The New MARINA Seafarer's Record Book (SRBB) and Seafarer's Identity Document (SID)

Previously I have written about how you can obtain your Seafarer's Identification and Record Book in the Philippines or simply called the Seaman Book.

But with the new developments in the seafaring world, MARINA is splitting this document to become two documents which will be called the Seafarer's Record Book (SRB) and the Seafarer's Identity Document (SID).

This move is seen to be in line with the International Labour Convention 185 or the Seafarer's Identity Documents Convention 2003 which was arguably in response to tightening security measures in the seagoing world because of the 9/11 terrorism attack.
The conventions sets out the standard and guidelines for the government on issuing the SID which is hoped to  give our seamen guaranteed basic rights for necessary land services when ashore such as medical related access without visa.  The SID should be an enough document for seamen to have  a shore leave, when travelling in transit or for ships crew changes without visa as well.  It is also worthy to take note, that under this convention, only countries who have signed and ratified it are oblige to follow or honour what is written in the articles of the convention.  If you want to read the whole document and the countries where it is in force, you can visit the ILO website.

The Philippines ratified this convention on 19 January 2012 but it is only in November 2018 that the MARINA have issued a circular for its implementation.  A little bit late for MARINA to make such move, however, as the saying goes it is better late than nothing.

Under MARINA Circular 2019-01, this new scheme took effect after its publication in a news paper of general publication which was last 10 January 2019.  Some of the important points of this circular can be summarized in the following:

- The new SRB and SID is a requirement for all Filipino seafarers 18 years and above who are serving aboard commercial vessel of 35 gross tonnage and above and for fishing vessel of 50 gross tonnage and above is to have their SRB and SID at all times.  For cadet trainees who are below 18 years old shall be issued such documents for training purposes only.

- You should have a valid SRB first before you can secure the SID.  For seafarers who has still valid old SIRB, they can still use the said document for obtaining SID, however, they also have the option of acquiring new one if they want to do so.

- Application of SRB and SID can be done through the online appointment system of MARINA.   Personal appearance is required for application, however, for seamen currently onboard who have lost or damaged their documents can ask their authorized shipping or manning company representative to file their application on their behalf.

- For seamen who are applying for such documents with Basic Training (BT) course and have already lapsed for 5 years without going on board shall be required to take the full BT course again.

- In the online appointment system of MARINA, you can upload the documents required for application, supposedly for you not take that anymore when you appear personally.  But it is always advisable that you take with you all the hard copies of the requirements when you appear to their offices.  Below are the requirements for renewing or applying for a new SRB and SID:

-  Accordingly, your new SRB will be valid for 10 years and the SID will be valid for 5 years.  For cadets who will be issued of these documents, they can only use it until the completion of their training.  The holder of SRB should always ensure the proper filling of entries every after voyage by their masters.  

Disqualication

- Seafarers who have been able to claimed disability benefits by their insurance due to medical reasons/disability shall not be allowed to obtain the SRB and SID.  

- Seafarers who are on the watch list of MARINA unless duly cleared by MARINA legal services.  

Fees

Under this new scheme, the application for these documents will entail costs for the applicant.  The fees are not that much considering the convenience that the online appointment system can provide.  We hope that the system will leave up to the expectation of seafarers that it can indeed speed up the process of their documents.  Please do take note that they are still accepting walk-in applicants but with higher fee as you can see below.

The next post will be an explanation on what is the difference of your new SRB and SID with your old SRB.  Most seamen will see this as another way for the government to milk them of their hard earned money, but it is actually a good way to move to this kind of system from the old one.