Marina releases new rules for renewal of Certificate of Proficiency of Filipino seafarers

Marina releases new rules for COP renewal
Yashika F. Torib and Genivi Factao September 1, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/09/01/business/maritime/marina-releases...

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has released a new guideline for the requirements in the application for revalidation of the Certificate of Proficiency (CoP ) of Filipino seafarers.

In an advisory released issued on August 26, Marina stated that Filipino seafarers are required to submit proof of their seagoing service which should not be less than 12 months and an attestation from their ship captain/shipowner/manning agent that he/she have undergone onboard training and other practical training.

This only applies, however, to seafarers who are qualified under Section A-VI/1, A-VI/2, and A-VI/3 of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.

Seafarers can provide any document from the ship's captain/ship owners / manning agencies that prove that he has participated in onboard training and other practical training.

These qualified seafarers are required to submit the said documents every five years to Marina to provide evidence of having maintained the required standard of competence based on the 2010 Manila Amendments of the STCW Convention.

In lieu of refresher training to maintain a standard level of competence, seafarers can submit their onboard training and experiences as set out in Table A-VI/1-1, A-VI/1-2, A-VI/2-1, A-VI/2-2, and A-VI/3.

These shall be submitted to Marina every five years.

In view of this implementation, the following are the requirements in the application for the revalidation of COPs on Basic Training (BT), Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (SCRB), Fast Rescue Boat (FRB), and Advanced Firefighting (AFF):

1. Seagoing service of not less than 12 months

2. Attestation or any document from the Ship's Captain / Ship Owners / Manning Agencies that proves that said seafarer has participated in onboard training and other practical training.

"We are centered on accelerating the development of a nationally integrated and globally competitive maritime industry through education, innovation, technology, and sustainability," Marina said.

Marina continuously upgrades education and training programs consistent with STCW conventions and implements best practices in maritime safety and security.

It aims to advance the competencies of the country's maritime professionals, as the world shortage of officers was estimated at 92,000 in 2020 and 147,500 five years after.

Marina's policies were focused on STCW compliance, maritime education improvement, and the enhancement of maritime workforce welfare.

"With the goal of ensuring the global competitiveness of seafarers, engaging them in more progressive training programs would equip them with knowledge and better services. Investing in the quality of human capital resources will raise the productivity and profitability of the industry," Marina said.

"Competent and reliable seafarers will boost the competitiveness of the Philippine shipping industry while increasing the contribution of the maritime sector in the country's gross domestic product (GDP)," it added.