For more than a decade, the country’s effort to rectify serious non-conformities found since 2006 has not been successful. MARINA’s STCW Office since then has developed plans of action on how to resolve those findings. Now, what will happen if MARINA’s STCW Office can’t comply with EMSA?
First, how did we get here?
The first EMSA audit took place in 2006. Six more additional audits were conducted since to conclude that the Philippines is not yet fully compliant.
However, ‘significant progress’ were recognized by EU and a vote for Philippines recognition was made. Hence, avoiding our certificates not being recognized by the EU.
One of the significant progress was the establishment of MARINA as the single maritime administration responsible for the country’s implementation of various maritime conventions.
Fast forward to date, the Philippines’ Maritime Education, Training and Certification’s latest inspection was on March 13-23, 2017. The EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) inspection report and the MARINA’s Voluntary Corrective Action Plan (VCAP) were submitted to EC (European Commission).
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On January 24, 2018, MARINA got a response from EC. It states the areas which the country needs attention to or further improve to meet the STCW requirements.
Hence, the dates were set:
There were not much buzz on April 2018 since it was not time for judgment. It was submission of corrective action plans that EMSA pointed out. But the second date, MARINA’s STCW Office should provide evidences that the corrective actions has been implemented.
Before we arrive from EMSA’s verdict, the new MARINA Administrator Rey Guerrero seeks help to various members of the EU. There are plenty occasion that he did, but the latest was on Sept. 18, 2018.
Let’s take a look at this tweets:
There have been plenty of actions implemented by MARINA including joint monitoring of maritime schools with CHED. Monitoring of training centers including certification to various STCW conventions. All these are part of the agency’s effort to comply.
Accounting all has been done and the worst we expect happens, what will happen to our certificates not being recognized by EU?
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How to replace Filipino seafarers if MARINA’s STCW Office can’t comply with EMSA?
There are buzz that if EU will not recognize Filipino seafarers’ certificates, other flag states will follow. But remember, Filipino seafarers account almost 30% of world’s seafarers. Seems impossible to do right? However, many believe that it can be done.
We’ll look at this perspective, per Joost Mes, Director at Avior Marine Inc and Seatrade Owners Representative.
Simply put into place, there will be a possibility of transition. I believe that major European stakeholders will make this impact minimal to them if this transitional method takes place.
If MARINA’s STCW Office can’t comply with EMSA, then we don’t have any choice but to seek another avenue for living.
Also, other seafaring supplier nations are on the rise. They can potentially fill the Philippines’ supply to the world. They can replace us with numbers but certainly not the quality!