The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has unveiled an online appointment system that would allow Filipino seafarers to book the seafarer’s identification and record book (SIRB) or the seaman’s book.
The implementation of the SIRB online appointment system is in line with the computerization and automation of all Marina processes, which is on top of the agency’s 14-point agenda for 2018.
Marina said Filipino seafarers contributed $5.8 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017.
With the SIRB online appointment system accessible at the Marina website, Filipino seafarers could save time and energy spending their time at the processing centers for booking appointments.
The SIRB online appointment system was launched on Friday, October 26, during the “Usapang STCW Forum” attended by 500 maritime stakeholders.
The forum tackled issues on maritime education, training, and certification for Filipino seafarers such as the Marina’s framework in producing competent seafarers, the agency’s strategies on ensuring quality maritime education through outcome-based education, as well as the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended (STCW) -compliant maritime training programs in the Philippines.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Health (DOH) were also present in the forum that discussed the medical standards for the issuance of medical certificate to Filipino seafarers.
