I was browsing the net one Thursday morning and found this simple short poem from http://ofw-bagongbayani.com.
Kung may sariling
Noon ay sabik ka sa pagbabalita
Ayon sa telegram
tanggap na't sa Linggo
ang iyong simula;
Ngayon ay sabik kang matanaw ang lupa
Kalaban sa barko,
hindi pagod kundi
ang pangungulila...
Finally, I was able to get my Certificate of Competency (COC) as a Messman at TESDA Manila. The competency exam was taken by me two weeks before this release. As of this time, COC will be I think is the last certification I will be getting.
COC FEE
I don’t expect that still there is something that I’ll be paying when this paper is released. During the competency exam, the assessor did mention about this. All I thought is that when I get there and handed the competency receipt copy, there will no added fee for it because we are already paying for that at the center. This is not clearly explained at the assessment center. They are not telling that aside from the assessment fee, trainee will be paying 50 pesos COC release fee. I think this is also what happened in the other assessment center because there’s one mariner whom I talk to and he’s from other assessment center. And also did not expect to be collected by TESDA fee again.
THE UNITS OF COMPETENCY
> These are the units of competency written in the certificate
> Preparing food
> Maintaining cleanliness in the accommodation areas
> Performing victualing services
> Performing dining hall services
> Maintaining galley equipment & utensils
> Taking precautions to protect marine environment
> Launching lifeboat/liferaft
> Performing survival techniques during ship abandonment
> Preventing and fighting fire
These units here written are the overall summary of the two previous trainings that a trainee is required before he take the assessment for the position as a messman. The last 4 units written here were taken during the Basic Safety Training (BSC/PSSR) course. And the first 4 units written were taken during the Messman Course training.
The certificate’s validity good for 5 years and after these you need to renew your certificate. That is if you’re still working on board in the same position as messman.
COC is the must have competency test for every man or woman wanted to work on board ship. It is a skill test of a kind of position that you’re aiming for to work with on board. I don’t know if how many are there positions TESDA have, but I think in every position there is a corresponding competency test.
Before you can take the assessment test, first you must complete the training course for MESSMAN. The training course is just a short course which only takes 4 days to complete. And the cost for this is around P2,000 up, really depend on the training center where you enrolled the course.
THE
There are many assessment centers that you can choose from to where you are going to take the competency test. And I believe that assessment centers have their own cost of payment. I heard that every center differ its test fee. I don’t know how true this is because I was not able to inquire from other centers.
The assessment center that I choose to take the test was at
REQUIREMENTS IN TAKING THE TEST
For applicants in positions steward (chief), cook (chief, second/asst/cook), MESSMAN, waiter/waitress, bartender, housekeeping/cabin steward.
I. Performance (new)
1. 2 application forms (properly filled up)
2. 3 ID pictures Passport size, White background, White polo shirt with collar.
3. 2 copies of Medical Certificate – TESDA, DOH, POEA accredited, downloadable certification from TESDA, and valid for 3 months.
4. Training certificate on BASIC SAFETY COURSE/PSSR and messman course / stewarding course / culinary course (whichever is applicable)
5. If with work experience – Training certificate on: messman/stewarding/culinary course (whichever is applicable) – 2 copies.
6. Seaman’s Book (SIRB)
7. SRC – 2 copies.
II. TESDA FEE
Note: Bring all the original documents.
I paid P800 when I applied for the assessment test after filling up the 2 application forms together with the photocopies of all necessary requirements. After I pay the corresponding fee, I was then informed of the available exam schedule. After choosing an exam day, I was told to come back on my chosen schedule.
Overcapacity Of 10,000 Vessels In Shipping Industry
The global shipping industry is said to be facing the problem of over-capacity in ocean vessels. It estimates that up to 1,000 are lying idle.
In a startling assessment of the current situation, Det Norske Veritas said that the number of cancellations was likely to rocket over the coming months. These cancellations are the cut of “number of orders” to ship builders. The Norwegian class society has seen 43 of its own vessels canceled over the year.
DNV said that if by 2013, if the global economy remained stagnant, there could be over 3,000 ships scrapped, 1,444 canceled and over 6,000 ships either in lay-up, slow steaming, or idling.
This is happening in effect to the crisis of the global economy. If the world economy continues to decline, the figure of 10,000 vessels could skyrocket to 12,000 after 2010. But, if the economy is to increase, there still could be an overcapacity of ships.
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Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that “Piracy is a treat to the international community, including
What is PSCRB?
PSCRB stands for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat. At this training, we learned about Safety Guide Lines, Ship Emergencies, Abandoning the Ship, Personal Lifesaving Appliances, Rescue Operation, Life Boats, Life Boat Launching Devices / Appliances, Life Rafts, Location Aids, Signals and Signs in an Emergency.
There are lots of topics covers on this training, about 10. These are the topics I’ve mentioned above. But, are these topics all been tackled during the whole training session? Yes, but as what I had recalled was that some of the topics were not teach thoroughly, that’s what I think on my part. Maybe it’s because of the type of instructor. The teaching, I think really depends on the kind of teacher or instructor, on how he/she best delivers the topics.
My Instructor
Maybe, I was not lucky at that time to not been assigned to a good instructor. Our teacher at that time was boring. Sorry sir ??, but at that time, I see him doing not so good and not able to dig a certain topic to a point that none-marine course graduate trainees can understand. He was just too boring teacher (for me.)
The Training Sessions
The lecture session of this training took 3 days to finish and about 5-6 hours lecture each day. On the fourth day is the practicum day in which all trainees including that of other sections in the same batch will be doing the actual exercises about PSCRB. This is where the fun and excitement on what we will be encountering at time when we’re on board the ship.
After all, this training is just a little background on all trainees who are planning to go on board a ship. But, also it is important to not just take this training on an easy way. Who knows, one day when you’re on board and encounter the actual situation and you don’t know what to do just because during the training you did not give much attention on what the trainers are teaching. The important thing is that after you finished the training course, you can consider yourself as competent. If we have the knowledge on the topics, understand what we’ve learned, and apply what we have acquired at lecture sessions, then we can consider ourselves a competent one.
Competent = Knowledge + Understanding + Practical
This training is really about SURVIVAL where seafarer struggles to stay alive in time of emergency and when life is threatened on board a ship.
Mabuhay!!!
The Basic Seaman's Course
BST or basic seaman's course is the first program for any Filipino, man or woman, who wanted to work in a ship abroad. I enrolled this course at Far East Maritime Foundation, Inc. This is not the first time that I'd to take this course because 2002, I have had taken this course already during the time of my first interest in working in cruise ships.
What is this BST?
This is an eight-day course consisting of four different modules.
1. Elementary First Aid - the trainee should be able learn how to take immediate action upon encountering an accident or medical emergency on board.
2. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting - trainee will have the knowledge about fire prevention. He is able to take appropriate measures for the safety of all crew and of the ship.
3. Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities - trainee will be able to know about marine pollution which is prevention of pollution in maritime environment and about effective human relationship on board.
4. Proficiency in Personal Survival Technique - Trainee will be able to react in a correct manner during emergency situations. Be able to use survival equipment correctly for his survival and to the survival of other crew and passengers.
The whole period of the course was full of fun. Our batch mates consist of professionals from many fields. Some are ex-abroad and I think there are eight of them, mostly from the
What is important in this training is that we the trainees should be able to perform what we've learned during the training period, I hope so. What the ex-crews are saying is that the situation when your on ship already is very different, but at the least we have already the knowledge and skills we can apply on board.
Huh! Ang hirap mag-ingles. Ngunit susubukan kong sa ingles ang aking mga ilalathala dito.
Maraming salamat sa lahat ng makakabasa sa unang artikulo kong ito.
Kung mayroon kayong nais sasabihin (maganda man o hindi) ay huwag mag-atubiling magkumento sa aking mga inilathalang mga artikulo.
