PRC Memorandum Circular No. 003-13

January 3, 2013

PRC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 003-13

TO	:	Marine Deck Officers and All Concerned

SUBJECT	:	Revalidation of

I. Authority

Section 10 (c), Article IV, and Section 26, Article V of

II. Objective

To ensure that for the safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment, marine deck officers shall, and 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

III. Purpose

To provide guidelines in the revalidation of STCW Certificates pursuant to Regulation I/11 of the

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

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

IV. Coverage

This Memorandum Circular shall apply to the following categories:

A. Marine Deck Officers serving on board seagoing ships of 500GT or more.

B. Marine Deck Officers serving on board certain types of seagoing ships under Regulation V/1, V/2 and V/3 of the

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

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

1. Commission the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) created under

2. Board the Professional Regulatory Board of Marine Deck Officers.

3. the International

4. the Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (

5. Deck Officer a duly registered and licensed Master Mariner, Chief Mate, Officer-in-Charge of a Navigational Watch, Major Patron and Minor Patron.

6. Master a duly registered and licensed marine deck officer having command of a ship.

7. Master Mariner a duly registered and licensed marine deck officer with the highest level of license attainable and whose qualification is required to serve as the person in charge or person in command of a merchant marine ship.

8. Chief Mate a duly registered and licensed marine deck officer next-in-rank to the Master who exercises supervision of the deck personnel of the ship; the loading and unloading of cargo; the maintenance and upkeep of the ship; who performs such other function as the Master may assign to him from the time to time; and upon whom the command of the ship shall devolve, in the absence of, or in the event of incapacity of the Master.

9. Officer-in-Charge of a National Watch a duly registered and licensed marine deck officer-in-rank to the Chief Mate designated as in charge of a navigational watch who performs such other duties and functions as the Master may direct.

10. Major Patron a duly registered and licensed marine deck officer who acts as Master of a ship engaged on near coastal voyages.

11. Management Level the level of responsibility associated with serving as Master or Chief Mate on board a seagoing ship and ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are properly performed.

12. Operational Level the level of responsibility association with serving as officer-in-charge of a navigational watch, 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 marine deck officer serving in the management level for that area of responsibility.

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

14. 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

15. Endorsement Certificate a document issued by the Commission and the Administration and attest the issuance of a Certificate of Competency to a marine deck officer or the recognition of a Certificate issued by other flag states in compliance with the requirements and standard of the TcEaDS

16. a Certificate issued in accordance with all the applicable requirements and standard of the

17. Approved approval by the Party to the

18. 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

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

20. Approved Training Course a training course in compliance with the requirements and standard of the

21. Management Level Course the approved education and training required under paragraph 2. Regulation II/2 of the

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

23. 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.

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

25. Function a group of tasks, duties and responsibilities, as specified in the

26. 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.

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

28. Supernumerary Capacity a certificated marine deck officer with no specific responsibility other than to train and observe for a specific position pursuant to the

29. Regulations the Regulations contained in the Annex to the

30. GMDSS Radio Operator a marine deck officer who is qualified in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV of the

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

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. Passenger Ship a ship as defined in the International

35. Roll On-Roll Off Passenger Ship a passenger ship with roll on-roll off spaces or special category spaces as defined in the International cACHSE

36. Certificate of Proficiency a Certificate, other than a Certificate of competency issued to a marine deck officer, stating that the relevant requirements of training, competence or seagoing service of the

37. Person with Immediate Responsibility a marine deck 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 Deck 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 Deck Officers shall, as basis for continuing seagoing service on board tankers, meet 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

3. The Board and the Commission shall determine the need for requiring a marine deck officer 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 deck 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 hospitals 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 the Quality Standards System (QSS) in place in accordance with Section A-I/8 of the

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. Board Members/Qualified Assessors, pursuant to Regulation I/6 of the

(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;

(d) 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.

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

9. The Certificate of Competency may contain limitation/s on type of ship, gross tonnage, trading area, and such other limitation/s which a Board Member/Qualified Assessor may impose after an assessment.

10. A Master Mariner, Chief Mate or Major Patron who applies for the revalidation of STCW Certificates shall be required to present proof that he has completed and been duly certificated in the revised Management Level Course in compliance with the June 2010 Manila amendments to the aETDIc

11. 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.

12. 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-1/2 of the

13. General Operator's Course Certificate (GOC) shall include therein the additional knowledge required by the relevant Regulations in the examination for the issuance of a Certificate complying with the Radio Regulations.

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 used in a separate and distinct document, the form of which shall be that set forth in paragraph 2 of Section A-1/2 of the

16.

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 Deck 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.

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

20. Medical certificates must meet the requirements and standard of Regulation 1/9 of the

21. These guidelines shall not apply to Marine Deck 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; aEHASI

c. pleasure yachts not engaged in commercial trade; or

d. wooden ship or primitive build.

VII. Register or 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 Officer 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 1/10 of the

VIII. Documentary Requirements

1. Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (Board Certificate)/

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

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 rank occupied, vessel's gross tonnage, 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 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 & VI and/or Certificates of Training for courses other than Regulations V & VI, as may be required.

5. Certificate of Completion in the revised Management Level Course for Master Mariner and Chief Mate applicants, and a Major Patron and Officer-in-Charge of a Navigational Watch applicants under

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

IX. Qualification Requirements

Master and Chief Mate					Officer in Charge
(Management Level)					of a Navigational Watch
					(Operational Level)

Category A Marine Deck Officers shall					Category A Marine Deck Officers shall
establish continued professional					establish continued professional
competence by:					competence by:

1.	having completed approved				1.	having completed approved
	seagoing service, performing					seagoing service, performing
	functions appropriate to the					functions appropriate to the
	certificate held, for a period of at					certificate held, for a period of at
	least:					least:

	1.	total of twelve (12) months, at least				1.	total of twelve (12) months, at least nine (9)
		nine (9) months of which are on					months of which are on international voyage,
		international voyage, during the					during the preceding five years from date
		preceding five years from date of					of filing of the application for revalidation; or
		filing of the application for
		revalidation; or				2.	three (3) months on international voyage
							during the preceding six (6) months
	2.	three (3) months on international					immediately prior to the date of filing of
		voyage during the preceding six					the application for revalidation.
		(6) months immediately prior to the
		date of filing of the application for			Category B Continued professional competence
		revalidation.			for tankers:

				OR	1.	Regulation V/1-1 Oil and Chemical Tankers

2.	having completed approved seagoing					I.	Basic training for Oil and Chemical
	service, performing functions						Tanker Cargo Operations (Regulation V/1-
	appropriate to the certificate held, for						1, par. 1)
	a period of at least three (3) months
	in a supernumerary capacity, or in a						Approved seagoing service for a period of
	lower officer rank than that for which						at least three (3) months on oil or chemical
	the certificate held is valid immediately						tankers and meet the standard of
	prior to taking up the rank for which it						competence specified in Section A-VI/1-1,
	is valid.						par. 1 of theor completed an
							approved Basic Training for Oil and
Category B Continued professional							Chemical Tanker Cargo operations, and
competence for tankers:							meet the standard of competence specified
							in Section A-V/1-1, par. 1 of the
1.	Regulation V/1-1 Oil and Chemical						Code during the preceding five years from
	Tankers						date of filing of the application for
							revalidation.
	I.	Basic training for Oil and
		Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations			II.	Advance training for Oil Tanker Cargo
		(Regulation V/1-1, par. 1)				Operations (Regulation V/1-1, par. 3)

		Approved seagoing service for a				1.	Basic training for oil and chemical
		period of at least three (3) months					tanker cargo operations. (Regulation
		on oil or chemical tankers and					V/1-1, par. 1)
		meet the standard of competence
		specified in Section A-VI/1-1,				2.	Approved seagoing service for a
		par. 1 of theor					period of at least three (3) months on
		completed an approved Basic					oil tankers, or at least one month of
		Training for Oil and Chemical					approved onboard training on oil
		Tanker Cargo operations, and					tankers, in a supernumerary capacity,
		meet the standard of competence					which includes at least three loading
		specified in Section A-V/1-1, par. 1					and three unloading operations and is
		of the					documented in an approved training
		preceding five years from date of					record book taking into account
		filing of the application for					guidance in Section B-V/1.
		revalidation.
						3.	Completed approved advanced training
	II.	Advance training for Oil Tanker					for oil tanker cargo operations and
		Cargo Operations (Regulation					meet the standard of competence
		V/1-1, par. 3)					specified in Section A-V/1-1,
							paragraph 2 of the
		1.	Basic training for oil and
			chemical tanker cargo		III.	Advanced training for Chemical Tanker
			operations. (Regulation			Cargo Operations (Regulation V/1-1,
			V/1-1, par. 1)			par. 5)

		2.	Approved seagoing service			1.	Basic training for oil and chemical
			for a period of at least three				tanker cargo operations. (Regulation
			(3) months on oil tankers, or				V/1-1, par. 1)
			at least one month of approved
			onboard training on oil tankers,			2.	Approved seagoing service for a
			in a supernumerary capacity,				period of at least three (3) months on
			which includes at least three				chemical tankers, or at least one month
			loading and three unloading				of approved onboard training on
			operations and is documented				chemical tankers, in a supernumerary
			in an approved training				capacity, which includes at least three
			record book taking into account				loading and three unloading operations
			guidance in Section B-V/1.				and is documented in an approved
							training record book taking into
		3.	Completed approved advanced				account guidance in Section B-V/1.
			training for oil tanker cargo
			operations and meet the standard			3.	Completed approved advanced training
			of competence specified in				for chemical tanker cargo operations
			Section A-V/1-1, paragraph 2				and meet the standard of competence
			of the				specified in Section A-V/1-1,
							paragraph 3 of the
	III.	Advanced training for Chemical
		Tanker Cargo Operations			2.	Regulation V/1-2 Liquefied Gas Tankers
		(Regulation V/1-1, par. 5)
						I.	Basic training for Liquefied Gas
		1.	Basic training for oil and				Tanker Cargo Operations (Regulation
			chemical tanker cargo				V/1-2, par. 1)
			operations. (Regulation
			V/1-1, par. 1)				Approved seagoing service for a period
							of at least three (3) months on liquefied
		2.	Approved seagoing service				gas tankers and meet the standard of
			for a period of at least three				competence specified in Section A-VI/1-2,
			(3) months on chemical				par. 1 of theor an approved
			tankers, or at least one month				basic training for liquefied gas tanker
			of approved onboard				cargo operations and meet the standard
			training on chemical tankers,				of competence specified in Section A-
			in a supernumerary capacity,				VI/1-2, par. 1 of the
			which includes at least three				the preceding five years from date of
			loading and three unloading				filing of the application for revalidation.
			operations and is documented
			in an approved training			II.	Advance training for Liquefied Gas Tanker
			record book taking into				Cargo Operations (Regulation V/1-2, par. 3)
			account guidance in section
			B-V/1.				1.	Basic training for liquefied gas tanker
								cargo operations.
		3.	Completed approved advanced
			training for chemical tanker				2.	Approved seagoing service for a
			cargo operations and meet the					period of at least three (3) months on
			standard of competence specified					liquefied gas tankers, or at least one
			in Section A-V/1-1, paragraph 3					month of approved onboard training
			of the					on liquefied gas tankers, in a
								supernumerary capacity, which
2.	Regulation V/1-2 Liquefied Gas							includes at least three loading and
	Tankers							three unloading operations and is
								documented in an approved training
	I.	Basic training for Liquefied Gas						record book taking into account
		Tanker Cargo Operations						guidance in Section B-V/1.
		(Regulation V/1-2, par. 1)
							3.	Completed approved advanced training
		Approved seagoing service for a						for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations
		period of at least three (3) months						and meet the standard of competence
		on liquefied gas tankers and meet						specified in Section A-VI/1-2, paragraph
		the standard of competence						2 of the
		specified in Section A-VI/1-2, par.
		1 of theor an			Category C Marine Deck Officers who were
		approved basic training for			unable to serve on board seagoing ship/s for at
		liquefied gas tanker cargo			least one (1) year accumulated approved seagoing
		operations and meet the standard			service for the Certificate held during the
		of competence specified in Section			preceding five (5) years from date of filing of the
		A-VI/1-2, par. 1 of the			application for revalidation shall comply with the
		during the preceding five years			following:
		from date of filing of the application
		for revalidation.			1.	Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork
						(Management Level) with assessment
	II.	Advance training for Liquefied Gas
		Tanker Cargo Operations			2.	Maritime Law for Ship's Officer
		(Regulation V/1-2, par. 3)
					3.	GOC
	1.	Basic training for liquefied gas
		tanker cargo operations.			4.	Radar Navigation and Radar Plotting Use of
						ARPA (RNRPUA)
	2.	Approved seagoing service for a
		period of at least three (3) months			5.	Cargo Handling and Stowage
		on liquefied gas tankers, or at least
		one month of approved onboard			6.	MARPOL 73/78 Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
		training on liquefied gas tankers, in
		a supernumerary capacity, which			7.	Function 1 of the revised Management Level
		includes at least three loading and				Course
		three unloading operations and is
		documented in an approved training			Note:
		record book taking into account
		guidance in Section B-V/1.			1.	Revalidated Tanker Certificates shall be
						valid for not more than five (5) years from
	3.	Completed approved advanced				date of issue.
		training for liquefied gas tanker
		cargo operations and meet the			2.	Training Certificates with expiry date prior to
		standard of competence specified				the expiration of the
		in Section A-VI/1-2, paragraph 2				first be revalidated prior to application for
		of the				revalidation.

Category C Marine Deck Officers who
were unable to serve on board seagoing
ship/s for at least one (1) year accumulated
approved seagoing service for the
Certificate held during the preceding five
(5) years from date of filing of the
application for revalidation shall comply
with the following:

1.	Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork
	(Management Level) with assessment

2.	Maritime Law for Ship's Officers

3.	GOC

4.	RABSTAR

5.	Cargo Handling and Stowage

6.	MARPOL 73/78 Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4,
	5 and 6

7.	Function 1 of the revised Management
	Level Course

Note:

1.	Revalidated Tanker Certificates shall be
	valid for not more than five (5) years
	from date of issue.

2.	Training Certificates with expiry date
	prior to the expiration of the
	Certificates must first be revalidated
	prior to application for revalidation.

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

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. ESTDcC

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

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

4.1 The STCW Certificates shall be revalidated, if the Board finds the applicant to be qualified and competent under the

4.2 The

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

4.4 Marine Deck Officers who are on board are allowed to claim their

XI. 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.

XII. 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.

XIII. Effectivity

This Memorandum Circular will be published in the Official Gazette and shall take effect and be fully implemented on January 1, 2017.

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

BOARD OF MARINE DECK OFFICERS

(SGD.) CAPT. JAIME D. AQUINO
Chairman

APPROVED:

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION

(SGD.) TERESITA R. MANZALA
Chairperson

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 109, No. 6, page 721 on February 11, 2013.