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Section 3(d) of RA 5173 mandates the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to issue Certificates of Inspection and/or permits indicating the granting of authority for vessels of Philippine registry to operate.


To prescribe the levels of responsibility and authority for the approval and issuance of Certificates of Inspection (CI) and Interim Certificates of Inspection (ICI) to Philippine registered vessels.


This Memorandum Circular applies to the issuance of CI and ICI by PCG unit Commanders who are tasked to conduct the scheduled inspection (initial, periodic, conditional, special) of Philippine registered vessels engaged in the overseas and the domestic trades, and are authorized to issue CI or ICI in connection thereto.


1.       Certificate of Inspection a certificate issued by PCG with validity of one year when a vessel has fully complied with the prescribed requirements for hull, machinery, life saving appliances and navigational, communication, and safety equipment.

2.      Interim Certificate of Inspection a temporary certificate issued extending the authority to operate beyond the expiry date of the CI for a period indicated pending compliance with regulatory requirements in ensuring the safety condition of a vessel.

3.      Competent Inspector refers to PCG Maritime Safety Engineers, Surveyors and other qualified persons or individuals duly authorized or appointed by the Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard to conduct safety inspections/surveys.


1.         The Commander, Coast Guard District (CCGD) is responsible for the conduct of the required initial, periodic, conditional, and special inspections of ocean-going and coastwise Philippine registered vessels that are homeported within his jurisdiction. He is authorized to issue the corresponding CI thereto when the currently prescribed detailed requirements for hull, machinery, life saving appliances, and safety equipment are found to be fully complied with.

2.         The Commander, Coast Guard Station (CCGS) is responsible for the conduct of the required initial, periodic, conditional, and special inspections of coastwise Philippine registered vessels that are homeported within his jurisdiction. He is authorized to issue the corresponding CI thereto when the currently prescribed detailed requirements for hull, machinery, life saving appliances, and safety equipment are found to be fully complied with.


1.         A Philippine registered vessel that has not fully complied with all the detailed requirements for safe operation may be issued an ICI in lieu of CI by the CCGD/CCGS concerned provided that the items that are not complied with do not directly affect the vessel’s seaworthiness and/or safety condition.

2.         Each ICI issued shall be limited to a time period as indicated below but shall in no case go beyond the next scheduled drydocking date:

1.  Thirty (30) days — for coastwise vessels
   
   
2. Sixty (60) days — for ocean-going vessels on short international voyage
   
   
3. Ninety (90) days — for vessels engaged in international voyages (Europe and America)

3.         The PCG Commanders who will exercise the authority to issue ICI to particular vessels shall be as follows:

1. Ocean-going
   
   1st & 2nd extension — Commander, Coast Guard District
   
   3rd extension — Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard
   
   
2. Coastwise

(2)   Vessels of 15 GT and above


(3)   Vessels of 800 GT and above



SECTION 1.       The CI may be suspended anytime by any Coast Guard unit if, upon inspection of a vessel, any of the following conditions is found present:

a.         The structural strength of the ship is reduced to such extent that the ship is unsafe as declared by a competent inspector;

b.         For twin-engined vessels, one of the two main engines is not operating satisfactorily;

c.         Only one generator is operating;

d.         Frequent breakdown of main propulsion engines or generators;

e.         The ship to which the certificate was issued does not comply with the conditions of assignment;

f.          Absence of ground tackle;

g.         When there is an alteration or deviation from the PCG approved plans;

h.         Continued unhygienic sanitary facilities due to unrepaired sewerage and poor waste disposal system;

i.          Ship’s stability is affected, i.e. uncorrected list;

j.          Absence of communications system between navigating bridge and machinery control stations;

k.         Excessive or unusual vibration at rated speed/engine RPM due to deflected shaftings, worn-out bearing/bushing or unbalanced propeller(s);

l.          Severely damaged propeller(s);

m.        Grossly inadequate life saving equipment;

n.         Defective or non-operating radio equipment;

o.         Inefficient fire fighting facilities/equipment;

q.         Unusual reading indication of sounding tubes; and

r.          General alarm system is not operating and that no alternative/substitute for same use is present.

SECTION 2.       The Coast Guard Station or Detachment that conducted the inspection shall inform the CI issuing authority (HPCG/District/Station concerned) on the action taken on the unseaworthiness of the subject vessel.

SECTION 3.       The cognizant District Commander may cancel the CI if there are compelling reasons to justify such action.

SECTION 4.       Station Commanders, employing their best judgment, may allow the vessel to continue her voyage, provided that deficiency of the vessel will not directly affect the seaworthiness of the vessel and that the master is fully aware of said deficiency to cause utmost care in disembarking of passengers or unloading of cargoes at her destination.


This Memorandum Circular rescinds MC 05-73. All other publications previously issued which are in conflict partly or wholly with the provisions of this Memorandum Circular are likewise hereby rescinded.


This Memorandum Circular shall take effect one month after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or fifteen days after submission to the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Adopted: 25 Jan. 1994


(Sgd.) DARIO T. FAJARDO
Commodore AFP