MARITIME PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE OF PANAMA
FAQs
Questions before starting your training? Here are the common inquiries we get.
In Panama Republic of Panama, Urbanización Perejil, Calle 3ra. Edificio PH Barcelona, Local No. 1, Telephones No. (507) 373-4907, (507) 788-6592.
E-mail: info@mp-ip.edu.pa / Web Page: www.mp-ip.edu.pa
Maritime Professional Institute of Panama is accredited and licensed by Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) and General Directorate of the Merchant Marine of Honduras, which are responsible for Marine Education and Training. All Panamanian and Honduran certificates of competency are internationally recognized since Panama and Honduras are among the countries which fulfilled the provisions of the STCW Convention, as amended, known as the White List.
The Training Center accepts all Nationalities. It also helps them get entry visas to Panama, as well as accommodation.
An application form has to be completed by students and submitted to Registration Department.
Attendance in all classroom sessions and field evolutions is mandatory. A certificate of training will only be issued when a passing grade on written and practical testing is obtained.
If a student cannot complete a course for any reason, a student is permitted to register and return to complete the course within 12 months at no additional cost. If a student does not complete the course within 12 months, the entire course must be repeated.
Should a student be late to any class that part of class which was missed can be made up after hours at the sole discretion of the course Instructor.
Acts of God, transportation delays, sickness, or personal issues which cause a student to be late or absent are all situations which are outside of the control of Maritime Professional Institute of Panama and therefore are not the responsibility of Maritime Professional Institute of Panama.
Classroom sessions are casual dress. Firefighting field days, students must wear long pants, a shirt, and socks. Closed-toed shoes such as tennis shoes or boots are required. Flip flops, sandals, or other open-toed shoes are not allowed. Coveralls/boiler suits are recommended. During rescue boat or water survival training, students should bring a bathing suit, towel, and a change of clothing.
A pen, a pencil and a notebook. All other materials will be provided.
Not all of the information contained in Student Manuals/Handouts will be covered in class; therefore it is recommended reading all handouts in their entirety after class.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Maritime Professional Institute of Panama reserves the right to request a student to leave the premises because of misconduct in the classroom or during practical exercises. Misconduct is any action which is offensive to or jeopardizes the safety of students, instructors, or any other persons.
In order to provide an environment free of unnecessary disruption, we ask that you please turn phones off. The office staff will take messages if you wish.
Certain courses have sea time requirements. These requirements are the policies of the flag state administration. Only official sea time letters or Mariner’s discharge papers are acceptable forms of sea time.
Course records are kept on file for a minimum of 5 years. Should you lose your certificate? a certified copy can be produced for you at a nominal fee.
STCW is an acronym for “Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping”. Many people confuse the code itself for the requirement for Basic Training in Safety – often referred to as STCW Training, or STCW Basic Safety Training. STCW Code History: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held a convention to improve the worldwide standards for safety and training of professional mariners in 1978. The Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention established a code adopted by many nations on July 7th, 1978 and was named the Seafarers Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code. Subsequent conventions were held in 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2010 to update and revise the code.
Port and Flag State Control are key elements in fulfilling the revisions of the STCW Code. Port State Control is the authority an administration has over vessels operating within their waters (jurisdiction) regardless of Flag. In a nutshell, Port State Control is the oversight and inspections conducted by the administration of the port on a vessel entering their port.
The revised Chapter of STCW includes enhanced procedures concerning the exercise of Port State to allow intervention in the case of deficiencies deemed to pose a danger to persons, property or the environment (regulation I/4). This can take place if certificates are not in order or if the ship is involved in a collision or grounding, if there is an illegal discharge of substances (causing pollution) or if the ship is maneuvered in an erratic or unsafe manner, etc. Flag State Control is the authority an administration has over vessels with their own registration (flag) regardless of where they are operating.
Restrictions apply according to the currently payment, cancellation, return policy and the refund request form that must be filled out and submitted to the administration of the MPIP Institute.
Cash, bank transfer, bank deposit and credit card. Checks are not accepted for security reasons.
After confirmation of booked courses an invoice will be issue and send by e-mail. Payment should be made in full before starting the course.
At least the 4BST are mandatory for anyone who wants to board offshore vessels for more than 72 hours. Many companies require them even for short boarding periods and other special courses according to the type of vessel.
Documents vary form course to course. These are normally: ID or Passport for foreigners and medical certificate clearing for exercises. These documents must be handed physically or scanned and emailed prior to starting the course.
Most of the times the certificates are issued the same day the student finishes the course. International renovation of certificates takes around 3-4 days to be issued.
Yes, it can be mailed overseas or printed in pdf. We recommend registered mail or private postal services. This can be arranged and paid for it during or after the course.
STCW Courses certificates issued by Maritime Professional Institute of Panama (MPIP) full fills minimum requirements of Regulation, Section and Table of the STCW Code on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW 1978, as amended also recognized by IMO (International Maritime Organization) and valid worldwide.
The short answer is: If the certificate has an expiry date printed on it, it will not be valid after that specific date and refresher training (if available) is required for that course or to take the course again.
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