If you're someone who loves to travel, explore new places, and get paid while doing it, becoming a seafarer might be the perfect career choice for you. Working at sea offers a unique opportunity to see the world while earning a living. But, how do you become a...
The most efficient way to pursue a career at sea and become a seaman is to take a maritime course in any accredited maritime schools in the country. However, not all schools and universities are equal. They have to be approved by MARINA and CHED before they can offer...
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) posted new policies for the filing of applications and rapid processing of Certificate of Competency (COC) and Certificate of Proficiency (COP). In their latest guideline which came out last October 10, 2022, Advisory 2022-54...
A new inspection regime, called SIRE 2.0, will be served to all tanker vessels in the 4th quarter of 2022. According to OCIMF, this modern approach to vetting inspection will have significant improvements compared to the current version of SIRE. But we still don't...
Thousands of seafarers may have to wait as early as December before they can get an appointment on their seaman's book renewal application while shipping companies are on a hiring spree for people to man their ships. CF Sharp's legal counsel, Atty. Carmela Magpantay...
The Maritime Industry Authority headed by Atty. Hernani Fabia sternly considers reviving the much controversial Management Level Course for Filipino Officers. According to the new Administrator, there was a finding by the Independent Evaluators that there is no...
Writing letter requests is one of the many formalities seafarers will eventually face. For one, these letters can be used to put into black and white that which was asked verbally. The most common on board are Repatriation letters, Extension letters, and Early...
The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is now part of our working life. If you are employed especially abroad, or wanting to travel outside the country, expect to have this kind of document. ICVP is commonly known as Yellow Card during our...
An International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) is a document that contains the record of your vaccination history. On a positive note, member states of the World Health Organization recognizes this certificate. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, seafarers and OFWs...
Just like the previous version, some of our online accounts are also suffering from DMW eReg problems. From forgotten passwords, account activation, to updating our eRegistration details, this has always been the case. There will no longer be POEA in the coming...
The DMW eRegistration Account is the newest version of digital platform for migrant workers. Seafarers, OFWs and those planning to work abroad are required to register an account in this system. But before we dive into that, let us first take a look at some...
Today, processing your Certificate of Proficiency and Competency (COP/ COC) is easy. You only need to complete the requirements in your MISMO account. Everything is done online. If you compare it more than seven years ago, everything in MARINA was a disaster. Imagine...
The Master, as a shipboard manager, is in overall command of the vessel and personnel on board. Being the highest ranking person, his duties and responsibilities cover the whole ship. Technically speaking, he is the "owner’s representative". He is responsible to the...
After giving zero payments for first time SRB applicant and 50% discount for renewals last January 01, 2022, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has made another move that will greatly reduce the burdens of our seafarers. Last February 4, 2022, MARINA released...
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) thru the efforts of DoTr secretary Arthur Tugade provided a FREE SEAMAN'S BOOK application for first time seafarers. Aside from that, regular mariners are entitled for a 50% discount whenever they renew their seaman’s book...
Seafarers and OFWs are modern day heroes. Our remittances help not only our family but country as well. Thus, our government initiates different programs like cash assistance, financial projects, accidents and disabilities and welfare to help them in many ways. Either...
As we are all aware today, quarantine guidelines for returning OFWs and seafarers are lighter compared to a few months ago. Here is my previous post about crew change in the middle of pandemic last year. The emergence of “Red, Yellow and Green Countries” added ray of...
Clock changes are part of seaman’s life. The first time I heard about the ship’s time being retarded was, well, a bit confusing. How could time be retarded when it only ticks and doesn’t think? Then I learned that it will be moved backwards to comply with the Daylight...
Recognizing the importance of seafarers in keeping the global economy running, some European ports are now offering free Covid-19 vaccine to seafarers. The first COVID vaccine in the European Union started in Belgium last June 1. Around 2,200 seamen got their jabs in...
With their latest advisory, the Maritime Industry Authority( MARINA) further extends the validity of STCW Certificates up to December 2021 or December 2022. This could be a surprise for you but let’s dissect what the latest MARINA Advisory No. 2021-29 is telling us....
Our government manages a master list of POEA accredited manning agencies. It's all made available online and free to access. Illegal recruiters often prey on unsuspecting seafarers. Thus, knowing if an agency is well registered in the POEA database is the first step...
The Maritime Industry Authority launches its academic arm, the MARINA Training Institute or MarTI, which aims to improve, modernize and streamline the country’s maritime education and training systems and reach its full potential. MarTi is located in a four-storey...
Training centers in Visayas and Mindanao regions prove to be helpful for seafarers since majority lives in provinces. However, there are only a few training centers in Manila which are able to build branches in those areas. This could be due to the fact that many...
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) adapted its training requirements for maritime institutions to include blended learning or hybrid learning. As I wrote on my other article, hybrid learning is a combination of online learning...
SSS Salary Loan is a program of our Social Security System allowing members to borrow a portion of their contribution for a short term cash need. It is the most availed loan program of the SSS. Between January 2019 to August 2019, SSS released more than Php26.33...
Metro Manila is still the epicenter of jobs in our country. As the government slowly reopens the capital, many of us are planning to go back to the Metro and return to the jobs we knew. However, it's not like we used to be. Getting out of the province is not as easy...
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