The Registry · Index updated 2026-09-06 · Per-entry verification is separate and often still unset
Tracked maritime rules and advisories
A maintained subset of DMW, MARINA, IMO, ILO/MLC and ITF/IBF instruments that recur in Filipino seafarer work. This is not “every rule,” not an official gazette, and not legal advice. Unknown legal status is never treated as in force.
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Philippine issuances
2026 Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Seabased Overseas Filipino Workers
Signed 2026-06-07 · Effective: 2 July 2026 · No verification date on file
The new master rulebook for sea-based recruitment and deployment, replacing the 2016 POEA framework. Implements RA 11641 (DMW charter) and RA 12021 (Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers). Tightens agency and principal accountability, including onboard living conditions and rest hours of no less than 10 hours in any 24-hour period.
Affects: Seafarers · Manning agencies · Principals
Revised Standard Employment Contract (SEC) for Seafarers
Signed 2026-06-07 · Effective: 3 July 2026 · No verification date on file
The unified contract every deployed Filipino seafarer signs. Headline changes: a concrete definition of abandonment (non-payment of wages for at least two months, or failure to arrange repatriation); an aggregate cap on multiple-disability payouts at the Grade-1 maximum of USD 66,000; expanded coverage for mental health and certain illnesses; employer duties on safe passage and immediate next-of-kin notification after shipboard incidents.
Affects: Seafarers · Families · Manning agencies · P&I
Standard Employment Contract for Overseas Fishers
Signed 2026-06-07 · Effective: 3 July 2026 · No verification date on file
Companion contract framework extending the revised protections to overseas Filipino fishers, a workforce historically covered by weaker terms than merchant seafarers.
Affects: Fishers · Manning agencies
Guidelines in the Implementation of the Sa 'Pinas, Ikaw ang Nurse at Allied Health Professional ng Bayan (SPINB) Program
Signed 2026-07-01 · Effective: Issued 1 July 2026 (effectivity per circular text) · No verification date on file
Land-based programme circular setting the implementation guidelines for the Sa 'Pinas, Ikaw ang Nurse at Allied Health Professional ng Bayan (SPINB) programme, which places returning Filipino nurses and allied health professionals in Philippine-based health work. Logged here so the DMW Department Circular series for 2026 is complete and gap-free; it creates no sea-based entitlement and does not change seafarer contracts, deployment or certification. Read the official circular for the programme’s coverage and effectivity.
Affects: Land-based OFWs · Nurses · Allied health professionals · Recruitment agencies
Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers
Signed 2024-09-23 · Effective: 11 October 2024 · No verification date on file
The foundational statute consolidating seafarer rights: fair terms, grievance mechanisms, mandatory OWWA/SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG coverage, education standards, and the legal basis for the 2026 DMW rulebook and contract overhaul.
Affects: Seafarers · Families · Manning agencies · Schools · Government
IRR of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers (RA 12021)
Signed 2025-01-08 · Effective: January 2025 · No verification date on file
Joint IRR operationalizing RA 12021 across DMW, MARINA and partner agencies — the bridge between the statute and the 2026 circulars now in force.
Affects: Seafarers · Manning agencies · Schools · Government
MISMO as the online channel for COC/COP issuance and revalidation
Effective: In force (standing) · No verification date on file
All applications for issuance and revalidation of Certificates of Competency (COC), Certificates of Proficiency (COP) and the MARINA ID run through the MARINA Integrated Seafarer Management Online (MISMO) system. COCs are valid five years; revalidation requires a valid medical certificate from a DOH-accredited facility, proof of sea service, and applicable refresher courses.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers
Extension of the Validity of Philippine-Issued STCW Certificates of Seafarers Onboard Ships Affected by the Escalating Middle East Crisis
Signed 2026-06-30 · Effective: 30 June 2026 · No verification date on file
Relief measure for Filipino seafarers who remain onboard ships caught in the escalating Middle East / Strait of Hormuz disruption and cannot disembark to revalidate expiring certificates on schedule. MARINA extends the validity of affected Philippine-issued STCW Certificates of Competency (COC) and Certificates of Proficiency (COP) so a certificate lapsing while a seafarer is stuck onboard does not make them non-compliant for continued service. Confirm the exact extension period and covered certificate types in the official advisory before relying on it.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Manning agencies · Shipowners
Deferral of the National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test (NaMMAT) for Academic Year 2026-2027 and Interim Admission Guidelines for MHEIs
Signed 2026-06-18 · Effective: 18 June 2026 · No verification date on file
MARINA defers the National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test (NaMMAT) for Academic Year 2026-2027 and issues interim guidelines for how Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) admit new BSMT/BSMarE students in the meantime. Directly relevant to anyone entering a maritime degree this school year — confirm your school’s interim admission requirements and any rescheduled NaMMAT date in the official advisory.
Affects: Senior high students · College applicants · Maritime schools · Parents
Fifth Supplemental Advisory on the Contingency Measures to Address the Impact of the Middle East Crisis on the Philippine Maritime Industry
Signed 2026-07-02 · Effective: 2 July 2026 · No verification date on file
The fifth in MARINA's running series of contingency measures responding to the escalating Middle East / Strait of Hormuz crisis and its impact on the Philippine maritime industry. It updates the earlier contingency packages — which have included validity relief for the STCW certificates of seafarers stuck onboard (see Advisory 2026-30) — as the threat picture evolves. Filipino seafarers transiting or serving in the affected region should read it alongside Advisory 2026-30 and the IBF designated risk-area list; confirm the specific measures, covered areas and effective period in the official advisory before relying on it.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Manning agencies · Shipowners
Guidelines on the Classification Status and Continued Operation of Vessels Affected by the Suspension of Certificate of Accreditation of MARINA-Accredited Classification Societies
Signed 2026-07-02 · Effective: 2 July 2026 · No verification date on file
Sets out how vessels keep a valid classification status and continue operating when a MARINA-accredited classification society has its certificate of accreditation suspended. It comes with an operational framework (Annex A) and a certificate-of-extension mechanism (Annex B) so affected ships are not immediately grounded. Primarily a shipowner and flag-state measure, but relevant to seafarers because a ship's class and statutory certificates underpin its lawful, insured operation and their continued employment aboard. Confirm the covered classification societies and the extension terms in the official advisory and its annexes.
Affects: Shipowners · Operators · Flag state · Seafarers
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circular Letters as of 31 May 2026
Signed 2026-07-10 · Effective: 10 July 2026 · No verification date on file
MARINA's consolidated reference digest of IMO circular letters in force as of 31 May 2026 — a catalogue for flag-state administrators and company compliance teams tracking the latest IMO guidance. Informational reference rather than a new seafarer entitlement; consult the attached list in the official advisory for the specific circular letters covered.
Affects: Flag state · Shipowners · Manning agencies · Officers
Conduct of Random Unannounced High-Level Regulatory Inspections
Signed 2026-07-21 · Effective: Issued 21 July 2026 · No verification date on file
MARINA advisory providing for the conduct of random, unannounced high-level regulatory inspections of the entities MARINA regulates. Archived within 24 hours of issuance so the 2026 MARINA Advisory series stays complete and gap-free. The official PDF is a scanned image with no machine-readable text layer, so this entry states only what the published MARINA title and issuance date confirm; the detailed scope, covered entities and consequences must be read from the source document and are deliberately not paraphrased here to avoid overstating the advisory.
Affects: MARINA-regulated maritime entities
Examination Requirement for Active Harbor Pilots Applying for a Harbor Pilot License in Another Pilotage District
Signed 2026-07-23 · Effective: Issued 23 July 2026 · No verification date on file
MARINA advisory setting the examination requirement for an active harbor pilot who applies for a harbor pilot license in another pilotage district. Archived within 24 hours of issuance so the 2026 MARINA Advisory series stays complete and gap-free. It is a domestic pilotage-licensing measure directed at harbor pilots and does not change the contracts, deployment, certification or benefits of overseas Filipino seafarers. Read the official MARINA advisory for the exact examination coverage, requirements and effectivity.
Affects: Harbor pilots · MARINA
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circulars as of 31 May 2026
Signed 2026-07-10 · Effective: 10 July 2026 · No verification date on file
MARINA's consolidated reference digest of IMO circulars in force as of 31 May 2026 — a catalogue for flag-state administrators and company compliance teams tracking the latest IMO guidance. Informational reference rather than a new seafarer entitlement; consult the attached list in the official advisory for the specific circulars covered.
Affects: Flag state · Shipowners · Manning agencies · Officers
EMSA audit of Philippine maritime education, training and certification
Effective: 24 Feb – 15 Mar 2026 (conducted) · No verification date on file
EU inspection of MARINA, CHED, assessment centers and nine maritime schools. EU recognition of Philippine STCW certificates — on which roughly 50,000 EU-flag officer jobs depend — continues while findings are addressed. Outcome reports tracked here as they publish.
Affects: Officers · Schools · Training centers · Government
2016 POEA rules on sea-based recruitment and employment (superseded)
Effective: Superseded when DMW DC No. 06, s. 2026 took effect · No verification date on file
Historical POEA sea-based recruitment framework. DMW Department Circular No. 06, s. 2026 is the replacement master rulebook according to that circular’s own description on this registry. Kept so old citations still resolve. Not independently re-verified in this pass.
Affects: Seafarers · Manning agencies
International frameworks
Mandatory training on prevention of violence and harassment (incl. SASH) on board
Signed 2024-05-01 · Effective: 1 January 2026 · No verification date on file
New minimum STCW requirement: training and instruction on preventing and responding to sexual assault, sexual harassment, bullying and other harassment on board. Flag administrations and training providers are rolling out compliant courses now.
Affects: Seafarers · Training centers · Shipowners
Comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code
Effective: Adoption expected ~2027 · No verification date on file
Full rewrite in progress at IMO's HTW Sub-Committee (HTW 12 met Feb 2026): new training standards for alternative fuels (ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, LPG, batteries, wind-assist), a new fatigue and hours-of-work workstream, and modernization of certification structure. Will reshape every maritime curriculum and certificate when adopted.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Schools · Training centers
2025 MLC amendments: shore leave without visa, strengthened repatriation, seafarers as key workers
Signed 2025-06-06 · Effective: Expected December 2027 · No verification date on file
The most far-reaching MLC package since 2013: shore leave without visas or special permits and without discrimination by flag; repatriation duties clarified to cover travel, food, accommodation, medical care and up to 30 kg of luggage; recognition of seafarers as key workers; stronger protection against violence and harassment.
Affects: Seafarers · Shipowners · Port states
IBF List of Designated Risk Areas with applicable benefits
Signed 2026-10-29 · Effective: Agreed 29 Oct 2026. Header extended to 19 Nov 2026. Designations 1–6 to 23 Nov 2026. · Last verified 2026-11-06
The IBF list of Warlike Operations Areas, High-Risk Areas and Extended Risk Zones agreed 29 Oct 2026 and extended to 19 Nov 2026. Designations 1–6 run to 23 Nov 2026. Designations 7–10, including the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, run to 19 Nov 2026. Checked against the ITF page on 6 Nov 2026. Benefits still follow the crew's own CBA.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Shipowners · Manning agencies
STCW Convention and Code, 2010 Manila Amendments
Signed 2010-06-25 · Effective: In force since 2012 (baseline) · No verification date on file
The current global baseline for seafarer training, certification and watchkeeping — the framework every COC/COP, refresher requirement and MARINA circular hangs from, and the object of the ongoing comprehensive review.
Affects: Seafarers · Officers · Schools · Flag states
Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (the seafarers' bill of rights)
Signed 2006-02-23 · Effective: In force since 2013 (baseline) · No verification date on file
Minimum working and living standards at sea: employment agreements, wages, rest hours, accommodation, food, medical care, repatriation and complaint procedures. The 2025 amendment package (see entry above) is its largest update since entry into force.
Affects: Seafarers · Shipowners · Flag states · Port states
Review queue (tooling only)
Rows with no lastVerifiedAt show as unverified. An overdue nextReviewAt would show “review due” without declaring the law invalid. No editorial owner has accepted a daily/weekly review cadence in this change; do not treat this box as a staffing commitment.
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