Filipino seafarers who are on board ships with an expiring or expired Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB) or Seafarer's Identity Document (SID) will have its validity extended by up to one year from the date of expiry, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has said. The extension applies until MARINA's system for issuing the documents is fully restored.
The measure is set out in MARINA Advisory No. 2026-57, published on the agency's website on 13 October 2026 together with Advisory No. 2026-58. Both are signed by MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan.
Why the documents were delayed
MARINA has had trouble issuing Seafarer's Record Books (SRBs) and SIDs since August 2026. In a release on 31 August, it described the work as recovery of SID/SRB services following a cybersecurity incident. It said it had issued 2,492 certifications between 13 and 29 August to seafarers who needed to join ships urgently, and had already granted a one-year extension to expiring or expired SIRBs.
On 9 October MARINA said its processing centre at the regional office in La Union would resume SID and SRB processing on 10 October, and that pending applications affected by the downtime would be processed at no extra cost. Advisory 2026-57 speaks of a gradual restoration of the system.
Since 19 October 2026, seafarers can also ask for faster (expedited) processing at all MARINA regional offices, MARINA said in a notice on 14 October. The Central Office no longer takes expedite requests from seafarers whose first appointment was at another regional office.
What the two advisories say
Seafarers on board with an expiring or expired SID or SIRB: validity is extended for a maximum of one year from the date of expiry, until the system is fully restored and new documents can be issued.
Manning and shipping companies must report these seafarers to MARINA by email to mds@marina.gov.ph. The report must be signed by an authorised company representative or the master and follow the format in Annex I (name, rank, type of document, expiry date, ship, owner, IMO number and flag).
Seafarers on board who have lost or damaged their SRB, SID or SIRB: MARINA will issue a certification in place of the document, after checking records and receiving the usual onboard application documents.
When the system is fully restored, seafarers holding such certifications can book a regular appointment, now or after signing off, for photo and data capture and the release of their SRB or SID, with no additional cost.
Advisory 2026-58 asks licensed manning agencies, shipping companies, shipowners and operators, port State control authorities and others to recognise and accept the stamped extensions on SIRBs as valid and binding.
Advisory 2026-58 also notes that, under MARINA's rules for SRBs and SIDs (Memorandum Circular MD-2024-01), a valid SIRB continues to serve as a valid identity document of Filipino seafarers.
What it means for crews
If your SIRB or SID has expired or will expire during your contract, ask your manning agency to confirm that it has reported you to MARINA under Advisory 2026-57.
Keep a copy of both advisories on your phone or in print. Advisory 2026-58 is addressed to port State control authorities and can help if an inspector or immigration officer questions a stamped extension.
If your book or ID was lost or damaged on board, ask your company to apply for a MARINA certification in its place.
Once you are home, book a regular appointment for the new SRB or SID. MARINA says this comes at no additional cost for those affected.
If you must join a ship soon, apply on the MARINA Expedite Portal. You need a request letter from your company and a confirmed airline e-ticket. You also need an approved DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) contract, a notarised company contract or a certificate of employment, and a confirmed SID or SRB appointment. Wait for MARINA's email approval before you go to the office, and show it to the evaluator on the day.
MARINA has opened 2,450 extra appointments at its Central Office. They are on Saturdays only, from 24 October to 19 December 2026. You can book them for an SID, an SRB, or both. Book in the SID/SRB Online Appointment System with the eGovPH app, MARINA said on 20 October.
For the latest processing schedules, check MARINA's own website and official pages, not reposts in chat groups.
Cover photo: The Manila International Container Terminal in Tondo, Manila, seen from Binondo in June 2015. Illustrative photo. Photo: Patrick Roque/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped).
Sources: MARINA Advisory No. 2026-57: Delays in the issuance/reissuance of SRB and/or SID of Filipino seafarers (PDF), MARINA Advisory No. 2026-57, Annex I: report format (PDF), MARINA Advisory No. 2026-58: Recognition and acceptance of stamped extensions on SIRBs (PDF), MARINA: SID/SRB recovery as interim system goes live at Central Office (31 Aug 2026), MARINA: SID/SRB processing in La Union resumes 10 October (9 Oct 2026), Splash247: Philippines extends seafarer documents after system failure (14 Oct 2026), MARINA: Notice to the public on expedite processing (14 Oct 2026), MARINA: 2,450 additional SID and SRB appointment slots, 24 Oct to 19 Dec 2026 (20 Oct 2026).
