Simple. It can cost you your next employment. In this age of tighter-than-belt regulations, a seafarer should not trust the status his documents to anyone rather than himself. That is why keeping all seafaring documents complete and up to date should be a top priority.
Not even your crewing staff can do this for you. Yeah, sometimes they do tell you what to renew, what courses to take, etc. However, it is still your primary responsibility to keep in check all your documents.
Starting out?
If you are starting out, it is easy to at least monitor all your documents since there is not much to look for. Be careful though, as you proceed later in your career, you may forget all those courses you had, where you took it and when.
Bear in mind, almost all transactions are online now. Keeping a digital format of your documents or certificates can be advantageous.
As MARINA moves into a more digital transaction, it will be easier for you to upload, verify and submit updated documents if you have it in digital format.
In addition to that, keeping your seafaring documents complete and up to date is a crewing officers’ gem. Knowing that you keep a tract on all your documents is a testament to your commitment to your employment. Besides, when you don’t give them headache, you’re on top of their list.
RELATED: It is now possible to process your COP Revalidation in MARINA Regional Offices
Seafaring documents to keep in check
What are some of the most important seafaring documents that you should check regularly?
We find this to be the most important documents to be checked and renewed ASAP once nearing expiry dates:
Government Related
– Philippine Passport – 10 yearly
– Seamans Book or SIRB – 10 yearly
-US Visa – 5 yearly
-Other Visas – Per Agency’s advise
STCW Mandated
-Refresher courses – 5 yearly for Safety refresher courses
-Certificate of Proficiency – 5 yearly for (BT, PSCRB, AFF, PFRB, BTOC, ATCT, ATOT, ATLGT)
-Cerfiticate of Competency / Certificate of Endorsement – 5 yearly
COMPANY Requirement
-In house training – Per Agency’s advise (ISM, ISPS, Anti-Piracy, etc.)
-CBT (Computer Based Training) – 36 months
-Employment Seminars including PDOS – Per Agency’s advise
There are plenty of seafarers who got confused on what courses to take, etc. The trick there is to look up the course requirement for the certificate that you need to get or renewed.
For example, you need to revalidate your BT COP since its already due its 5 yeat validity. Now, look at what BT COP revalidation requirements are:
It needs just the BT refresher course. Thats it. Then complete all other requirements, schedule your COP revalidation at select MARINA Offices, viola! You’re done.
Don’t trust other people to do it…
It is your duty to things such as these. In case you don’t track your documents, then be prepared for a surprise.
Keep in mind that our time is limited while on land.. So take the initiative to complete all certificates needed as soon as possible for your timely departure.