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Are you prepared for the EMSA verdict?

October-23-2018

MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) will still submit its correction plan and supporting evidence to the European Commission (EC) this month after having failed the last EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) audit in 2017.

One of the main concerns of the industry is the possibility that the EC will suspend the Philippines and the EU will no longer recognize Philippine-issued Certificate of Competencies (COCs).

While a decision is yet to be made by the EC, there are some things seafarers can already do to be prepared. These suggestions are not easy and may not apply to all, but it will be useful in the event of a suspension:

Renew/re-validate your Philippine COC as soon as possible
This will only work for seafarers who are eligible for renewal and re-validation. It can be done if the current COC is expiring in less than a year.
Get a higher COC
Only seafarers who have completed the requirements for a higher COC will be eligible. Those who will only start now might not make it until the end of the year.

* For items 1 and 2, seafarers who have newly issued COCs prior to any suspension should still be able to use it to go onboard. However, in the event of a suspension, Port Authorities, ship managers, or shipowners may not be comfortable with Philippine COCs despite its validity.
Secure a COC from another country or flag states (ex. Norway, Panama, Liberia)
It’s not an easy task because of the required time, money, and effort to pass the examinations. However, if you have a COC recognized by the EU, you should have no problem working on board EU-flagged vessel.

In the past, the EC already withdrew recognition of another country’s COC. In 2010, the EC declared that COCs issued by Georgia would no longer be recognized because the country failed to comply with international standards.

Rest assured that the Hartmann group is still committed to hiring Filipinos. However, as a matter of business, it will also have to weigh the risks associated with a Philippine crew supply compared to other nationalities if we cannot pass the expectations of the EU.

Know and understand the results of the 2017 European Maritime Safety Agency Audit of the Philippines. Watch this video!

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Are you prepared for the EMSA verdict?

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