Marina extends validity of seafarer certificates

Marina extends validity of seafarer certificates
Genivi Factao April 15, 2020 https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/15/business/maritime-business/marina...

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has extended the validity of seafarer certificates up to six months to help seafarers in dealing with difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Marina Advisory 2020-23 was issued to allow the extension of the validity of Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates of Filipino seafarers serving onboard ships amid the challenges from the pandemic.

“Filipino seafarers that have expired or about-to-expire STCW certificates during the period
March 13 to May 31, 2020 shall be [granted] extended [validity] for six months from the date of expiry of the certificates concerned,” Marina said.

The Marina advisory came in view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and with the signing of Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.”

The manning and shipping agencies were advised to coordinate with their principals or ship owners to make the necessary arrangement with the flag administration of their ships for the extension of validity of the corresponding endorsement attesting recognition of the Filipino seafarer’s STCW certificate.

Marina also instructed them to provide the shipowner or operator, master and their seafarers with a copy of the advisory.

They were also asked to certify the names and positions of seafarers whose certificates have been extended, with information such as names of the ships and shipowners, the IMO number and the flag of the ships and details of the STCW certificate.

An electronic copy of the certification duly signed by the company’s authorized officials must be submitted to Marina.

Marina has considered the conditions of the seafarers, whose planned disembarkation cannot be safely completed in affected ports, and those whose certificates would expire during their voyage.