Seafarers Must Retrain/Refresh/Update their BT/BST Upon Revalidation.

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The STCW Advisory 2015-20 was implemented last July 10 which states the rules and regulations upon revalidating Basic Training(BT)/Basic Safety Training(BST). This is for the implementation of STCW 2010 Manila Amendments by Jan. 01, 2017. Below is the simplified version of the Advisory.


-Seafarers with Certificate of Proficiency(COP) on BST but without sea service for at least 12 months in the past 5 years or 3 months in the past 6 months must take the full BT course. The counting of the date starts at the day when you revalidate your COP


-Seafarers with BST but without COP must take the full BT course.

-Seafarers with COP on BST and with the sea service required stated at the first rule must take the Basic Training Updating(BTU) and Basic Training Refresher(BTR) only.


-Seafarers who will revalidate their Basic Training with the required sea service as stated in the first rule shall take BTR only.

You may read the full  STCW Advisory 2015-20 here.

On the other hand, the President of the United Filipino Seafarers Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez is inviting all Filipino Seafarers to join the rally in front of MARINA over this advisory.

What are your thoughts? Is it fair to retrain/refresh or update just because someone didn't get onboard in the past 6 months? How about those who are planning for a long vacation at land? Does the administration want us at sea forever? Share yours below.