Coverage
- Applies to all Philippine seafarers serving on seagoing ships who commenced approved service, education, training, or courses before 01 June 1998.
- Excludes seafarers on warships, naval auxiliaries, fishing vessels, non-commercial pleasure yachts, and wooden primitive ships.
Definitions
- Administration: MARINA per Executive Order No. 396.
- Convention: The International STCW Convention, 1978, as amended.
- Existing Seafarers: Those starting approved service or training before 01 June 1998.
- Certificate: STCW Certificate issued by MARINA.
- Endorsement: Document attesting to PRC-issued Certificate of Competency or recognition of other flag states' certificates.
- Fishing Vessel and Seagoing Ship: Defined by navigation areas excluding inland or sheltered waters.
- Management, Operational, and Support Levels: Defined by responsibility and duties aboard ship.
- Long Absence: At least one year without service onboard within the last five years from issuance date.
General Principles and Policies
- Mandatory certification for all existing Philippine seafarers.
- Certificates for masters and officers must be officially endorsed.
- Certificates valid until 01 February 2002.
- Compliance with 1995 Amendments encouraged for all.
- Applications generally must be filed personally or by authorized representatives for renewals and replacements.
- Certificates for specific roles may be issued jointly or separately.
- Renewal and replacement governed by related MC No. __-A.
- MARINA may waive or modify requirements in meritorious cases.
Qualification Requirements
- Prescribed qualifications as per MARINA guidelines (specifics in Appendix 4 not provided).
Documentary Requirements
- New issuance requires application, valid PRC/NTC certificates, medical certificate, SIRB clearly showing sea service, and relevant training certificates.
- Long absence requires similar documents plus proof of recent sea service.
Medical Certification Standards
- Medical certificate must be current and cover a comprehensive list of health and fitness tests, including physical, chest X-ray, bloodwork, psychological, vision, hearing, speech, and where applicable, disease tests.
Validity of Certificates
- Certificates and endorsements are valid for five years from issuance.
- Renewal and revalidation must comply with STCW Regulation 1/11.
Schedule of Fees
- Regular processing: PHP 500 per issuance.
- Expedited processing: PHP 700 per issuance.
- Replacement of lost/damaged certificates: PHP 600 each.
- Authentication of documents: PHP 25 per certificate or document type.
Administrative Penalties and Measures
- Joint and several liabilities for seafarers, manning agencies, and shipping companies allowing uncertificated service onboard, with escalating fines for repeated violations.
- Fines for misrepresentation, false statements, or submission of fraudulent documents varying by position and violation count.
- Third and subsequent violations may lead to professional suspension or disqualification.
- Possession or use of fake certificates involves fines and criminal charges.
- Shipowners/agencies liable for fraudulent submissions with escalating penalties and possible cancellation of licenses.
- Individuals involved in fraudulent actions subject to criminal prosecution.
- Shipping companies/agencies must conspicuously post this Circular; failure results in a PHP 10,000 fine.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent previous circulars, rules, or issuances are repealed.
Effectivity
- Effective 01 August 1998 after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.