MARINA extends validity of seafarers' STCW certificates

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has further extended the validity of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates of Filipino seafarers currently serving onboard seagoing ships.

STCW certificates issued by MARINA to seafarers that have expired or will expire from March 13 to May 31 will be extended for six months from their date of expiry, the agency said in an advisory.

MARINA also said applications for the revalidation of certificates of seafarers affected by the suspension of trainings and assessments will still be processed even if the certificate of proficiency and/or certificate of competency expired or will expire from March 13 to June 30.

"This is subject to the compliance of complete documentary requirements," MARINA Administrator Robert Empedrad said.

MARINA advised the concerned manning/crewing/shipping agencies to coordinate with their principals or ship owners to arrange with the Flag Administration of their ships for the extension of the validity of the corresponding endorsement recognizing the Filipino seafarers' STCW certificate.

Agencies were also told to provide ship owners and operators, ship masters, and their seafarers a copy of the advisory, as well as certify the names and positions of seafarers whose certificates have been extended, among other information, and submit the signed certification to MARINA.

MARINA said it issued the amended advisory in view of the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 and the enactment of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which grants President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to carry out the national policy in connection with the emergency.—AOL, GMA News