MARINA DECK & ENGINE Ratings COP Revised Memo Circular 2023 (Released 2024) | Filipino Seaman Seafarers Guide

ORIENTATION ON THE APPROVED REVISED MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS IN THE ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF DECK AND ENGINE RATINGS. The STCW Office of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) invited ship manning representatives to the virtual orientation on the Memorandum Circulars for the Deck and Engine Ratings which were approved by the MARINA Board last 14 December 2023. The said orientation was held last 22 December 2023 at 09:30 AM. 

The signed Memorandum Circular for the Marine Deck and Engine Ratings is now available for your reference and information.

You can access the circulars via the following link, which has been posted on the stcw.marina.gov.ph website:

Memorandum Circular-No.-SC-2023-03.pdf (Deck Ratings)

Annex A

Annex B

Memorandum Circular-No.-SC-2023-04.pdf (Engine Ratings)

Annex A

Annex B

Annex C

Revised Mandatory Minimum Requirements for the Assessment of Competence and Certification of Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW) and Ratings as Able Seafarer Deck Under Regulations II/4 and II/5, respectively, of the STCW Convention, as amended.

Revised Mandatory Minimum Requirements for the Assessment of Competence and Certification of Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW) and Ratings as Able Seafarer Engine in a Manned Engine-Room or Designated to Perform Duties in a Periodically Unmanned Engine-Room, and Electro-Technical Ratings Under Regulations III/4, III/5 and III/7, respectivly, of the STCW Convention, 1987, as amended.

To replace previous MARINA Memo Circular: Revise mandatory minimum requirements for Certification of Ratings as Able Seafarer Deck (AB Deck) under regulation II/5 of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended. Revised mandatory minimum requirements for the Certification of Ratings as Able Seafarer Engine (AB Engine) under Regulation III/5 of the STCW Convention, 1978, as Amended. 

A MARINA Certificate of Proficiency (COP) is a certificate that shows a seafarer has met the requirements for training, competencies, or seagoing service. COPs are different from certificates of competency.

Chapters:

0:00 Objectives & Rationale

1:46 Features, Coverage & General Provisions of the Circular

7:49 Deck Ratings - Regulation II/4 Requirements & Pathways

11:44 Deck Ratings - Regulation II/5 Requirements & Pathways

15:59 Engine Ratings Regulation III/4 Requirements & Pathways

19:03 Engine Ratings Regulation III/5 Requirements & Pathways

23:00 Regulation III/7 Electro-Technical Ratings Requirements & Pathways

25:44 Who is Qualified to Undertake the OBRTE

27:01 Registration, Issuance & Validation of OBRTE for Electro-Technical Ratings

30:25 Specific Provisions & Procedures

33:57 Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) & OBRTE

IMPLEMENTATION OF ONBOARD RECORD OF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (OBRTE) ORIENTATION 

The STCW Office of the Maritime Industry Authority expresses its sincere gratitude for your invaluable contributions to the approval process of Memorandum Circular Nos. SC-2023-03 and SC-2023-04 which pertain to the minimum requirements for the assessment of competence and certification of our seafarers at the support level. Your technical expertise and insights have played a pivotal role in shaping these policies for the betterment of our maritime industry.

One significant aspect of MC No. SC-2023-04 is the implementation of the Onboard Record of Training and Experience (OBRTE) for Electro-Technical Ratings. Seafarer- applicants who opt to utilize the OBRTE shall be required to undergo mandatory orientation prior to issuance of the Control Number. This orientation is designed to provide crucial information and guidelines before an applicant goes onboard to ensure smooth transition and implementation.

In relation thereto, and to optimize efficiency and accommodate varying schedules, please be informed that we have orientations every Monday at 09:00 AM and 02:00 PM, effective from 03 March 2024. Applicants with complete documentary requirements, as provided in MC No. SC-2023-04, are required to proceed to the Examination and Assessment Division (EAD), STCW Office for registration purposes. Additional schedules may be arranged based on the volume of applicants. In cases where your company endorses more than 15 seafarers, a special orientation will be arranged.

SAMUEL L. BATALLA
Executive Director
STCW Office
MARINA Building
20th Street corner Bonifacio Drive
1018 Port Area (South), Manila
Tel. Nos: (632) 8523-9078/ 8526-0971
Fax No: (632) 8524-2895
Website: www.marina.gov.ph