Pursuant to Executive Order No. 125 as amended by Executive Order No. 125-A, Section 14 Item (1), the following guidelines for accreditation of maritime surveying companies/entities for purposes of vessel registration are hereby promulgated, in accordance with the Loadlines and SOLAS Conventions.

I
Coverage

These guidelines shall apply to all Maritime surveying companies/entities, which, under the supervision of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), shall conduct loadline calculation and stability calculation/inclining experiment, the certificates to be issued thereby of which shall be valid for purposes of registration of vessels for domestic use only.

Internationally recognized classification societies shall not be required accreditation under this Circular and the certificates issued by them shall be valid for purposes of registration of vessels both for domestic or overseas use.

II
Qualification Requirements

The marine surveying company entity must have a licensed Naval Architect and Marine Engineer (NAME) who will conduct the loadlining calculation and stability calculation/inclining experiment. The approving/issuing authority of these maritime surveying companies/entities must also be a licensed NAME.

III
Documentary Requirements

i. SEC Registration Certificate (if corporation and partnership.

ii. DTI Registration Certificate (if single proprietor).

iii. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws (if corporation)/Articles of Partnership (if partnership).

iv. Name(s) of all marine surveyors and their bio-data

v. Name(s) of the approving/issuing authority.

IV
Procedure for Accreditation

i. The applicant shall file with the MARINA an application in writing duly supported by the above-mentioned documentary requirements.

ii. Incomplete documentary requirements shall not be accepted. Mailed applications with incomplete documentary requirements shall be immediately returned to applicant.

iii. The Certificate of Accreditation shall be issued upon fulfillments of the qualification and documentation requirements.

iv. Companies/Entities previously registered by MARINA under MC 9 must be apply for accreditation under this Circular for purposes of vessel registration. Those accredited by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shall be required to be accredited here under upon expiration of their current accreditation.

V
Validity of Certificate

The Certificate of Accreditation shall be valid for a period of three (3) years. Said certificate can not be transferred or alienated in whatever manner and its use by another shall not be allowed.

VI
Submission of Reports and Other Documents

The MARINA-accredited surveying company/entity under this Circular shall submit the following reports and/or documents as indicated below:

i. Updated listings of marine surveyors (if any) - within 15 days from occurrence

ii. Replacement of approving/issuing authority (if any) - within 15 days from replacement date

iii. Annual Accomplishment Report - within the first quarter of the following year.

The foregoing reports and/or documents shall be either the original or true copies of the original or true copies of the original duly attested by an authorized representative of the company/entity.

VII
Withdrawal/Suspension of Operation

Whenever the company/entity decides to withdraw or suspend its operation, prior written thereof must be sent to the MARINA. Withdrawal from its operation shall automatically cancel the accreditation certificate which shall be turned over to the MARINA. A new accreditation shall be secured from the MARINA by a previously withdrawn company/entity prior to the resumption of its operation.

VII
Sanctions/Penalties

The MARINA may not renew or may cancel the accreditation of the company/entity for the following grounds:

i. Failure to maintain the qualifications for accreditation as required by the MARINA.

ii. Violation/Non-compliance with the Revised Philippine Merchant, Marine Rules and Regulations (RPMMRR).

iii. Violation of Laws and MARINA rules and regulations, including the provisions of this Circular.

In addition to the abovestated sanction, the marine surveying company/entity shall be fined not more than TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND (P25,000) PESOS.

IX
Repealing Clause

All issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Memorandum Circular are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

X
Publication and Effectivity

This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication once in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Adopted:

(SGD.) PACIENCIO M. BALBON, JR.
Administrator