Philippines
- Who issues it
- Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA); National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for its radio permits.
- Buoyage
- IALA region B
Do you need a licence?
Yes, Philippine-registered recreational boats in Philippine waters need licensed captains according to gross tonnage.
MARINA's domestic manning rules set this requirement.
Boat Captain 1
From 18- What it lets you do
- This domestic licence is listed for captaining recreational boats below 15 GT in the minimum manning table.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Boat Captain 2
From 18- What it lets you do
- You can captain recreational boats from 15 GT to under 50 GT. After two years commanding boats from 15 GT to under 50 GT, you can also captain boats from 50 GT to under 100 GT.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Boat Captain 3
From 18- What it lets you do
- You can captain recreational boats from 50 GT to under 100 GT, and serve as a deck officer on boats from 100 GT to under 500 GT under the domestic manning table.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Minor Patron
From 18- What it lets you do
- This domestic licence is listed for commanding recreational boats from 100 GT to under 250 GT. Additional crew are required.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Major Patron
From 18- What it lets you do
- This domestic licence is listed for commanding recreational boats from 250 GT to under 500 GT. Additional crew are required.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
More exam guides
MARINA deck officer — Philippines COLREG reviewer
This MARINA COLREG reviewer helps you revise collision avoidance for deck officer study in the Philippines, with free lessons and unofficial practice.
Professional deck titles
Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW)
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- You can support the navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ratings as Able Seafarer Deck
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- You can carry out qualified deck-rating duties on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Officer-In-Charge of a Navigational Watch
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- You can be the officer responsible for a navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage not engaged on near-coastal voyages
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- You can command ships under 500 GT that are not engaged on near-coastal voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Mate
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as the senior deck officer. Separate certificates apply to ships between 500 and 3,000 GT and ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can command seagoing ships. Separate certificates apply to ships between 500 and 3,000 GT and ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Special Radio Operator's Permit (SROP)
- What it lets you do
- As a maritime worker who completes the Special Radio Operator's Seminar, you can hold this NTC permit.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Restricted Operator’s Certificate (ROC)
ROC- What it lets you do
- You can operate GMDSS radio equipment within VHF coast-station coverage.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
General Operator’s Certificate (GOC)
GOC- What it lets you do
- You can operate GMDSS radio equipment, including terrestrial and satellite systems.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Second-Class Radio Electronic Certificate (2nd Class REC)
- What it lets you do
- You can carry out GMDSS radio operation and maintenance in the radio-electronic certificate category.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
First-Class Radio Electronic Certificate (1st Class REC)
- What it lets you do
- You can carry out GMDSS radio operation and maintenance in the radio-electronic certificate category.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
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Official sources: MARINA — MS-2025-02, Annex A: minimum safe manning scale, recreational-boat table and footnotes · MARINA — MD-2026-01: licensing of Major Patron, Minor Patron and Boat Captains · MARINA — SC-2021-03: deck-officer and GMDSS certification · MARINA — SC-2023-03: navigational-watch ratings and able seafarer deck certification · MARINA — STCW Circular 2016-17: GMDSS radio-operator certificate categories · NTC — 2025 regional-office Citizen's Charter: radio certificates and Special Radio Operator's Permit