MANILA, PHILIPPINES – To sustain the production of high quality and competent Filipino seafarers through maritime education and trainings, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) calibrated five (5) training course packages in a three-day workshop held in Manila.

The MARINA personnel under the STCW – Accreditation Division, STCW – Surveillance Division, and STCW – Research and Development Division ensured that the mandatory training courses on Security Ship Officer (SSO), Security Awareness Training and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (SAT & SDSD), Medical First Aid (MeFA), Medical Care (MeCa), and Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSCRB) were anchored with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers Convention 1978, as amended.

The scope, outcomes, entry standards, course certificates, course intake limitations, assessment, teaching facilities and equipment, as well as the teaching aids needed for the successful implementation of the training course packages were comprehensively checked to establish uniformity among 124 maritime training institutions (MTIs) offering MARINA-approved training course packages to maritime students.

All the mandatory training course packages set forth by the MARINA are in compliance with the minimum training requirements of aspiring seafarers under the STCW Convention 1978, as amended.

Prior to the calibration activity, the five (5) training course packages were aligned with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) model courses resulting to varying appreciation and understanding of the minimum standards of education and trainings to be offered to aspiring Filipino seafarers.

The calibrated training course packages will be brought to the STCW – Research and Development Division for final review and further suggestions before presentation to the MARINA officer-in-charge Vice-Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr who is also the concurring MARINA STCW Executive Director. After Vice-Admiral Vingson’s approval, the training course packages will then be forwarded to MTIs for actual implementation.

The MARINA recognizes the strong and promising capability of the maritime human resources in shaping the Philippines into becoming a major maritime nation. Hence, the Agency has committed to uncompromisingly implement and enforce policies and regulations on maritime education, training, and certification for Filipino seafarers to further uphold the quality of the country’s workforce in the international maritime community.

###​