As the lead agency in the implementation of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, in the Philippines, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) hereby provides as follows:

1.    Effective 01 February 1997, seafarers who shall be employed for the first time on board seagoing ships shall be required to present Certificates of satisfactory completion for the Basic Safety Courses such as Basic Training in Medical Emergency, Personal Survival, Basic Firefighting and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility Course.

2.    Seafarers whose training for the four courses have been conducted by one training center shall present a training certificate consolidating the four courses and bearing the respective standard course titles, training duration in hours and applicable references to the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended.

3.    Seafarers, the four basic safety training courses of which were taken from different training centers shall present separate certificates for each.

4.    Seafarers who have undergone the basic safety training requirements under the 1978 STCW Convention prior to 01 February 1997 may not be required to undergo training for Personal Safety and Social Responsibility.

5.    Training certificates issued by accredited maritime training centers in accordance with the provisions of the 1978 STCW Convention shall be recognized until 2002 unless the holders of those certificates have not boarded any vessel for at least a year within five (5) years from the date of issuance of certificate.

This supersedes MARINA STCW Advisory No. 4, dated 17 October 1997.


Adopted: 13 Nov. 1997