Rules on CSR for Philippine Domestic Ships

Presidential Decree No. 474 and Executive Order Nos. 125/125-A provide the authority for adopting these rules.
The circular establishes rules for the issuance and maintenance of Continuous Synopsis Records for Philippine ships in domestic shipping trade that interface with internationally certificated ships.
The circular establishes a continuous system of ship history recording for domestic ships.

“Administration” refers to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
“Company” refers to the owner of the ship or any other organization or person such as the manager or bareboat charterer who has assumed responsibility for operation of the ship from the shipowner and has agreed to take over the owner’s duties and responsibilities.
“Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)” is the record of the history of the ship kept on board during the life of the ship.
“Ship” means a Philippine-registered ship engaged in domestic shipping and covered by the circular.
“Passenger ship” is a ship authorized to carry more than twelve (12) passengers.
“Cargo ship” is any ship that is not a passenger ship.
The circular defines the International Safety Management Code (ISM) Code as the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention.
The circular defines the NSM Code as the National Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention developed by the Administration.
The circular defines “Document of Compliance (DOC)” as a document issued to a company complying with ISM/NSM Code requirements.
The circular defines “Safety Management Certificate (SMC)” as a document issued to a ship after verification that the company and its shipboard management operate in accordance with the approved Safety Management System.

The Administration shall maintain a copy of each CSR issued to a ship.
The CSR file shall be retained onboard notwithstanding any change in the ownership or operation of the ship.
The Master shall ensure that the CSR file is complete and updated.
The Master and Company shall ensure that previous entries in the CSR are not modified, deleted, erased, or defaced.
The Company shall inform the Administration of any transfer of the ship’s registration, and the notice must facilitate the subsequent transmittal of the CSR file to the new owner.

The Company shall file an application in a form prescribed by the Administration for issuance of the CSR.
For any change relative to information reflected in the CSR, the Company or the Master shall submit a duly accomplished Amendment Form to the Administration within five (5) calendar days from the date of the change, for consideration and approval.
When an Amendment Form is attached to the ship’s current CSR, its details shall be entered in the Index of Amendments and attached to the current CSR in chronological order.
If an amendment is not reflected in the latest CSR file, the Master shall:
- accomplish the Amendment Form indicating the amendment(s) not reflected and attach it to the latest CSR;
- reflect the amendment(s) in the Index of Amendments; and
- forward copies of the Amendment Form to the Administration.
For CSR issuance, the Company shall request the ship’s previous Flag State to send the CSR file to the Administration.

In case of loss or damage of a ship’s CSR file, the Company or Master shall inform the Administration in writing and under oath and identify the document(s) lost or damaged.
The Administration shall then immediately provide a certified true copy of the subject document(s) to the ship to replace the lost or damaged document(s), signed by the authorized officials.

For initial issuance of CSR, the documentary requirements are:
- Letter of Intent; and
- Duly accomplished application form.
For amendment of or change in the CSR, the documentary requirements are:
- Letter of Intent; and
- Duly accomplished amendment form.

The Company shall pay a processing fee of PHP 1,200.00 per ship/application.

The circular imposes fines or penalties separately on the company and the Master after due notice and hearing for:
- failure to report any change in the CSR; and
- unauthorized change of entries in any CSR document.
The fines or penalties are:
- First Violation: PHP 5,000.00
- Second Violation: PHP 10,000.00
- Third and succeeding violations: PHP 20,000.00

MARINA Circular No. 2006-005 was adopted on 16 February 2006.
It is signed by authority of the Board by VICENTE T. SUAZO, JR., Administrator.