Seafarers are meticulous when it comes to the validity of their certificates. It is because their livelihood depends on it. Each one of us should maximize the MARINA COP validity and all other certificates we have.
This is particularly important because a seafarer will invest significant time, money and effort to get this done. That also means time away from their families. So to minimize that, we’ll showcase in this blog the tips on how to maximize the validity of your MARINA COP.
1. Get COP within 6 months after training completion
It is of best practice that you should apply for COP of your training right after you completed it. But for some reason, others cannot do this. However, do not let 6 months pass and do nothing.
It will save you money and time if you file and get your COP within 6 months.
This scenario maximizes the validity of COP for the exact 5 years.
2. Avoid getting COP after 6 months after training completion
This scenario does not maximize at all the 5-year validity of COP. It is because the expiry of the COP will be based on the training completion date.
If you get your COP after a year of your training, then you lost 1 year of that. See this example for your reference:
In most cases, a seafarer will board the ship first before processing their COP. As much as possible, avoid this. If unavoidable, approach your liason officer to process on your behalf.
3. Don’t let old COP expire, take Refresher courses then get COP immediately
Remember this: Do not let your COP expire. That is important. Way before your COP expires, take refresher courses. And without delay, get COP right away or if not possible, get it within 6 months.
If you get COP within 6 months and your COP is still valid, see this:
On the other hand, if you get COP after 6 months and your old COP is still valid, apply for COP asap when time permits. Then, your COP expiry date will be the date of your training completion.
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4. Taking Refresher and get new COP early will not help
You read that right, if you take refresher courses early and get COP, you’re not going to maximize its 5 year validity. If you get COP more than 6 months before its expiry date, then the basis of the new COP expiry date is the date of your training completion.
Thus, your old COP validity will overlap with your newly issued COP. And for that reason, target the training completion date and the COP issuance date to be within 6 months before the old COP expires.
5. COP Application will not be accepted if…
Your COP application will not be accepted if you apply it 3 or more years after your training completion date.
Bottomline…
The thought of having to maximize these validity dates are extremely important. This happens every 5 years so it is also important to set aside a budget for this.
You want to delay these refresher courses as possible so that your time will be to the people who matters the most.