Revalidation of STCW '95 Certificates for Seagoing Service After January 1, 2017

January 3, 2013

PRC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 002-13

 

I. Authority

Section 10 (c), Article IV, and Section 26, Article V of Republic Act No. 8544, known as the "PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS ACT OF 1998", as implemented by Section 35, Article VII of Resolution No. 48-A, series of 2012, of the Professional Regulatory Board of Marine Engineer Officers.

II. Objective

To ensure that for the safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment, marine engineer officers shall, and as basis for continuing service on board seagoing ships, comply with the standard of medical fitness prescribed by Regulation I/9, establish continued professional competence in accordance with Regulation I/11 of the STCW Convention and Section A-I/11 of the STCW Code, and meet the requirements and standard of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention.

III. Purpose

To provide guidelines in the revalidation of STCW '95 Certificates pursuant to Regulation I/11 of the STCW Convention and Section A-I/11 of the STCW Code to marine engineer officers holding STCW '95 Certificates revalidated under any chapter of the Convention other than Chapter VI, who are currently serving at sea or intends to return to sea after a period ashore shall, in order to qualify for seagoing service after January 1, 2017, be required to:

1. Meet the standards of medical fitness prescribed by regulation I/9; and

2. Establish continued professional competence in accordance with Section A-I/11 of the STCW Code.

IV. Coverage

This Memorandum Circular shall apply to the following categories:

A. Marine Engineer Officers serving on board seagoing ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 Kw propulsion power or more and who have commenced approved education and training prior to 01 January 2012.

B. Marine Engineer Officers serving on board certain types of seagoing ships under Regulation V/1, V/2 and V/3 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended.

C. Marine Engineer Officers who were unable to serve on board seagoing ships for at least one (1) year accumulated approved seagoing service during the preceding five (5) year from date of filing of the application for revalidation. aTcHIC

V. Definition of Terms. — Unless otherwise herein provided, the following shall mean:

1. Commission — the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) created under Republic Act No. 8981, known as the "PRC Modernization Act of 2000".

2. Board — Professional Regulatory Board of Marine Engineer Officers.

3. STCW Convention — the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW), as amended.

4. STCW Code — the Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code as adopted by the 1995 Conference Resolution 2.

5. Engineer Officer — a duly registered and licensed Chief Engineer Officer, Second Engineer Officer and Office-in-Charge of an Engineering Watch in a manned engine-room or designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine-room.

6. Chief Engineer Officer — a duly registered and licensed Engineer Officer who has over-all in-charge of the mechanical propulsion and the operation and maintenance of the electrical installations in the ship.

7. Second Engineer Officer — a duly registered and licensed marine engineer officer next-in-rank to the Chief Engineer Officer who exercises supervision over all the machineries and auxiliaries as well as the engine personnel of the ship; who performs such other function as the Chief Engineer Officer may assign to him from time to time; and upon whom shall devolve the responsibilities of the Chief Engineer Officer, in the absence of, or in the event of incapacity of the latter.

8. Officer-in-Charge of an Engineering Watch — a duly registered and licensed marine engineer officer next-in-rank to a Second Engineer Officer designated in a manned engine-room or designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine-room who is responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of the machineries and equipment assigned to him by the Chief Engineer Officer including the inspection maintenance of the electrical installations in the ship.

9. Electro-Technical Officer — a marine engineer officer qualified in accordance with the provisions of Regulation III/6 of the STCW Convention.

10. Management Level — the level of responsibility associated with serving as Chief Engineer Officer or Second Engineer Officer on board a seagoing ship and ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are properly performed.

11. Operational Level — the level of responsibility associated with serving as officer-in-charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine room or as designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine room or machinery spaces on board a seagoing ship, and maintaining direct control over the performance of all functions within the designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures, under the direction and supervision of a merchant marine engineer officer serving in the management level for that area of responsibility.

12. Certificate of Registration — a document issued to a marine engineer officer after passing the required examination and upon compliance with all the requirements prescribed by the Board and the Commission.

13. Certificate of Competency — a Certificate issued and duly endorsed for masters, officers and GMDSS radio operators in accordance with the provisions of chapters II, III, IV or VII of the annex to the STCW Convention that entitles the lawful holder thereof to serve in such capacity and perform the functions involved at the level of responsibility specified therein.

14. Endorsement Certificate — a document issued by the Commission and the Administration and attest the issuance of a Certificate of Competency to a marine engineer officer or the recognition of a Certificate issued by other flag states in compliance with the requirements and standard of the STCW Convention. TASCEc

15. STCW Certificate — a Certificate issued in accordance with all the applicable requirements and standard of the STCW Convention and Code.

16. Approved — approval by the Party to the STCW Convention in compliance with all relevant requirements of the Regulations, the annex to the Convention, and mandatory provisions contained in Part A of the STCW Code.

17. Approved Education and Training — a structured education and training program duly approved by the Commission on Higher Education to enable a candidate to meet the standard of competence of the STCW Code for certification in both the operational and management levels.

18. Approved Seagoing Service — a service on board a ship relevant to the issuance or revalidation of a Certificate or other related qualifications.

19. Approved Training Course — a training course in compliance with the requirements and standard of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, and accredited by the Administration.

20. Management Level Course — the approved education and training required under paragraph 2, Regulation III/2 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, for candidates for certification as a management level officer and meet the standard of competence specified in Section A-III/2 of the STCW Code.

21. Approved Training Record Book — an official record book of structured training activities on board a ship which forms part of an approved training program of a candidate for certification as officer-in-charge of an engineering watch under close supervision and monitoring of a qualified officer.

22. Seagoing Ship — a ship other than those which navigates exclusively in inland waters or in waters within, or closely adjacent to, sheltered waters or areas where port regulations apply.

23. Licensure Examination for Marine Engineer Officers — the licensure examination given by the Board which is composed of the theoretical phase and the practical assessment phase.

24. Function — a group of tasks, duties and responsibilities, as specified in the STCW Code, necessary for ship operation, safety of life at sea or protection of the marine environment.

25. Near-Coastal Voyage — a voyage in the vicinity of a Party as defined by that Party or an agreement between that Party and another State to consider or treat a voyage as coastwise voyage.

26. Administration — the Government of the Party in whose flag a ship is entitled to fly.

27. Supernumerary Capacity — a certificated marine engineer officer assigned on board a ship with no specific responsibility other than to train and observe for a specific position pursuant to the STCW Convention.

28. Propulsion Power — the total maximum continuous rated output power in kilowatts, of all the ship's main propulsion machinery which appears on the ship's Certificate of registry or other official documents.

29. Regulations — the Regulations contained in the Annex to the STCW Convention, as amended.

30. Oil Tanker — a ship constructed and used for the carriage of petroleum and petroleum products in bulk.

31. Chemical Tanker — a ship constructed and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquid product listed in Chapter 17 of the International Bulk Chemical Code.

32. Liquefied Gas Tanker — a ship constructed and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquefied gas or other product listed in Chapter 19 of the International Gas Carrier Code. cDHCAE

33. Passenger Ship — a ship as defined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.

34. Roll On-Roll Off Passenger Ship — a passenger ship with roll on-roll off spaces or special category spaces as defined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), as amended.

35. Certificate of Proficiency — a Certificate, other than a Certificate of competency issued to a marine engineer officer, stating that the relevant requirements of training, competence or seagoing service of the STCW Convention, as amended, have been met. 

36. Person with Immediate Responsibility — a marine engineer officer having a decision making capacity with respect to loading, discharging, care in transit, handling of cargo, tank cleaning or other cargo related operations, pursuant to regulation V/1-1, paragraphs 3 and 5 and regulation V/1-2, paragraph 3.

VI. Policies

1. Marine Engineer Officers shall, as basis for continuing seagoing service on board ships for which special training requirements have been internationally agreed upon, have successfully completed the approved relevant training.

2. Marine Engineer Officers shall, as basis for continuing seagoing service on board tankers, have met the requirements in paragraph 1 of Regulation I/11 and be required at intervals not exceeding 5 years, establish continued professional competence for tankers in accordance with Section A-I/11, paragraph 3 of the STCW Code.

3. The Board and the Commission shall compare the standard of competence which are required of candidates for Certificate issued before 1 January 2017 with those specified for the appropriate Certificate in Part A of the STCW Code, and shall determine the need for requiring marine engineer officers to undergo appropriate refresher and updating training or assessment.

4. The Board and the Commission shall, for the purpose of updating the knowledge of marine engineer officers, ensure that the texts of recent changes in national and international regulations concerning the safety of life at sea, security and the protection of the marine environment are made available to ships entitled to fly its flag.

5. Applicants must be medically fit, particularly with good eyesight and hearing. The Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) Certificate must be issued by a Department of Health (DOH) accredited medical clinic or hospital conducting physical and medical examination for seafarers in accordance with the minimum standard set in the STCW Code. The DOH accredited medical clinic or hospital must have a Quality Standards System (QSS) in place in accordance with Section A-I/8 of the STCW Code.

6. The training courses required under these guidelines must be taken from maritime training centers accredited by the Administration and/or recognized by the Board.

7. STCW Certificates shall be revalidated in accordance with the requirements and standard of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention.

8. Board Members/Qualified Assessors, pursuant to Regulation I/6 of the STCW Convention and Section A-I/6 of the STCW Code shall:

(a) have an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of the competency to be assessed;

(b) have qualified in the task for which assessment is being made;

(c) have received appropriate guidance in assessment methods and practice; CAcDTI

(d) have received appropriate guidance in assessment methods and practice; and

(e) have gained practical assessment experience in the particular type of simulator under the supervision of, and satisfaction of an experienced assessor, if conducting assessment involving the use of simulator.

9. Revalidated STCW Certificates, with all its relevant information, shall be entered in the database and website of the Commission pursuant to Regulation I/2 of the revised STCW Convention.

10. The Certificate of Competency shall contain limitation/s on type of ship, propulsion power in kilowatt, trading area, and such other limitation/s which a Board Member/Qualified Assessor may impose after an assessment.

11. A Chief or Second Engineer Officer who applies for the revalidation of his STCW '95 Certificates for seagoing service after January 1, 2017 shall present proof that he has been duly certificated in the Revised Management Level Course in compliance with the June 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention, and in the approved refresher/updating training courses, as required by the Board and the Commission.

12. The Certificate of Competency shall bear the unique registration and certificate numbers, the date of issuance, revalidation and expiration, and signed by the Chairman of the Board and Chairperson of the Commission. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Certificate of Competency shall be signed in the following order: (1) The Vice-Chairman; and (2) The senior member of the Board.

13. The Certificate of Competency shall be in the English language, and shall be revalidated upon verification of the authenticity and validity of the required documentary evidence. It shall be issued in a separate and distinct document, the form of shall be that set forth in paragraph 1 of Section A-I/2 of the STCW Code together with the corresponding limitation/s, if any, and shall expire within a period of five (5) years unless sooner withdrawn, suspended or revoked/cancelled by the Board.

14. The Endorsement Certificate shall bear the unique registration and certificate numbers, the date of issuance, revalidation and expiration.

15. The Endorsement Certificate shall be issued in a separate and distinct document, the form of which shall be that set forth in paragraph 2 of Section A-I/2 of the STCW Code together with the corresponding limitation/s, if any. It shall only be issued upon compliance with all the relevant requirements of the STCW Convention, and shall have the same category and limitation/s, if any, indicated in the Certificate of Competency, and will expire as soon as the Certificate endorsed expires or unless sooner withdrawn, suspended or revoked/cancelled by the Board and in any case, not more than five (5) years from date of issue.

16. STCW Certificates shall pursuant to Regulation I/2, paragraph 11, and subject to the provisions of Regulation I/10, paragraph 5, be kept available in its original form on board the ship on which the marine engineer officer is serving. The capacity in which the marine engineer officer is authorized to serve shall be identified in the form of Endorsement in terms identical to those used in the applicable safe manning requirements of the Administration.

17. The Endorsement Certificate bearing the registration/certificate number indicating therein the date of issuance and date of expiration shall be signed by the Chairperson of the Commission. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Endorsement Certificate shall be signed in the following order: (1) the senior member of the Commission; and (2) the junior member of the Commission. It shall likewise be signed by the Administration.

18. Every Marine Engineer Officer shall be assigned a permanent unique registration/Certificate number which shall appear in his Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Competency and Endorsement Certificate. Renumbered Certificates shall retain the original date of registration in his present grade/rank in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Board. DcSTaC

19. Marine Engineer Officers who apply for additional regulation/s shall present proof that he has completed and is duly certified in the approved training courses required under the said regulation/s.

20. Marine Engineer Officers holding STCW Certificates issued in accordance with the provisions of the Convention which applied prior to 1 January 2012 and who have not met the requirements of the 2010 Manila Amendments, the validity of any revalidated Certificate shall not extend beyond 1 January 2017.

21. Marine Engineer Officers holding STCW Certificates issued in accordance with the provisions of the Convention which applied prior to 1 January 2012 and who have met the requirements of the 2010 Manila Amendments, the validity of any revalidated Certificate shall extend beyond 1 January 2017.

22. Marine Engineer Officers who commenced an approved seagoing service, approved education and training program or an approved training course before 1 July 2013, the validity of any Certificate issued shall not extend beyond 1 January 2017, unless they comply with the requirements of the 2010 Manila Amendments.

23. Marine Engineer Officers who commenced an approved seagoing service, approved education and training program or an approved training course after 1 July 2013, the validity of any Certificate issued shall extend beyond 1 January 2017.

24. Medical certificates issued under the 1995 STCW Amendments shall not be valid beyond 1 January 2017, unless they have met the standard and requirements of Regulation I/9 of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention.

25. A Chief or Second Engineer Officer who has no approved training and at least twelve (12) months seagoing service for the last five (5) years or at least three (3) months seagoing service for the last three (3) years on board a ship with steam or gas turbine driven main engine prior to the date of application, shall be subject to this limitation, "Not valid on ships with steam or gas turbine driven main engine".

26. These guidelines shall not apply to Marine Engineer Officers with seagoing service on board:

a. warships, naval auxiliaries, or other ships owned or operated by a State and engaged only in governmental non-commercial service;

b. fishing vessels;

c. pleasure yachts not engaged in commercial trade; or

d. wooden ships of primitive build.

VII. Registry of Certificates

The Board and the Commission shall continue to maintain and enhance the system of the electronic database of all certificates and endorsements for Marine Deck and Marine Engineer Officers which are issued, have expired or have been revalidated, suspended, revoked/cancelled or reported lost or destroyed and to make available information on the status of such Certificates of Competency and Endorsement to the other Parties and companies which request verification of the authenticity and validity of certificates presented to them by Marine Deck and Marine Engineer Officers seeking recognition of their Certificates under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention.

VIII. Documentary Requirements

1. Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (Board Certificate)/STCW Certificate of Competency, Endorsement Certificate and valid PRC ID Card. The original must be presented for authentication. 

2. Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) Certificate, from DOH accredited medical clinic/hospital, which must not be more than two (2) years, and applicant is deployed within ninety (90) days from the date of issuance, and not less than fifteen (15) days prior to expiry date, upon application for revalidation of STCW Certificates. HCaEAT

3. Twelve (12) months accumulated approved seagoing service during the preceding five (5) years from the date of application:

(a) Company Certification of Sea Service. The Certification shall include the type of vessel, the capacity/position occupied, vessel's Kw propulsion power, vessel's trading area and inclusive dates of sea service.

(b) Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB) — a photocopy of each of pages one and two, and other pages reflecting the seagoing service. In case of lost/damaged SIRB, any acceptable substitute documentary proof of seagoing service, as may be determined by the Board, and an affidavit of loss.

4. Certificates for Training courses under Regulations V and VI and/or Certificates of Training for courses other than Regulations V and VI, as may be required.

5. Certificate of Completion in the revised Management Level Course for Chief Engineer and Second Engineer Officer, and an Officer-in-Charge of an Engineering Watch applicants under Regulation III/3 of the STCW Convention.

6. Two (2) passport size pictures in proper uniform and haircut.

IX. Qualification Requirements

X. Procedures

1. Application:

1.1 Applicants under Category "A" may file their application personally, or through their authorized representative, at the PRC Central office, or at any of the PRC regional offices.

1.2 Applicants under Category "B" shall file their application personally at the PRC Central office.

1.3 At the STCW Division, the applicant shall obtain from the Information Counter the Application for the issuance of STCW Certificates and fills up the same; or may download the Application form from the PRC website, prc.gov.ph.

1.4 The applicant shall submit his duly accomplished application form and other documentary requirements to the application counter.

2. Evaluation of Application and documentary requirements:

2.1 The application and documentary requirements shall be evaluated by the designated evaluator as to completeness of the submitted documentary requirements in accordance with the appropriate checklist of requirements, the authenticity of the documents through verification with the concerned maritime training center/s and/or using the ultraviolet light, and the status of applicant's certificate with the records and Control List of the Commission. If the submitted documentary requirements are incomplete, the application shall be returned to the applicant. The application shall be forwarded to the Lawyer designated to handle maritime cases should any of the submitted documentary requirements be found to be spurious or fraudulent, the applicant has a pending case or whose authority to practice the maritime profession has been suspended or revoked/cancelled.

2.2 The application shall be forwarded to the Board for assessment if the submitted documentary requirements are complete and in order.

3. Assessment of applicant's competence:

3.1 A Board Member/Qualified Assessor shall assess the qualification and competence of the applicant as having achieved the required standard of competence under Section A of the STCW Code through the submitted documentary requirements.

3.2 The Board Member/Qualified Assessor shall approve the application if the applicant is found duly qualified and has met the standard of competence to serve in the capacity specified in the application.

3.3 If the Board Member/Qualified Assessor disapproves the application, the applicant shall be informed of such disapproval and the documents submitted shall be returned to the applicant.

3.4 The applicant may file a letter of reconsideration of the denial/disapproval of his application with the Board within three (3) days from receipt of notice of the denial/disapproval. The Board within the same period of three (3) days shall render its final decision on the letter of reconsideration.

4. Revalidation of STCW '95 Certificates

4.1 The STCW '95 Certificates shall be revalidated for seagoing service after January 1, 2017, if the Board finds the applicant to be qualified and competent under the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention.

4.2 The STCW Certificate, with all its relevant information shall be entered in the database and website of the Commission.

4.3 Limitation/s, if any, shall be stated in the Certificate.

4.4 Marine Engineer Officers who are on board are allowed to claim their STCW Certificates through their company's duly authorized representative recognized by the Commission. ECcaDT

XI. Transitional Provisions

1. Until 1 January 2017, the Commission may continue to issue, recognize and endorse Certificates in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention which applied immediately prior to 1 January 2012 in respect of marine engineer officers who commenced approved seagoing service, an approved education and training program or an approved training course before 1 July 2013.

2. Until 1 January 2017, the Commission may continue to revalidate Certificates and Endorsements in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention which applied immediately prior to 1 January 2012.

XII. Repealing Clause

Any rule, circular or issuance, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any of the provision of this Memorandum Circular is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

XIII. Separability Clause

If any provision of this Memorandum Circular is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

IV. Effectivity

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of nationwide circulation, whichever is earlier.

Let a copy of this Memorandum Circular be furnished the U.P. Law Center.

BOARD OF MARINE ENGINEER OFFICERS

 

(SGD.) CHIEF ENGINEER MIGUEL O. MARASIGANVice-Chairman

APPROVED:

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION

 

(SGD.) TERESITA R. MANZALAChairperson

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 109, No. 6, page 701 on February 11, 2013.