MARINA’s COP requirements for mandatory training courses with their corresponding certificates of proficiency are now fully implemented. This includes our tanker COP requirements after the 2010 Manila Amendments.
This is in accordance with Chapter V of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended. For the industry to be in compliance, MARINA issued requirements for COP on these updates.
In this article, we will be focusing on the basic and advanced courses for seaman serving in tanker ships.
COP Requirements for Tanker Crew
Here is the complete list of COPs and their application requirements for tanker personnel.
This is based on MARINA STCW Circular 2021-05. It includes the documents needed for issuance and renewal.
Be sure to have your MISMO account because you will upload these documents into their system. No account yet? visit their online appointment website and create one.
Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (BTOCTO)
This training does not require sea service to be issued a certificate of proficiency (COP). The seafarer must only take an approved course and present documentary evidence for issuance.
Documentary Requirements for Issuance
- Valid COP in BT (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Certificate of Training Completion for BTOCTCO taken or completed WITHIN TWO (2) years before the date of application.
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
- First page of Passport OR Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) OR any valid government issued ID bearing the Full Name and Birthdate as Proof of Identity. NOTE: Name reflected will be the same in the certificate to be issued.
- Valid Medical Certificate in PEME format (Encoded and uploaded by the medical facility).
For Revalidation
- Valid COP in BTOCTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Valid COP in Basic Training (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Approved seagoing service for a period of at least three (3) months in total within the last five (5) years prior to the date of revalidation onboard Oil or Chemical Tanker, OR
- If does not meet the required sea service, Training Completion of the Full Course.
- Medical Certificate in PEME format from an approved medical center (Encoded and uploaded by the medical facility).
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
Important:
Renewal of BTOCTCO COP only applies to Officers and Engineers. Ratings are not required to re-validate this certificate.
Basic Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operation (BTLGTCO)
The training course is 36 hours long. A sea service experience of at least three months in a Gas Tanker is required. If you have no sea service, an approved BTLGTCO training is needed for issuance.
Take note of the “OR” statement.
Documentary Requirements for Issuance
- Valid COP in BT (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- First page of Passport OR Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) OR any valid government issued ID bearing the Full Name and Birthdate as Proof of Identity. NOTE: Name reflected will be the same in the certificate to be issued.
- Valid Medical Certificate in PEME format (Encoded and uploaded by the medical facility).
- Certificate of Training Completion for BTLGTCO taken or completed WITHIN TWO (2) years before the date of application.
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
For Revalidation
- Valid COP in BTLGTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Valid COP in Basic Training (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Approved seagoing service for a period of at least three (3) months in total within the last five (5) years prior to the date of revalidation onboard Liquefied Gas Tanker.
- If does not meet the required sea service, Training Completion of the Full Course.
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
- Medical Certificate in PEME format
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
Important:
Renewal of BTLGTCO COP only applies to Officers and Engineers. Ratings are not required to re-validate this certificate.
Advanced Training for Oil Tanker Cargo Operation (ATOTCO)
The training course is 60 hours long. Before enrolling, you must have a sea service experience and an approved training.
Documentary Requirements for Issuance
- Valid COP in BTOCTCO
- Certificate of Training Completion for ATOTCO
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
- Certificate of Seagoing Service for a period of at least three (3) months of approved seagoing service on Oil Tankers.
- Attestation Letter stating that he/ she have an immediate responsibility in loading, discharging, handling of cargo, and care in transit (applicable for non-Officers).
- First page of Passport OR Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) OR any valid government issued ID bearing the Full Name and Birthdate as Proof of Identity. NOTE: Name reflected will be the same in the certificate to be issued.
- Valid Medical Certificate in PEME format.
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
For Revalidation
- Valid COP in ATOTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Valid BTOC COP (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Approved seagoing service for a period of at least three (3) months in total within the last five (5) years prior to the date of revalidation on Oil Tankers. (Must be encoded and uploaded by your manning agency).
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
- Medical Certificate in PEME format (Encoded and uploaded by the medical facility).
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
- Attestation Letter stating that he/ she have an immediate responsibility in loading, discharging, handling of cargo, and care in transit (applicable for non-Officers).
- If does not meet the required sea service, Training Completion of the Full Course.
Important:
Revalidation of ATOTCO COP is for Management Level only.
Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation (ATCTCO)
This is similar to ATOTCO only that the type of vessel is different. The training course is 60 hours long. Before enrolling, you must have a sea service experience and an approved training.
Documentary Requirements for Issuance
- Valid COP in BTOCTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Certificate of Training Completion in ATCTCO taken within two years before the date of application.
- Approved seagoing service for a period of at least three (3) months of approved seagoing service on Chemical Tankers. (Must be encoded and uploaded by your manning agency).
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
- Valid Medical Certificate in PEME format
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
- Attestation Letter stating that he/ she have an immediate responsibility in loading, discharging, handling of cargo, and care in transit (applicable for non-Officers).
- First page of Passport OR Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) OR any valid government issued ID bearing the Full Name and Birthdate as Proof of Identity. NOTE: Name reflected will be the same in the certificate to be issued.
For Revalidation
- Valid COP in ATCTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Valid BTOC COP (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Approved seagoing service for a period of at least three (3) months in total within the last five (5) years prior to the date of revalidation on Chemical Tankers. (Must be encoded and uploaded by your manning agency).
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
- Attestation Letter stating that he/ she have an immediate responsibility in loading, discharging, handling of cargo, and care in transit (applicable for non-Officers).
- If does not meet the required sea service, Training Completion of the Full Course.
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
- Medical Certificate in PEME format (Encoded and uploaded by the medical facility).
Important:
Revalidation of ATCTCO COP is for Management Level only.
Advanced Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operation (ATLGTCO)
This is similar to ATOTCO and ATCTCO only that the type of vessel is different. The training course is 60 hours long. Before enrolling, you must have a sea service experience and an approved training.
Documentary Requirements for Issuance
- Valid COP in BTLGTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Certificate of Training Completion in ATLGTCO taken within two years before the date of application.
- Certificate of Seagoing Service of at least 3 months on Liquefied Gas Tankers.
- Valid Medical Certificate in PEME format.
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
- Attestation Letter stating that he/ she have an immediate responsibility in loading, discharging, handling of cargo, and care in transit (applicable for non-Officers).
- First page of Passport OR Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) OR any valid government issued ID bearing the Full Name and Birthdate as Proof of Identity. NOTE: Name reflected will be the same in the certificate to be issued.
For Revalidation
- Valid COP in ATLGTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Valid COP in BTLGTCO (No need to upload. Will be verified in the system).
- Medical Certificate in PEME format (Encoded and uploaded by the medical facility).
- Approved seagoing service for a period of at least three (3) months in total within the last five (5) years prior to the date of revalidation on Gas Tankers. (Must be encoded and uploaded by your manning agency).
- SIRB/ SRB first page and pages with entries showing approved seagoing service indicated in the company sea service.
- Attestation Letter stating that he/ she have an immediate responsibility in loading, discharging, handling of cargo, and care in transit (applicable for non-Officers).
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
- If does not meet the required sea service, Training Completion of the Full Course.
Important:
Revalidation of ATLGT COP is for the Management Level only.
Replacement of COP
- Affidavit of Loss (if Lost); OR Affidavit of Discrepancy (for correction of details).
- One of the following:
- A.) Picture of the damaged original COP (if damaged);
- B.) Picture of original COP (for correction of First Name, Middle Name, Last Name or Date of Birth;
- C.) Marriage Contract for married woman applying for change of Last Name.
- First page of Passport OR Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) OR any valid government issued ID bearing the Full Name and Birthdate as Proof of Identity. NOTE: Name reflected will be the same in the certificate to be issued.
- Colored 2×2 inches picture in white polo with collar, white background and taken within the last six (6) months, NO SHOULDER BOARD and NO name tag.
Effective August 20, 2019, your old training certificate is now eligible for COP application as long as it is within 5 years of its issuance.
However, these COPs shall have a validity of five (5) years from the date of the completion of the corresponding training.
For example, if you have a BTOCTCO certificate taken last 2020 and apply for a COP in 2021, its validity would be in 2025- five years from the issuance of your BTOCTCO certificate.
Do you have any questions? Comment down below!
May the winds be in your favor.
A family man, he loves writing, reading, investing, and watching the golden hours while sailing.
Sir Magandang hapon po.
Nabasa ko po na no need to revalidate ang cop ng btoct kapag ratings.. Sayang po kc yung gunastos ko kahit hindi ko man magamit.
Bali gusto ko po ipa update yung expiration at gawing unlimited.Posible po ba at need parin po ba ng letter of discrepancy kahit expiration lang papabago ko at hindi tungkol sa personal info.
Yung ginawa ko dati sir since lumang cop pa ung btoc ko eh pumunta ako sa marina at pina revalidate diretso. Wala na akong sinabmit na ibang documents kundi yung cop lang ng btoc. Try mo nlang puntahan dun sir kung malapit ka kasi pag sa online, wala silang option dun for revalidation ng cop ng ratings. Or try mo rin mgfile dun sa mismo at mag email sa srnconcern.mail.marina.gov.ph. After that, subukan mo rin magpunta sa opisina nila.