1. What are the three levels of responsibilities the way of classifying shipboard tasks by functions?

The levels of responsibility are: management level (applies to senior officers); operational level (applies to
junior officers); and support level (applies to ratings forming part of a navigational or engine watch). Function
means a group of tasks, duties and responsibilities, as specified in the STCW Code, necessary for ship
operation, safety of life at sea or protection of the marine environment. This term is important because the
standards of competence set out in the remaining chapters are based on seven functional areas at three levels of
responsibility.
Management level means the level of responsibility associated with serving as master, chief mate, chief
engineer officer or second engineer officer on board a seagoing ship, and ensuring that all functions within the
designated area of responsibility are properly performed.
Operational level means the level of responsibility associated with serving as officer in charge of a navigational
or engineering watch or as designated duty engineer for periodically unmanned machinery spaces or as radio
operator on board a seagoing ship, and maintaining direct control over the performance of all functions within
the designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and under the direction of an
individual serving in the management level for that area of responsibility.
Support level means the level of responsibility associated with performing assigned tasks, duties or
responsibilities on board a seagoing ship under the direction of an individual serving in the operational or
management level.

2. What are ships to be boarded to qualify as valid sea service?

For purposes of licensure, certification and revalidation, only commercial seagoing ships (e.g. MV/MT) will
qualify for a sea service. Fishing vessels, war ships, patrol boats are not acceptable. MARINA has no prescribed
format for sea service. A company issued certificate is acceptable, indicating the date of embarkation and
disembarkation, as reflected in the seafarer’s seaman’s book. MARINA will likewise require a photocopy of
seaman’s book’s pages with entries. If necessary, MARINA may require additional documents to substantiate
the Certificate issued by the company, such as but not limited to crew list and/or vessel profile. For purposes of
revalidation of Certificate of Proficiency or Certificate of Competency, the sea service requirement is at least 12
months within the last 5 years OR 3 months in the last 6 months immediately upon revalidating. For purposes of
licensure exam under MARINA: 36 months as rating for Operational Level (OIC) exams, 12 months as OIC for
Chief Mate / Second Engineer and 36 months as OIC for Master / Chief Engineer. For purposes of upgrading to
master/chief engineer without undergoing theoretical exams and practical assessment: 24 months as CM/2E.
Seafarers performing functions considered to be equivalent to approved sea going service are required to
provide documentary evidence of service. A one year service ashore in maritime industry is equated into six
months of sea going service.
3. What do I need to know about licensure exams?

A candidate may choose how many competencies he/she will take in one sitting. The lists of competencies
annexed are STCW Circular No. 2014 – 08 (OIC – NW) and STCW Circular No. 2014 – 09 (OIC-EW) means
a deck officer/ engine officer in the operational level who has direct control over the performance of all
functions within the designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and under the
direction of the master/chief engineer or chief mate/second engineer for that responsibility. Next is STCW
Circular No. 2014 – 10 (Chief Mate) which covers to all candidates for certification as Chief Mate (CM) on
ships of 500 gross tonnage or more. Then STCW Circular No. 2014 – 11 (Second Engineer) is a circular that
covers to all candidates for certification as Second Engineer Officer (2E) on ships of 750 kW propulsion power
or more. The STCW Circular No. 2014 – 12 (Master) has an objective to prescribe standards and procedures in
full compliance with the requirements of STCW Chapter II for mandatory minimum requirement for
examination, assessment and certification of Master (MM) on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more.
And STCW Circular No. 2014 – 13 (Chief Engineer) which has an objective to streamline the examination,
assessment, licensing and certification processes by ensuring that all candidates for Chief Engineer Officer (CE)
are adequately equipped and are in full compliance with the requirements of STCW, as amended.

4. Is there an expiry of training on ARPA and ECDIS?

At the present time, there is no expiration date on ARPA and ECDIS. Training of ARPA and ECIDS is relevant.
As a matter of fact, the lack of training of the master and officers in ARPA operation is very often one of the
significant factors pointed out during investigations of certain accidents. In a situation to compensate for the
lack of training of a future officer due to some reasons. The ARPA course will offer a suitable and adequate
means for the acquisition of new knowledge and skills which will contribute to improve safety standards and
efficiency on the job. ECDIS training aims to ensure that navigators can use and understand ECDIS in the
context of navigation and can demonstrate all competencies contained in and implied by STCW 2010. Such
training should ensure that the navigator learns to use ECDIS and can apply it in all aspects of navigation,
including the knowledge, understanding and proficiency to transfer that skill to the particular ECDIS systems
actually encountered on board, prior to taking over navigational duties. All watchkeeping officers must be
competent in the use of the onboard ECDIS prior to taking charge of a navigational watch. An implicit element
of continual competence is the ability to demonstrate that competence.

5. What are the required trainings for the issuance of Certificate of Proficiency (COP) for NEW SEAFARERS
in accordance with the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention?
The required trainings are Basic Training, Seafarer's with Designated Security Duties (SDSD) and Ship Security
Awareness (SSA)for all Seafarers. Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB), Proficiency in
Fast Rescue Boats (PFRB) and Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) for Management Level and Operational Level
Officers. Medical First Aid (MeFA) for Operational Level Officers. Medical Care (MeCa), Ship Security
Officer (SSO) Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (ATCTCO) and Advanced Training
for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations (ATLGTCO), Crisis Management and Human Behavior and
Passenger Safety, Cargo Safety and Hull Integrity for Management Level Officers. Rating Forming Part of a
Navigational Watch and Able Seafarer Deck for Deck Ratings. Rating Forming Part of a Watch in a manned
engine=room of designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room and Able Seafarer
Engine for Engine Ratings. Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations, Basic Training for
Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations for Operational Level Officers and Support Level. Advanced Training
for Oil Tanker Cargo Operations for Management Level Officer with Immediate Responsibility. Electro
Technical Rating for Electrician. Crowd Manafement for Management Level, Operational Level Officers and
any person designated to assist passengers in emergency situation. Safety training for personnel providing direct
service to passengers spaces for Personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces on board
passenger ships.
6. What are the required trainings for the issuance of Certificate of Proficiency (COP) for EXISTING
SEAFARERS in accordance with the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention?
7. What is ESLP?
It is a 2-year curricula also called a Rating’s Program. Graduates of ESLP – Marine Deck is prepared as
Ordinary Seaman, Able-bodied Seaman, Boatswain, or any similar occupation in the Deck Department as
Rating. Graduates of ESLP – Marine Engineering is for occupation as Wiper, Oiler, Motorman, Fitter or any
similar occupation in the Engine Department as Rating. Enhanced Support Level Programs (ESLP) refers to
programs that are especially designed to take into consideration the value added to the training of active Filipino
seafarers —i.e. their exposure to general education and technical courses at the college level—in addition to
compliance with the STCW requirements for certification as Ratings Forming Part of a Watch and Ratings as
Able Seafarer. The programs aim to enhance the competitiveness of Filipino seafarers in the international
maritime industry as they perform support level functions and responsibilities at the deck and engine
departments of seagoing ships. For the deck department, the program shall be called the Enhanced Support
Level Program for Marine Deck (ESLPMD) and Enhanced Support Level Program for Marine Engineering
(ESLPME) for the engine department.
The title of the enhanced support level programs covered herein shall be Enhanced Support-Level Program for
Marine Deck (ESLPMD) and Enhanced Support-Level Program for Marine Engineering (ESLPME),
respectively.
8. Is the ESLP a ladderized program that leads to the Officer’s Program or BS MT or BS MarE?
No, it is not a ladderized program. But general education subjects are accredited for Bachelor’s degree program.
The ESLP option is not a ladderized educational program. When one takes it, he is a rating for life... unless he
studies a BS program. But without sponsors, he is back to square one. Clearly, there must be program fusions.
Rating is really a vocational job fitted on the ESLP which is not a ladderized program. To assist a rating in his
dream to be an officer, ESLP should be ladderized so he could proceed towards a degree course. But a program
fusion reverts ESLP to TESDA which could make CHEd ballistics.

The ESLP alternative is actually a business-saver so the school may not totally close. But some may be mortally
wounded on its prestige or pulling power to get students. Some may be debilitated with loans and investment
sunk on facilities unused like million-peso simulators. On the other equation is the student who really want to
be an officer. There are excellent students who just lack sponsoring companies for the shipboard training
program. Traditionally, we have presumed schools to be qualified unless proven otherwise; almost in the vein of
the Constitutional right of innocence until proven guilty.

9. Do I need to finish senior high school to qualify for ESLP?

No, ESLP only requires Junior High School or Grade 10. The Enhanced Support Level Program (ESLP) are
implemented for the certification of the seafarers as Ratings. Marina released this training program to give more
opportunities to those students who failed the board exam. Students who failed the board exam should undergo
process the training Enhanced Support Level Program (ESLP) for enhancing the training of the seafarers
through the exposure of general education and technical courses of college level.
Maritime higher education institutions intending to offer the ESLP shall be responsible for setting their own
program of study subject to the provisions on pre-requisites and co-requisites of this Circular. Provided that,
such program of study shall be revised depending on the K-12 adjusted professional track program that may be
set by the STCW Administration, the needs of industry, current trends and practices, the effect of promulgation
of new laws, and local and international rules and regulations. Provided further, that all prescribed
courses/competencies under the STCW are offered and complied with subject to the approval of MARINA and
CHED.
This set of courses prepares the students to become competent and competitive deck support level seafarers.
Consequently, a student who completed such special program and who has complied with all the requirements
provided herein shall be conferred a Certificate as having completed the ESLPMD or ESLPME, accordingly.

10. What are the acceptable watchkeeping duties?

For purposes of licensure exams, the Administration requires BRIDGE watchkeeping and ENGINE ROOM
watchkeeping as the only acceptable watchkeeping duties. A list of main duties of an officer on watch (OOW)
in bridge are Compare the compasses, this is done in order to have a precise estimate window within which the
compass errors can affect the course to be steered and thereafter, made good. In case a gyro fails, the OOW
must be aware of the extent to which the error of the magnetic might affect the course being followed/to be
followed. Check soundings by the echo sounder. Needless to say, the UKC and the depth of water at any point
is imperative to the safe navigation of the ship. Ensure that the lookout is alert: Not just the lookout but also the
helmsman should be alert at all times. Check the position: The OOW must check the position plotted by the
outgoing OOW and not depend entirely on the displayed information on the chart. Discussing with the outgoing
OOW: Navigation of the vessel is extremely dynamic and therefore all conditions at any given time affect the
ship in a certain way and also helps us to ascertain the trend with regard to the movement of the ship and the
surroundings.