Medical Certificate Not a Requirement Anymore for COP/NAC

Screenshot from STCW Office Facebook Page

Good news from our beloved administration!(LOL) Yes you're not mistaken it's a good one aside from the extension of submission of requirements for OIC exam such as the daily journal or the extension of upgrading of COC from C/M to Master and 2/E to C/E.


Well, this one will be a permanent less burden for seafarers(I hope it stays this way). Let's cut to the chase.

As per STCW Advisory 2015-17,

"With reference to STCW Circular 2014-06 "Rules for the Issuance and Revalidation of Certificates of Proficiency Under the Relevant Provisions  of Chapters II, III, V and VI of Manila Amendments to the International Convention of Standards of Traning, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers(STCW) 1978, " the submission of medical certificate as one of the documentary requirements under Annexes A and B for the processing of Certificates of Proficiency under Chapter II, III, V and VI of the STCW Convention shall no longer be required.


For the revalidation of Certificate of Competency(COC) however, the required submission of a medical certificate is still enforced.

For guidance and strict compliance.
This STCW Advisory shall take effect immediately on the day of its posting.
Manila, Philippines, 18 may 2015"


Anyone who knows about the seafaring industry knows that before we get hired or get onboard, there are a lot of trainings we need to undergo. After that, we need it to have it COP/NAC to Maritime Industry Authority(MARINA).

Before you can process the COP/NAC you need a medical certificate which cost us time, money and energy from conditioning our body up to the time of medical examination.

To also mention, the food and transportation that will cost us. Back and forth from applying up to the releasing of the certificate.

But now all seafarers may enjoy this little less burden as long as the administration doesn't revise this advisory.