MARINA now allows COC revalidation for officers who didn't use their license

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Back in 2014, confusion is all over the Filipino seafarers regarding the licensure examination. Rumors spread that when someone didn't use his/her Certificate of Competency(COC) before 2017, he/she will be required to retake the examination and practical assessment from the first part to qualify for COC revalidation.

This sparks extreme anger among the seafarers which led to several rallies not to mention the everyday cursing at social medias they throw at MARINA because of the hardships they felt from their day to day transactions with the latter.

Good news is two newly approved circulars have enlightened the fate of the seafarers whose COCs are in danger. Firstly, STCW Circular No. 2016-02 which was approved on March 10, 2016, states that passing an "approved test" is one way of revalidating ones COC if it falls under the unused category.

MARINA defines "approved test" as an assessment prescribed by them as one of the means of establishing continued professional competence. Probably they will make a practical assessment that seafarers need to undergo.

The second way of revalidation is indicated at STCW Circular No. 2016-03 which was also approved the same date as the previous circular mentioned. An "approved training course" will be the alternative for seafarers who fails to utilize their COCs.

This "approved training course" will be OIC Updating Course Part A for operational level officers. You may find the List of Authorized Training Centers to offer OIC Updating Course here.

For management level officers an updating course as prescribed by MARINA is the "approved training course" required upon revalidation of COC. If you ask what updating course is it, nobody knows as of today.