Seamans Book Requirements in Philippines
Certificate of Authentication and Verification (CAV)
Jun 30 2008

SOLAS Training Certificate in Philippines

Posted by: dolphinlover in My Life as A Seawoman, tags:


Applicants in Philippines who wish to pursue a career in seafaring or to work in a cruise ship, one must complete a Basic Safety Course - Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) training obtained from an accredited maritime training center duly approved by the Maritime Training Council, a division of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency.

The training lasts for one week lecture and one day actual training. It covers the following subjects:

Elementary First Aid
Personal Survival Techniques
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
Medical Emergency
First Aid


Training Fee starts from P3,000 to P5,000 Philippine peso.
My advice is just beware of training centers which are not legally accredited by MARINA.
Check the List of Accredited Training Centers.
Beware also of fixers who will promise you that you will get your certificate even if you do not attend the classes anymore. MARINA is already aware of this ghost trainings.
When you apply for a Seamans Book, you will personally submit your requirements in MARINA, you will be surprised that you will be interviewed at the window, you will be asked for 1 or 2 questions about the SOLAS training, and if you cannot answer them correctly, you will be denied and you will be asked to repeat the SOLAS training and come back again.

The certificate that you will receive after the SOLAS training is very important in applying for a Seaman’s Book. And all certificates (SOLAS, Crowd Management, Medical Certificate) are all needed when joining the ship.
You will hand them over to the Crew Purser upon arrival in your assigned ship.
Make photocopies of your documents, so that even if your papers are with your agency or crew purser, you have your own copies, in case you will need them for future use.

And you have to take care of your certificates because that will be your important documents for life as long as you are working on the ship.
You know what I did with my certificates, I went to National Bookstore and had them all laminated, in that case, they will not be wet, and they will remain as new and clear copies.


For a list of approved training centers, please visit

MARITIME TRAINING COUNCIL

6/F Blas F. Ople Building (formerly POEA Building)

EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Or click this link:

Website:   http://www.mtc.gov.ph/

Read my Other Topics for Aspiring Seaman and Seawoman:

My First Contract as a Seawoman

How to Get SOLAS in Philippines

How To Apply for Seamans Book in Philippines

CAV - Certificate of Authentication and Verification

Passport Requirements for Filipinos

How to Get NBI Clearance in Philippines

Thomson Cruise Ships

Louis Cruise Lines

Fred Olsen Cruises

P & O Ferries

Carnival Cruise Lines

Read Other Topics

This entry was posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 8:00 am and is filed under My Life as A Seawoman. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

35 Responses to “SOLAS Training Certificate in Philippines”
  1. Grace says:
    May 4th, 2009 at 7:59 pm - Edit

    Wow! i appreciate your site, it contains a lot of interesting and very useful information such as the Seven-Day Diet, CCA (I want to study culinary arts also) and most esp. about how to obtain SOLAS training. My cousin and I are planning to undergo the training in order for us to work in cruise ships. Would you mind sharing your experiences working in cruise ships? What are the pros and cons working in that kind of job?
    More power!

  2. Ellen says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 5:33 pm - Edit

    Hi. Thanks po sa mga information. I’ve learn a lot. plan ko po kc mag-apply din sa cruise ships, gusto ko din mag seafarer, pede kaya kahit 2yr course lang ang natapos?

  3. daniel says:
    September 5th, 2009 at 10:40 am - Edit

    Thank you very much. God Bless you and your family

  4. Jerome says:
    September 18th, 2009 at 9:07 pm - Edit

    uhm, is there solas site in laguna??

  5. IC says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm - Edit

    Hi, you’ve got a very informative site. Thanks for this! I am 28 years old and has an IT job. I wanted to work in a cruise ship. Is it possible for me to change career? What positions would I fit in? Please give me advice on how to go about my career shift. Thanks a lot in advance! More power to your site. God bless!!!

  6. iso says:
    October 9th, 2009 at 2:36 pm - Edit

    is SOLAS the same with Basic Safety Training for Seamanship?

  7. JAY-R says:
    February 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 pm - Edit

    hi there! im just new here.. when i was wandering your page i got wowed by your statements in there on how to pursue a career in seafaring or work in a cruise ship and specially for your important advice on what to or not to. i am here coz i want to acquire a seamans book for i wish to work in a cruise ship or in seafaring career. im am now looking for a training center or accredited training center to obtained a seamans book. please do help me or even give me more of your advice. or please email me.thanks

  8. Esh says:
    February 27th, 2010 at 9:23 am - Edit

    Nice! this is a good website, you help a lot of people with this, god bless you!

  9. mitch says:
    March 26th, 2010 at 1:45 pm - Edit

    Hi! First i would like to thank you for this site. I have learned a lot and gathered information i needed about SOLAS. However, i haven’t found here the list of documents needed to enroll on the said short classes. What documents should i bring with me? And can you suggest a website where i can find the list of requirements and fees for the said courses. Thank you a lot Rochelle! God bless and more power!!

  10. dolphinlover says:
    March 26th, 2010 at 5:17 pm - Edit

    hi jay-r and mitch,
    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
    mitch, as far as i know, there’s no special documents needed to enroll in solas, just bring i.d. pictures and the payment. good luck!

  11. abby says:
    March 29th, 2010 at 7:45 pm - Edit

    Hi good day!

    I am currently in Sydney and I am planning to apply working in cruise ship. Is it possible to get a training from here in Australia and the certificate will be from here as well. Is good to have training (SOLAS) here and present it to the embassy here to get seamans book? Would they accreditated my credentials? Thank you.

  12. dolphinlover says:
    March 29th, 2010 at 9:33 pm - Edit

    hi abby,
    as far as i know, any Filipino aspiring seafarer must apply for his Seaman’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) at the MARINA ( Maritime Industry Authority), which is the central registrar for Filipino seafarers. And MARINA only accepts SOLAS or (Basic Safety Course) certificates from several training centers that our Philippine government has accredited to perform as such.
    I understand your situation because I also experienced when I had trainings onboard and I got certificates from other international authorities, but then our POEA requires that the certificates should be approved by the MARINA. By the way, you did not mention if you’re still a full-blooded Filipino or if you’re an Australian citizen already. Thanks for reading my site and God bless!

  13. abby says:
    March 31st, 2010 at 1:54 pm - Edit

    hi, thank you. I’m still Filipino citizen, but I do have credentials here in Australia. Honestly, I really don’t know the exact process to be made in applying. Which is like what is better a direct application from the company or use a agency to apply. It was really a brainstorming to me. Hope you can suggest good information. Thank you. God bless!

  14. mitch says:
    April 4th, 2010 at 8:48 am - Edit

    Hello dear, thanks for your reply…. God bless!!

  15. joenel says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 4:15 pm - Edit

    can you give me a list of accredited training center conducting solas

  16. harby says:
    April 19th, 2010 at 9:17 pm - Edit

    hi, gusto ko lng poh malaman, kung anu dffrnz pag high skul TOR and Diploma sa College na ippepresent ko sa pag kuha ng SIRB?? hindi pa kz marelease sa skul ko ung TOR at Diploma kz may balanz payment pa ko,, ang pede ko lng poh ipresent sa ngaun ay certificate n grad ako sa skul ko,, wait for your information,, thanks harby

  17. ronnel says:
    April 23rd, 2010 at 3:37 pm - Edit

    good day mam,
    pwde po bang maging seaman kahit hindi graduate ng seaman or marine..
    pero tapos naman po ako ng four years course? thanx

  18. Zaldy says:
    April 26th, 2010 at 9:09 am - Edit

    Hi, can you point out the best training school out there offering SOLAS?

  19. andrew says:
    May 17th, 2010 at 11:26 am - Edit

    good day mam, I would like to ask what would be an appropriate position for me as a seafarer as a commerce graduate but with an incomplete subject? my father used to work in maersk lines as a second cook, he told me that it would be appropriate for me to start as a messman or messboy, can you give me advice on this. thanks for sharing your experiences and God bless.

  20. andrew says:
    May 18th, 2010 at 9:15 am - Edit

    good day mam, can i ask about dun sa SIRB, kasi one of the requirement is CAV from ched eh graduate po ako ng 4-year course na commerce, unfortunately may 1 incomplete subject ako 1.5 unit, ask ko lang kung pwede kaya if ever i-CAV yung certificate of grades lang?

  21. audie says:
    May 19th, 2010 at 12:12 am - Edit

    sir pag my seaman book na po ako ano po next step?

  22. dolphinlover says:
    May 19th, 2010 at 9:10 am - Edit

    hi andrew,
    i just answered your question in my CAV topic, but I would be happy to repeat my answer so it would help other applicants also.
    You can get your SIRB or Seaman’s Book now without CAV. you only need to present your SOLAS training certificate, birth certificate from NSO, latest NBI (for seaman), passport pictures, and 800 pesos processing fee for regular. You would only need your CAV when you and your employer apply for SRC (Seafarer Registration Certificate). I believe this is the last stage when you already have an employer and your agency is preparing for your departure. For the meantime, get the seaman’s book or SIRB. Check this to verify the complete list of Seaman’s Book requirements, http://www.marina.gov.ph/faqs/default.aspx.
    About your CAV, I believe you would only present your certificate of grades if you are undergraduate and cannot produce a diploma…check the CAV request letter from ched website, http://www.ched.gov.ph/services/students/cav.html.
    It doesn’t matter if one is a college degree holder or a high school graduate only, anybody can apply for any job positions in cruise ship. From my own experience, I was only an undergraduate when I applied for seawoman, and I even applied as utility girl just to get onboard the ship, but with the blessings of the Lord, I landed a job in the casino after 8 months of job hunting, trainings and completing all documents. It really takes a lot of courage and a budget of course to continue going around the agencies everyday…Good luck to you and God bless you!
    Good luck and God bless you!

  23. mark says:
    June 2nd, 2010 at 5:31 pm - Edit

    ask ko lng po mam, ung BST ko po is 2005 pa, tapos po ako ng BSMT i mean last year ko na po (OJT), pinapakuha po skn ung resibo sa PSTC? kc sabi po ng kaibigan ko need po ng resibo ng SOLAS para sa seamansbook, AIMS pasay po ako ng aral, hnd ko po alam kung san ung PSTC T_T

  24. Conrad17 says:
    June 3rd, 2010 at 1:52 am - Edit

    I only have a xerox copy of my Birth Certificate… Is it okay to get SOLAS, Even if its not Original? But, it’s from NSO, I got it when i applied for my passport in 2004. Please, reply… it is very important to me because i want to get SEAMANS BOOK when i go vacation this coming June 10, 2010.. thank you very much indeed…

  25. andrew says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 4:06 pm - Edit

    really! thanks for the answer.. I have to acquire the necessary requirements for me to get a seaman’s book. regarding the agency, I’ll just ask my dad for that cause he use to work as a 2nd cook in maersk lines.. do you think it would be easy if I apply to the same company as my dad was?

  26. jane says:
    June 8th, 2010 at 3:45 am - Edit

    mam me pag asa pa din po bang makapag barko yung mga walang experience sa f&b?
    iba kc course na natapos ko, if ever po ba ng mag training ako ng mga short courses ok na po ba yun?
    and what po mga company na nag aacept ng entry level applicant?
    thanks po.

  27. therlie D garcia says:
    June 8th, 2010 at 4:38 pm - Edit

    is there any height requirement for those who want to get a solas? and for the job in cruise.
    thanks!

  28. alexander A. Rodriguez says:
    June 9th, 2010 at 9:11 am - Edit

    hi po…
    Madali lang po ba ang solas training,,, kc gusto ko pong mag seaman, 10yrs n po me nag 22ro ng welding,, TIG, MIG, SMAW.. kc 4 of my cousin r seaman n inaalok nila ako.. eh takot nman ako s solas training madali lang po b un? godbless!

  29. andrew says:
    June 10th, 2010 at 2:29 pm - Edit

    thanks for the heads up, I’ll be applying for a solas sooner and then ask my dad if he can help me land a job in a ship since he used to work to maersk lines as a 2nd cook.. I am eying on a messman position as a start. thanks a lot

  30. leandro says:
    June 11th, 2010 at 8:21 pm - Edit

    hulo, pwede po ba k kmuha ng seaman book khit commerce course k…

  31. anton says:
    June 22nd, 2010 at 2:34 am - Edit

    hi po, i just wanted to ask if you have to get an english proficiency exam, in order to work in a cruise ship.tnx

  32. iCanCook4U says:
    July 8th, 2010 at 2:17 am - Edit

    hi guys…. hmmmm actually tomorrow is the release for my SOLAS certificate….. matagal ba ang pila don sa MARINA?

    also….

    how much would I pay if ever I asked to rush the release of it? kc sabi saken usually daw 1 month ang release nito kasi nag kaka ubusan ng booklet? is that true?

    thanks sa author ng SITE and JAH BLESS!

  33. jeunesse says:
    July 12th, 2010 at 11:23 pm - Edit

    hi! how can i get:

    • Crowd & crisis certificate
    • ** Quarantine certificate
    • Basic Safety Training
    these are the requirements for application in a cruise ship…

    tnx in advance!

  34. genesis sanchez says:
    July 21st, 2010 at 2:16 pm - Edit

    paano po mag apply?
    gusto ko pong mag training so i can work in a ship.

  35. genesis sanchez says:
    July 21st, 2010 at 2:21 pm - Edit

    san po ak pwedeng mag enroll?nearest po dito sa antipolo rizal?
    thanks and good bless

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