AS part of the Agency’s continuing enhancement of its services to Filipino seafarers, as well as the intensification of the use of available technology, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will commence on 15 February 2022 the issuance online certificates for seafarers under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers 1978, as amended.
MARINA Administrator VADM Robert A Empedrad AFP (Ret) said that seafarers do not need to claim physically at the MARINA their STCW certificates anymore, particularly Certificates of Proficiency (COPs) and Certificates of Competency (COCs), as they will be sent to their respective MISMO Accounts. These certificates have QR codes and they could easily be verified online.
Pursuant to MARINA Advisory 2022-08, here are the additional guidelines on the application and issuance of STCW Certificates:
Effective 15 February 2022, approved applications for the issuance of STCW certificates will be released through MISMO accounts of seafarers after receipt of corresponding payment of fees.
These certificates can be printed on an A4 size bond paper. There is no need to affix the dry seal of the MARINA.
Each COP or COC issuance shall be designated with a unique QR Code. Verification as to their authenticity may be done through the MARINA verification portal. Verifiers only need to input the serial number of the said certificate.
Guidelines for the verification of the authenticity of STCWO issued certificates are spelled out in MARINA Advisory No. 2021-65.
Meanwhile, effective 01 April 2022, personal appearance for regular application for the issuance of COPs and COCs is not required anymore, except on instances where submitted documents need to be clarified and the processing of Expedite Applications.
STCWO Executive Director VADM Rene V Medina AFP (Ret) said that these developments are MARINA’s little gesture of allowing our seafarers have more time to spend their short vacation ashore with their loved ones.
In a related development, the MARINA is mulling reducing cost up to 50% of the issuance of COPs and COCs to mitigate the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the onslaught of recent calamities that devastated parts of the Visayas and Mindanao Regions. This proposal will be submitted to the MARINA Board for its consideration during its next meeting this February.
