MARINA’s Maritime Integrated Seafarers Management Online (MISMO) System is apparently encountering problems in a midst of overwhelming demand. But make no mistake, MARINA’s MISMO problems are a huge help for it is a basis for its further development.
If you ever encounter various Facebook pages and groups relating to the maritime community, you’ll notice in the comments the details of the problems users encountered.
In this blog, we’re going to talk about some of the common problems in the system. Unluckily, we’ve found out that there are only two solutions to all these problems. Find out below:
Common MISMO problems
1. No confirmation received regarding online verification
MARINA’s online disclosure states that online verification can be done in 24 hrs in a normal working day. However, there are some users airing concerns that they have not received anything from MARINA’s MISMO.
To think, this is a very convenient service since a user can find out what is wrong with his/her documents prior to the final evaluation.
2. No reply from email inquiry
An email address is set up primarily to cater SRN & MISMO concerns at [email protected]. Sadly, it is not able to accommodate 100% of the users’ concern. Users complain that they wait close to a week or more before they get an answer.
Worse is, they don’t get a reply. Ever.
RELATED: Sync your SCS Account with MISMO Account with this easy step
3. Some MISMO functions are not accessible
There are MISMO functions that are not accessible to the end user. Certification function in the Select Transaction tab is not accessible even though MARINA says that revalidation can be done via MISMO.
There are some users that the profile is not yet 100% so to say.
4. SRN does not appear after MISMO registration
One of the most important purpose of MISMO registration is the generation of Seafarer’s Registration Number (SRN). If a seafarer don’t have this, then he/she cannot transact with MARINA.
After MISMO registration, a user shall have a system-generated SRN. This is not the case for some as its just appear as a normal white blank screen.
This creates inconvenience to those who want to set an appointment or schedule an exam or COP certification. Since they don’t have SRN, they cannot access MARINA’s services at all.
5. Unable to Log in at MISMO
Experience first hand, I was unable to log in to the system for quite sometime (that’s why i was unable to update screenshots in other pages). I understand that there is a continuous migration from SCS to MISMO. Luckily, after countless tries, i finally logged in to my profile.
I am sure there are users also that cannot log in to their profile. Same as I did, you can try and try. However, we might not have the same urgency as I don’t have to transact yet with MARINA. There are some users who needs to transact to MARINA but can’t schedule anything. Imagine how frustrating that is.
6. No one is replying from the screen chat
It feels like there is no one on the other side of their chat service.
I had tried it. It did reply after an hour and apparently, caters to much important queries. I ask on how to view exam requirements. They asked in response if I will take the theoretical examination. I said no, and then there is no reply anymore.
7. Unable to transact to MISMO
This is probably one of the worst. The system is created primarily to transact with MISMO and yet you encounter this. “Oops something went wrong. Please contact web admin”.
8. No SRN yet a user has SRN
There can only be one SRN for every Filipino seafarer. If you have SRN already, the problem with your account is that your SCS and MISMO account is not yet synced. Once synchronized, you can access MIMSO via your SCS credentials.
Your SRN will appear at your profile.
RELATED: SCS to discontinue to give way for full MISMO implementation
Solution to all these problems?
It is quite impossible to solve all these problems all at once. Its obvious that MARINA lacks manpower to address this. Even though they have delegated various STCW functions to its regional offices, the IT department cannot delegate this task to them.
MARINA’s IT backend cater more than a thousand queries each day not counting queries that has been left unsolved.
The solution is by far part of the problem, email. With only one email address dedicated to cater all concerns, this inbox is red hot all day long.
If you encounter a problem:
If there is any concern or problem encountered in creating a MISMO account, do not hesitate to contact: [email protected]
If we are to compare MISMO to a human, it is still an infant. MISMO was born around last quarter of 2018.
I hope MARINA’s IT team will develop this system far more than it is today.
If only there are no backlogs, there are no glitch, there are no inconvenience to end users. If only all users can be catered, then this system would have been perfect.
However, knowing that no system is ever perfect, the second solution come into play.
That is patience from the end user. Unluckily for MARINA, the seafarers who are using this system has little to no patience. They have been awfully stressed onboard and yet, here, they are under stress again.
Hoping for smooth seas ahead…
We are hoping that as time pass by, improvements to the MARINA’s MISMO system can be felt. There are plenty of room for improvement.
Collecting data from complaints and recommendations from the end user will surely help the improvement of the system.
It is important that we, the end users continuously send problems or glitches encountered in the system. Even with no response, it is vital for their part to know.
Finally, all we can do is wait and see. The system is incredibly helpful and convenient if all functions are done right and well. For now, it is a rough ride.