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hi aldrin,
actually, i dont know how to answer your question. first, i am not familiar with marine courses. second, i dont have contacts in marina to whom we can ask about your inquiry. i was just an ordinary seafarer who fall in line in marina to get my seaman’s book, and i am just sharing my experiences how i got my documents. maybe, you can try in another website where marine graduates share their experiences. let me answer your questions with my own set of questions also, why will you apply for a seamans book if your documentss are not yet complete? what do you like to portray in your seaman’s book, a marine graduate, or an ordinary seafarer? remember, its a permanent lifetime document, its good for 5 years and you have to renew it regularly as long youre joining ships. anyway, maybe there’s someone out there who is reading this comments section, who can help you answer your question. hello, anybody there from marina?

hi kenneth,
you can get a seaman’s book as long as you’re of legal age 18 yrs.old, and have completed all the requirements of Marina.

Hi Gelo,
Thanks for reading my blog. As far as i know, the requirements for all Filipinos who likes to work in cruise ships are the same as required by MARINA. pls. check my blog about How to Get Seaman’s Book and SOLAS Requirements in Philippines. The only way i know how to start applying is by checking websites of the shipping agencies, reading ads in Manila Bulletin and completing all the requirements like SOLAS and Seaman’s Book. About contracts, usually its 6 months to 8 months, it all depends on the principal employer. The most common shipping agencies are Magsaysay, PTC, Singa, CF Sharp. You can get a copy of all the shipping agencies at the ground floor of POEA. Its ok to get a Seaman’s Book even if you dont have an employer yet, you have the edge from other applicants when you apply in the agency.
Thanks for reading my blog. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance to pursue your dreams! Just don’t give up!

hi jeff and jouel,
i would like to answer your inquiries one at a time.
1. may i ask can i get seaman book even if i graduated from computer course? yes, you can. as i mentioned above, every Filipino who likes to work on ships are all required to have a seaman’s book. your documents are always a passport and a seaman’s book if youre a seafarer.
2. where can i get the solas training? pls. check my blog about “SOLAS training certificates in Philippines”
3. Marine Courses? Jeff, i’m sorry to say that i don’t have the knowledge about any marine courses because i have worked in hotel department in cruise ship.
4. No Diploma in high school? From what i have researched, its really a must to have high school diplomas. so my dear, you really have to exert some extra effort to complete your requirement. anyway, this will only happen once, because once you’re issued a seaman’s book, its would be easy to renew after 5 years, because you just present your old seaman’s book and SOLAS certificate.

hi stone, if you are not high school graduate, you need to get your last school records from your last school attended and you also need it to be verified in DepEd. Its ok to apply for a seamans book even if you are not high school graduate as long as you have completed the requirements of marina like solas and all other documents listed above. good luck!

hi cristopher,
a filipino seamans book is valid for 5 years. you can use it for applying or working on the ship within that time frame. good luck!

hi john,
i just found out from the website of MARINA that TOR will just be required for applicants who are enrolled in maritime courses. pls. check their new requirements and processing fee in http://www.marina.gov.ph/faqs/default.aspx

hi jun,
you’re looking for the list of accredited training centers for SOLAS. you can check this list from marina , http://www.mtc.gov.ph/html/pdf/directory/TC%20Directory.pdf
you can call the centers and compare their prices. Just be sure your SOLAS includes these following subjects
1. Elementary First Aid
2. Personal Survival Techniques
3. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
4. Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
5. Medical Emergency First Aid

hi paul,
it does not matter if you’re a college graduate or not, the employers or principals are looking for skilled and experienced crew. to be a college graduate is just an additional point. i think you just have to show them your certificates of employment and answer with confidence during principals interview. but may i remind you that applying for cruise ship jobs takes lots patience plus a budget to complete all the requirements. Good luck and God Bless!