Filipino Seafarers advised to take MLC

Manila, Philippines – Capt. Ireneo Delos Santos, a member of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) marine deck officers’ board member advised his fellow board members to undergo their maritime learning course (MLC) even if they already have plenty of seafaring experience.

As imposed by the 2010 Manila Amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), Filipino seafarers are now required to have a certificate of competency even for senior mariners in able to keep their posts in their respective vessels.

However, veteran seafarers who have already obtained the so-called STCW certificate prior or after Feb. 13, 2002 are already exempted from undergoing MLCs for at least another five years cleared Delos Santos.

The PRC official also added that failure to acquire MLCs rating for Filipino Seafarers would result to a very restricted deployment overseas as this is one of the documents being sought by major shipping and manning companies.

MLCs and STCW certificates are similar to the educator’s doctoral courses’ that emphasizes the ability of the latter to hold more sensitive and higher posts.

Delos Santos also emphasized that this ruling does not apply to the stewards only to seamen those job is essential to the safe operation of the ship.