To All Seafarers of V. Ships Manila
(Pacific Ocean Manning Inc., Kestrel Shipping Inc., Northsea Marine Services Inc., Team Tankers Inc.)
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a large impact in the Philippines and globally. The emergence of new COVID-19 variants that are more contagious could lead to a higher likelihood of severe complications, hospitalization, and worst. The manning agencies Pacific Ocean Manning Inc., Kestrel Shipping Inc., Team Tankers Inc., and Northsea Marine Services Inc., under the V. Ships Manila group, recognizes the urgency of having you our seafarers to be vaccinated for the protection of yourselves and family members.
While we acknowledge the right of everyone that COVID-19 vaccination is a personal choice. As frontliners in the sector of maritime playing a critical role in the global economy, it is critical that you get vaccinated against COVID-19.
V. Ships Manila in recognition of the importance of COVID 19 vaccination, request our seafarers to:
- Immediately register through national vaccination platforms and obtain your COVID-19 shots. Vaccination platforms for seafarers can be done via:
- Through the MARINA vaccination program by registering yourselves at Filipino Seafarers COVID19 Vaccination Registration Portal (marina.gov.ph) or;
- Through your local government unit as category (A4) economic frontliner.
- Inform your crewing operator once you get vaccinated and provide us a copy of your vaccination card/certificate
For more information on COVID-19 vaccine and assistance you require to get vaccinated, please directly contact your crewing operator or reach out to our V.Crew Support Center:
V.Crew Support Center
Tel: +63 2 8858 9901
Whatsapp (Chat): +63 917 515 1234
Email: shelp@vships.com
Support Portal: https://support.vcrew.com
Many Thanks,
Capt. Levy Capayas
V. Ships Manila Operations Director
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I need to do to get vaccinated?
1. Immediately register through national vaccination platforms and obtain your COVID-19 shots. Vaccination platforms for seafarers can be done via:
a. Through the marina vaccination program by registering yourselves at Filipino Seafarers COVID19 Vaccination Registration Portal (marina.gov.ph) or;
b. Through your local government unit as category (A4) economic frontliner.
2. Inform your crewing operator once you get vaccinated and provide us a copy of your vaccination card/certificate
2. I've already been vaccinated what do I need to do?
Inform your crewing operator once you get vaccinated and provide us a copy of your vaccination card/certificate
3. I do not know who is my crew operator and their contact information.
You may contact the V.Crew support center for assistance.
4. I do not want to be vaccinated. Will that affect my line-up?
We acknowledge that getting vaccinated is a personal choice. However, we would request that you re-consider and get vaccinated for your safety and that of your family. Throughout the shipping industry, there are shipowners who would like their seafarers to be fully vaccinated.
5. Does v.ships offer its own vaccination program?
Vaccine availability for seafarers is readily available and is located in convenient locations for the seafarers. The company has not sought to procure its own vaccines at the moment is that the current national initiative through LGU's and MARINA is more conveniently accessed by seafarers as it is available close to where seafarer resides.
6. Our LGU does not have vaccines or limited vaccines that is why I'm not yet vaccinated.
You may also obtain a vaccine through MARINA. You may register at marina.gov.ph and select the vaccination center closes to you.
7. Vaccination of seafarers requires a line-up and to join within 3 months. I do not have a line-up, or my joining is more than 3 months away.
You may contact your crew operator to assist you in obtaining a schedule for vaccination in the MARINA program. You may also contact the V.Crew support center if your crew operator information is not known to you.
8. Can I choose a vaccine brand?
Vaccine jabs are given based on availability. There is no option to choose which vaccine brand will be given to you. However, all vaccines that are given in the national programme such as with the LGU and MARINA are WHO and FDA-approved vaccines that offer protection from COVID 19.
9. I'm joining in a port where the vaccine that has been given to me is not recognized by the country I'm joining. What should I do?
You may contact your crew operator to assist you in obtaining a schedule for vaccination in the MARINA program. You may also contact the V.Crew support center if your crew operator information is not known to you.
10. What are the available vaccination sites in MARINA?
There are many MARINA regional sites and AMOSUP facilities that have vaccination facilities. You may obtain the list of vaccination sites in the MARINA website.
11. MARINA sites are too far from me.
Where the LGU vaccination center is more convenient for you to take the COVID 19 vaccine, you may opt to get vaccinated there. Where you are unable to be scheduled soonest in your LGU for vaccination. It is worth considering getting scheduled and get vaccinated in the nearest MARINA vaccination center.
12. Does the company offer assistance for me to get vaccinated?
The company can facilitate cash advances on a case-to-case basis to provide financial support so you may be able to travel to a vaccination site for your vaccination. You may contact your crew operator directly and discuss the assistance you need.
13. Can my family members also be vaccinated?
Currently, the MARINA program for vaccination is limited only to seafarers. Your family members may avail of the vaccination in your LGU base on the category classification.