The Difference Between the Seafarer's Record Book (SRB) and the Seafarer's Identity Document (SID)

As the second part of this blog post, we will discuss the difference between the Seafarer's Record Book (SRB) and the Seafarer's Identity Document (SID) vis-a-vis with the now being paced out Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB) which was also discussed in the separate blog post. 

Basically there are three main difference between these documents, and these are the legal basis for its creation, the security features and the purpose for the implementation.  

Legal Basis

Both the SIRB and the SRB or commonly called Seaman's Book in the Philippines was issued under the International Labour Organization Convention on Seafarer's Identity Documents Convention in 1958 and was revised in 2003.  Philippines is a signatory of that convention hence it must comply with its articles.  

But due to the difference in standards on the issuance and the appearance of these documents, especially the SID, the ILO SID Convention was revised in 2003 and the Philippines ratified the convention in 2012.  Hence, a new and standardized SRB and SID is now being implemented.  

With these changes, MARINA issued the memorandum circular 2019-01 or the Rules and Regulations in the issuance of SRB and SID.  The circular was approved last November 15, 2018 but legally took effect last 10 January 2019 after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Security Features

Both the old SIRB and the new SRB uses limited security features on papers.  While this document contains several details about the holder to include its seaman's rank or position onboard, this document are solely used for recording the seaman's service aboard a vessel.

For positive identification of a seafarer or seaman, the SID serves this purpose.  In the past, there are no such standards for the appearance and security features for a seafarer's ID.  This led to some problems when it comes to providing access to shore services for seafarer's such as medical facilities as some countries refusing to honor the validity of their IDs.  It also become problematic for some seafarers to go on shore leave on foreign countries without visa or preventing them to report to their next assignment during ship's crew changes.  With the ILO SID Convention, it laid out standard protocols for the issuance of the SIDs to include the security features it should contain.  

photo from MARINA website

Above is a sample of Seafarers Identity Document or SID being issued by MARINA.  As you may notice, there are a lot of security features being introduced in this new document.  In the past, administrators can issue IDs without following any standards on security features.  With the amendment of ILO Convention on SID in 2003, a minimum security features of SID become mandatory to all the parties as stated in the Annex I of the convention.  Now, MARINA had some most of it implemented in the new SID, especially the following

Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) - Notice at the back of the SID are numbers with seem like arrows.  This is very similar to your passport, that is because it is being required by the convention for your SIDs to be machine readable in all borders or immigration booths.  

Guilloche image - An intricate lines and curves engraved by machines is used at the front and back of the ID.  The purpose of which is to visually determine the authenticity of the document through the image imprinted.  

Ultraviolet ink - A MARINA logo printed in ultraviolet ink is also included in the new SID.  The true logo colors is invisible to daylight but once inspected under a UV light, its real image color reveals itself.  This is very much the same technology that banks uses when inspecting for fake notes or bills.  

Microprinting - A text printed in the background less than 0.25mm in size is also among the new security feature. 

Secure facial code - If you own today's latest gadgets that uses facial recognition technology in locking and unlocking your devices, the SID uses very similar technology.  Your facial signature determined by a program is being stored in a national database and can be accessed through this security feature.   If you are worried about your privacy, which arguably could be violated in the collection of your biometrics, the convention has included a guarantee that such collection of your private information should be done where your privacy is not violated.

Purpose

Surprisingly, the purpose of the SIRB and SRB was not change.  It will still remain to be the means of recording the employment of seafarers aboard ship including the details of his ship and his position or rank aboard a vessel.  The record of his travel with the ship will be also shown in the SRB as certified by the master.  

taken from MARINA Circular 2019-01

 

Now the SID has a bit of different purpose.  As we have discussed, the not so standard SID issued before the amendment of ILO SID Convention 2003 led to several problems for seafarers.  Now, it is one of the purpose of document, aside from being and identity document, that the seafarers will be able to access land based services, go on shore leave, or travel to their next destination fro crew changes without the need for visa.  

Although, it should be noted that only countries who are signatory to the convention will be able to honor this important piece of document and where seafarers could enjoy their rights under the convention.  

In conclusion, although at first it might seem to be an unnecessary upgrading of seafarer's requirements to be employed aboard ship, the disadvantages outweighs the negative side of it.  Just looking at the whole purpose of having this kind of system surely convinces me that the new system is for the greater good of all people working at sea.  

The protection it can give to seafarers and prevent them from victimized by the security measures being implemented by coastal states against terrorism is a huge benefit.  Having one also guarantees the freedom of movement of people working on board.