SRN, MISMO, SIRB and your certificates
1The lesson in plain words
Your MARINA number, record book, certificates and medical must all be valid and match. Apply online and never pay a fixer.
SRN and MISMO
MISMO, the MARINA Integrated Seafarers Management Online system, is where you apply for certificates, revalidation and replacements. Each user gets a Seafarers' Registration Number (SRN), a unique 10-digit number. Training centres, assessment centres and manning agencies enter your training, assessment and sea-service records in MISMO. Check that your records there are complete and correct before you apply.
SIRB
The Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB), issued by MARINA, records your identity and sea service. Each sign-on and sign-off is entered and certified. MARINA uses these entries, with crew lists and contracts, as evidence of sea service. Keep it up to date and renew it before it expires; a gap in your entries can delay your next certificate.
CoC and CoP
A certificate of competency (CoC) lets you serve as an officer, such as officer in charge of a navigational watch (OIC-NW), chief mate or master. A certificate of proficiency (CoP) proves training such as basic training, survival craft and rescue boats, advanced firefighting and medical first aid. MARINA issues both. Only MARINA-approved courses and assessments count. Check whether your ship's flag recognises your Philippine CoC and requires a flag-state endorsement, a document confirming that recognition.
Medical fitness
You need a valid medical certificate from a medical examination meeting STCW section A-I/9. Filipino seafarers take a pre-employment medical examination (PEME) at a clinic accredited by the Department of Health (DOH). Declare your health honestly; a false declaration can cost you your job and your claims later.
Avoid fixers
MARINA warns against fixers, people who sell appointments or 'fast' certificates. A fake certificate is a crime and endangers the ship. Use only MISMO and official channels, and pay only official fees.
2Key points
- 1
Apply through MISMO; your SRN is a unique 10-digit number.
- 2
Keep your SIRB current: it is evidence of sea service.
- 3
CoC for officer ranks, CoP for training; MARINA issues both.
- 4
Only MARINA-approved courses and assessments count.
- 5
PEME at a DOH-accredited clinic; never use fixers.
3Frequent mistakes
Wrong: My sea service will be credited automatically, even if supporting records are missing.
Right: MARINA needs accepted evidence. Ask your agency to correct MISMO and provide certified sea-service entries, crew lists and contracts.
Wrong: Paying a fixer saves time and is a normal practice.
Right: It is illegal and risks fraudulent certificates. Use MISMO and official fees only.
4Practice case & exam keys
Your OIC-NW CoC expires in four months. In MISMO, your last contract's sea service is missing, and a friend offers you a fixer who can 'clear it in a week'. What do you do?
Show the answer
Decline the fixer. Ask your manning agency to enter the missing sea-service record in MISMO. Bring your SIRB entries, crew list and contract as evidence. Correct the record through official channels before submitting your application; follow the revalidation timing in the next lesson. Check that your medical and CoPs are valid too.
Exam keys
- MISMO: MARINA's online system; SRN is a unique 10-digit number.
- SIRB: identity and sea-service record book issued by MARINA.
- CoC for capacities (OIC-NW, chief mate, master); CoP for training; MARINA-approved courses only.
- Medical per STCW A-I/9 (PEME); avoid fixers.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, answer three questions. Get all three right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
My notes for this unit
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