Paperwork issue pits MARINA vs. seafarers


MARINA's temporary issuance of identification record sheets instead of identification record books to Filipino seafarers did not sit well with the recipients.

In a statement Thursday, United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) president Nelson Ramirez said many seafarers fear that the MARINA-issued Seafarers Identification Record Sheet (SIRS), which he described as “pieces of paper,” will not be honored in other countries.

“Nangangamba ang mga marino na baka pagdating nila sa ibang bansa tatanggihan silang palabasin sa mga paliparan dahil magtataka ang mga otoridad sa kanilang hawak na piraso ng papel,” he said.

SIRS is a paperwork issued by MARINA, or the Maritime Industry Authority, in lieu of Seafarers Identification and Record Books (SIRB). According to MARINA, this temporary setup was caused by the delay in the replenishment of SIRB.

Ramirez said this is the first time such a substitution has occurred in the industry.

"Hindi mawari ng lahat ng marinong Pilipino kung bakit mawawalan ng seafarer’s booklet ang MARINA, samantalang alam naman nila kung ilan na lang ang libreta na hawak nila at alam din nila kung ilan ang nangangailangan ng libretang ito araw-araw,” he stated.

According an announcement, MARINA has notified the International Maritime Organization, flag states, and other maritime administrations of the temporary measure.

The same announcement said SIRS is valid one year after its issuance and "contains biographical data and other relevant information of the holder."

“Please be advised that all entries related to sea service in the SIRS are required to be filled up by the ship’s officers. In accordance with the Maritime rules and regulations, sea service entries shall serve as reference of this Authority during the application for renewal of the SIRB by any Filipino seafarer," read the announcement.

GMA News Online reached MARINA for comment, but the agency has yet to reply as of posting time.

SIRBs serve as identity papers of the holder to travel on their assigned vessel. It also serves as a record of their sea service, and contains the Special Qualification Certificates, "which specify the particular category or rating which the holder is qualified to serve", according to the International Registries Inc. — Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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