the rule that the Circular takes effect ten (10) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.