Master Seafarer Document Checklist

Every document a Filipino seafarer needs to deploy — grouped, explained, and source-linked. Updated for the 2026 DMW rules.

What changed in 2026: DMW DC-06 (recruitment rules, eff. 2 July 2026) and the 2026 Unified SEC — DMW DC-07 (seafarers) and DC-08 (fishers), eff. 3 July 2026 — are now in force, alongside RA 12021 (Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers). See the Effectivity Timeline for exact dates.

1 · Identity & Travel

Core identity documents. Without these, nothing else moves.

Philippine Passport (valid ≥ contract + 6 months)
Issued by: DFA
Must outlast your full contract. Renew early — appointment backlogs are the #1 avoidable delay.
Siguraduhing hindi mag-e-expire ang pasaporte habang nasa barko ka pa.
Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB / Seaman's Book)
Issued by: MARINA
Your professional record book. Required for embarkation and to log sea service.
Ito ang official record ng iyong sea service — huwag mawala.
Entry / Transit / Joining Visa (as required by flag & port)
Issued by: Destination embassy / principal
Usually arranged by the manning agency. Confirm type matches your joining port.
Karaniwang inaasikaso ng agency — pero i-double check ang tamang klase.

2 · Certification & Competency (STCW)

Proof you are trained and competent for your rank. Governed by the STCW Convention and MARINA.

Certificate of Competency (COC) / Certificate of Proficiency (COP)
Issued by: MARINA – STCW Office
Rank-specific. Verify authenticity through the MARINA MeCAV / online verification.
Depende sa rank mo. I-verify online para sigurado.
Basic Safety Training (BST) + other STCW short courses
Issued by: MARINA-accredited MTIs
Keep refreshers current. Expired safety training blocks deployment.
I-renew agad ang mga expired na training bago mag-apply.
GMDSS / ECDIS / ship-type & alt-fuel endorsements (as applicable)
Issued by: MARINA-accredited MTIs
MARINA Advisory 2025-31 flags new training duties for ships using alternative fuels and new technologies.
May bagong training requirements para sa mga barkong gumagamit ng alternative fuels.
Flag-State Certificate / Endorsement (Recognition)
Issued by: Flag administration (via principal)
The flag your ship flies must recognize your Philippine COC.
Kailangang kilalanin ng flag state ng barko ang iyong COC.

3 · Medical & Fitness

Proof you are medically fit to work at sea.

Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) — fit-to-work certificate
Issued by: DOH / DMW-accredited clinic
Use only accredited clinics. Validity is time-limited — schedule close to deployment.
Sa accredited clinic lang magpa-PEME — may limitadong validity ito.
Drug & alcohol test; required vaccinations (e.g., yellow fever by route)
Issued by: DOH / accredited clinic
Vaccination requirements depend on your trading area.
Depende sa ruta ang kinakailangang bakuna.

4 · Employment & Deployment

The papers that make your engagement legal — updated by the 2026 Unified SEC (DC-07/08) and RA 12021.

DMW-verified Employment Contract (2026 Standard Employment Contract / SEC)
Issued by: DMW
The 2026 Unified SEC (DC-07/08) took effect 3 July 2026 — new USD 66,000 disability cap, mental-health coverage, clearer abandonment rules, and 10h/24h rest. Read the exact clause before signing.
Bagong SEC na ito (eff. Hulyo 3, 2026) — mas mataas na disability cap at bagong karapatan. Basahin bago pumirma.
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) / OFW Pass
Issued by: DMW
Your exit clearance and proof of legal deployment. Also unlocks traveler benefits.
Ito ang exit clearance mo — patunay na legal ang deployment.
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) certificate
Issued by: OWWA / DMW-accredited provider
Required orientation before first deployment / as applicable.
Kailangan bago ang unang deployment.
Allotment / bank arrangement + SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG (OFW) coverage
Issued by: SSS · PhilHealth · Pag-IBIG
Set up allotment for your family and keep contributions active — they back your future claims and benefits.
Ayusin ang allotment para sa pamilya at panatilihing aktibo ang SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG.

Keep this handy. Requirements vary by rank, flag, and trade route — always confirm the current issuance in the Eagle Registry and with your DMW-licensed agency.

Compiled by Eagle Intelligence from public issuances of the DMW, MARINA, DOH, DFA, OWWA, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. Attribution-only aggregation of official sources. This is general information, not legal advice.