Republic of the Philippines
Department of Transportation and Communications
MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY
STCW OFFICESTCW Circular No. 2015 - 05
TO:SUBJECT:ALL SEAFARERS, MARITIME TRAINING INSTITUTIONS,SHIPPING COMPANIES, MANNING AGENCIES, PORT STATECONTROL AUTHORITIES AND OTHER MARITIME INDUSTRYSTAKEHOLDERS CONCERNEDRULES AND REGULATIONS FOR REFRESHER TRAINING ON
1.
PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUEBOATS OTHER THAN FAST RESCUE BOATS(PSCRB)
2.
PROFICIENCY IN FAST RESCUE BOATS (PFRB)3.
ADVANCED FIRE FIGHTING (AFF)----------------------------------------------------------Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10635 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations(IRR) and in compliance with Regulation I/11 paragraphs 4 and 5, Section A-VI/2
paragraphs 5 and 6, 11 and 12, Section A-VI/3 paragraphs 5 and 6 under the 1978
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping
for Seafarers (STCW’78 Convention), as amended, the following rules are hereby
adopted, to wit:

1.

OBJECTIVES.1

To prescribe guidelines on the implementation of refresher training
for:.1.1.1.2.1.3

Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast
rescue boats (PSCRB);
Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (PFRB); andAdvanced Fire Fighting (AFF);.2

Acceptance of onboard training and experience for maintaining therequired standards of competence as defined in Regulation I/11
paragraphs 4 and 5, Section A-VI/2 paragraphs 5 and 6, 11 and 12,Section A-VI/3 paragraphs 5 and 6 under the 1978 International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeepingfor Seafarers (STCW’78 Convention), as amended; and.3To ensure complete, effective and timely compliance with the 1978
STCW Convention, as amended.

2.

COVERAGE
All seafarers applying for Revalidation of Certificate of Proficiency (COP) insurvival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats, Fast Rescue
Boats and Advanced Fire Fighting.

3.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
For the purpose of this Circular, in addition to the terms defined under STCW
Circular No. 2014-01 and other relevant STCW circulars, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:

4.

.1“Competence” refers to a specific task, as identified in Column 1 ofthe Competency Tables of the STCW Code, or as otherwise
specifically determined by the Administration;.2“Documentary evidence” refers to documentation, other than acertificate of competency or certificate of proficiency, used to establishthat the relevant requirements of the Convention have been met;

.3

“Revalidation” refers to the renewal of a STCW Certificate toestablish continued professional competence.

.4“Standard of Competence” means the level of proficiency to beachieved for the proper performance of functions on board ship on
accordance with the internationally agreed criteria as set forth herein
and incorporating prescribed standards or levels of knowledge,understanding and demonstrated skill;

GENERAL PROVISIONS.1

Only the MTIs with approved training programs for PSCRB, PFRB and
AFF shall be allowed to conduct the Refresher Training.

.2

The MTIs shall apply for the approval of Refresher training program for
PSCRB, PFRB and/or AFF in accordance with MARINA Circular 201301 and its subsequent amendments.

.3

The MTIs shall include in their entry requirement and enrolment
procedures the evaluation of the seafarer’s document in accordancewith the provisions of this circular.

.4

MTIs shall offer and conduct Refresher training for PSCRB, PFRB
and/or AFF only after the necessary approval has been granted byMARINA.

5.

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS.1TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.1.1

MTIs shall come up with their own training program for theRefresher training.

.1.2

The said refresher training programs shall consist of thefollowing minimum components:.1.2.1 Course Framework;.1.2.2 Course Outline and Timetable;.1.2.3 Course Syllabus;.1.2.4 Instructor’s Guide; and.1.2.5 Course Assessment.

.2

The Refresher Training for PSCRB shall cover the required standard ofcompetence as follows:

Competence and Topics

Hours
Allocated

Course Introduction/ Orientation
1. Take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during andafter launch
1.1 Right an inverted life raft while wearing a lifejacket
2. Operate a survival craft engine
2.1 Start and operate an inboard engine fitted in an open
and enclosed lifeboat
3. Use locating devices including communication andsignaling apparatus and pyrotechnics
3.1 Use signaling equipment, including pyrotechnics
AssessmentTotal Hours

.3

8.0

The Refresher Training for PFRB shall cover the required standard ofcompetence as follows:

Competence and Topics
Course Introduction/ Orientation
1. Understand the construction, maintenance, repair andoutfitting of fast rescue boats

Hours
AllocatedCompetence and Topics

Hours
Allocated

2. Take charge of a fast rescue boat as commonly fitted,
during launching and recovery
2.1 Conduct safe launching and recovery of a fast rescueboat, with equipment as fitted
3. Take charge of a fast rescue boat after launching
3.1 Right a capsized rescue boat
3.2 swim in special equipment
3.3 recover a casualty from the water and transfer acasualty to a rescue helicopter or to a ship or to a placeof safety
4. Operate a fast rescue boat engine
4.1 start and operate a fast rescue boat engine
Assessment
Total Hours.4

8.0

The Refresher Training for AFF shall cover the required standard ofcompetence as follows:

Competence and Topics

Hours
Allocated

Course Introduction/ Orientation
1. Control fire-fighting operations abroad ships
1.1 Use of water for fire extinguishing , the effect on shipstability, precautions and corrective procedures
1.2 Fire fighting involving dangerous goods
2. Organize and train fire parties
2.1 Preparation of contingency plans
2.2 Strategies and tactics for control of fires in various
parts ofthe ship
3. Inspect and service fire-detection and fire-extinguishingsystems and equipment
3.1 Fire-detection systems
3.2 Fixed fire-extinguishing
3.3 Portable and mobile fire-extinguishing equipment
includingappliances, pumps and rescue, salvage, life-support,
personal protective and communication equipment
3.4 Requirement for statutory and classification surveys
Assessment
Total Hours

8.0

6.

.5

The Refresher training for PSCRB, PFRB and AFF, as providedabove, shall have a minimum of hours indicated above, excluding thetime needed for assessment of competence of participant seafarers /trainees thereof.

.6

The MTIs must take note that the aforesaid numbers of training
hours are the minimum and can be increased as may be necessary
to cover other relevant topic(s) deemed appropriate to achieve theprescribed standards of competence under the STCW ’78 Convention,as amended.

.7

It shall also be the responsibility of the MTI to determine and set thenumber of hours needed for lecture and for practicaltraining/exercises for each of these training programs, based on thespecific standards of Competence, Knowledge, Understanding andProficiency (KUP), and the Criteria for Evaluating Competence
under Table A-VI/2-1, Table A-VI/2-2, AND Table A-VI/3 of theSTCW Code, respectively.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

The MTI must have a documented system for assessment following therules under MARINA Circular No.
2013-01 and its subsequent
amendments, in relation to Section A-I/6 of the STCW Code.

7.

ENTRY STANDARDS.1

Seafarer who shall undergo the Refresher training for PSCRB, PFRB
and AFF must
.1.1

possess Certificate of Proficiency (COP) of PSCRB, PFRB andAFF;.1.2

show, upon enrollment in an MTI, proof of approved seagoing
service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate held,
for a period of at least:.1.2.1 twelve months in total during the preceeding five years, or.1.2.2 three months in total during the preceeding six months
immediately prior to revalidating.

.2

Seafarers who have not acquired the minimum approved seagoing
service performing functions appropriate to the certificate held andperformed functions considered to be equivalent to the seagoingservice required and approved by the administrations, as mentioned in
the preceding paragraphs shall be required to retake the course.

8.

COMPLETION OF THE REFRESHER TRAINING PROGRAM.1

Trainees, who have successfully completed the Refresher Training andpassed the assessment, shall be issued a Certificate of Completion
certifying a holder’s acquisition of the mandatory minimum
requirements and competences as specified in
A. PSCRB, Section A-VI/2 paragraph 4 of the STCW Code,B. PFRB, Section A-VI/2 paragraph 10 of the STCW Code, andC. AFF, Section A-VI/3 paragraph 4 of the STCW Code.2

9.

The format of such certificates shall be in accordance with Annex I of
this Circular.

REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATES.1

For revalidation purposes, a seafarer needs to present to the Evaluatorof the STCWO Certification Division the following documentary
evidence:.1.1
.1.2
.1.3

Certificate of Completion of Refresher Training;
Previously held Certificate of Proficiency;
Proof of approved seagoing service, performing functions
appropriate to the certificate held, for a period of at least:.1.3.1 twelve months in total during the preceeding five years, or.1.3.2 three months in total during the preceeding six months
immediately prior to revalidating.

10.

PENALTY CLAUSE

Any violation of the provisions of this Circular and other related MARINA
issuances shall be governed and sanctioned by the provisions of the IRR for
RA 10635 and MARINA Circular No. 2013 – 05 including any amendment oraddendum thereof, as may be promulgated by the Administration.