MLC, OLC not mandatory for seafarers – Marina

MLC, OLC not mandatory for seafarers – Marina
Yashika F. Torib May 19, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/19/business/maritime-business/mlc-ol...

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has clarified that the Management Level Course (MLC) and Operational Level Course (OLC) for both deck and engine officers are not included in the mandatory training courses.

In an advisory it released for seafarers, maritime training and assessment centers, manning agencies, and shipping companies, Marina announced that based on the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Circular 2018-02, MLC and OLC, along with the Electro-Technical Officers (ETO) and Electro-Technical Ratings (ETR) training are not required for seafarers.

MLC for deck officers is the approved education and training for master mariners and chief mates on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more under Regular II/2 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended. Its counterpart for engine officers applies to chief engineers and second engineers on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 3,000 kW propulsion power or more.

In 2014, the said ship officers were mandated to take MLC courses under the 2010 Stcw Manila Amendments.

Marina reiterated, however, that based on the Minimum Requirements in the Assessment of Competence of Seafarers, MLC, OLC, and ETO are only required for seafarers who have failed thrice in their examination or assessment on the said functions.

This provision was specified at the Stcw Circulars 2018-08 and 2018-09.

Marina, as the country’s Single Maritime Administration, is mandated to implement and enforce the 1978 Stcw Convention as amended.