Board for Marine Deck Officers Code of Ethics
Article I
GENERAL PROVISION
The Merchant Marine Deck Officer has a moral obligation and social responsibility to practice his profession according to a Code of Ethics and Conduct. Every Merchant Marine Deck Officer shall regard the Code of Ethics as a way of life which has its foundation in Honesty, Truth, Justice, Integrity, and Love of the Country, not as a set of rules which should strictly be observed. Professionalism is the keystone of every Merchant Marine Deck Officer in the conduct of his profession and above all upholds the honor and dignity of every Filipino Merchant Marine Deck Officer.
Article II
RELATION TO THE PROFESSION
a) A deck officer shall strive to elevate, maintain and contribute to the honor and dignity of the profession.
b) He shall conduct himself with the traditional decorum of an officer and a gentleman, restraining himself from all acts contrary to the established rules of morality and personal discipline.
c) He shall continually improve his professional competency by keeping up to date with the latest technological and scientific knowledge being applied in the marine fields.
d) It shall be his obligation to keep himself prepared for the next higher license through reading, diligent studies and keen observation of the shipboard activities.
e) He shall make financial gain secondary only to the service that the entire profession can render to the economic growth of the country.
f) A deck officer shall not hesitate to consult his fellow deck officers in matters that will affect the honor and integrity of the deck officer’s profession.
g) He shall expose, without fear or favor, to the proper authorities of the profession; corrupt or dishonest conduct of members of the profession whose existing practices can degrade the reputation of other practitioners.
h) Every deck officer should aid in safeguarding the profession against the admission to its ranks of
persons who are unfit or unqualified in moral character or professional training.
persons who are unfit or unqualified in moral character or professional training.
This Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of Merchant Marine Deck Officers are hereby adopted pursuant to R.A. 8544 known as the Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998 under Section 40: “The Integrated and Accredited Maritime Association of Marine Deck Officer shall prescribe a Code of Ethics for Marine Deck Officer which shall be adopted by the Board of Marine Deck Officers and approved by the Commission.”
Article III
RELATION TO THE STATE
a) A Deck Officer, in his capacity as a person of high technical potentialities and delegated with leadership for the discipline of his men, shall recognize and respect the supreme authority of the State.
b) A Deck Officer shall strive to become an exemplary citizen by the devoted or fruitful fulfillment of his civic duties.
c) He shall perform his professional duties in conformity with the existing laws.
d) He shall endeavor to assist and cooperate with proper authorities in the enforcement of maritime and customs regulations.
e) He shall offer to the State his full knowledge and experience in the interest of national security and especially in time of national emergency.
Article IV
RELATION TO THE COMMUNITY
a) Every deck officer shall compose himself as an officer and a gentleman, and act honorably when dealing with the general public.
b) He should be concerned foremost with the safety of every man, woman and child who boards the ship as a passenger by following all safety measures prescribed for shipboard use.
c) He shall contribute his professional knowledge for the general public welfare and comfort of the riding public to gain their respect and confidence.
d) He shall, above all, continually consider the preservation of life, health and poverty, even at the risk of his own life, to enhance the sense of public interest that is an integral obligation of the profession.
Article V
DUTY TO A SUPERIOR
a) Marine officers in a subordinate capacity shall always render the traditional respect to a superior officer.
b) Subordinate shall render the necessary assistance, if possible above and beyond the call of duty, so that their superior, or the entire organization, can be assured of a successful operation of his assigned duties.
c) subordinate shall strive to gain the confidence and respect of his superior through a prompt and efficient performance of his assigned duties.
d) A marine officer shall promptly and efficiently follow and obey all lawful orders of his superior without questioning his integrity.
e) A subordinate must always remember that he can only give recommendation to his superior and that final decision must be left to his superior's discretion.
f) A subordinate must always remember the command responsibility of a superior and must give the proper assistance within or beyond his specific duties.
g) A subordinate should never openly criticize the actuation of his superior with other subordinate officer, more particularly with unlicensed personnel.
h) In the event of inquiries he should only state actual facts but never his opinion as to whether his superior is right or wrong.
Article VI
RELATION TO THE SUBORDINATE
a) A superior officer shall always conduct himself with the proper decorum in his acts or deeds and thoughts to set an example for his subordinate befitting his rank or designation.
b) He should give the necessary training, guidance and opportunities for the improvement of his subordinate’s competency and especially to overcome his shortcoming demanded by his license as a deck officer.
c) He should continually mold the character of his subordinate to impress the importance of command responsibility.
d) He should give merits unselfishly when due, to inspire his subordinates to achieve greater result.
e) He should not hesitate to listen to the advice of his subordinates but to exercise discretion before implementation.
f) He should not hesitate to admit errors in his decision when it is obvious, but it must be done within the circle of staff.
Article VII
RELATION TO HIS FELLOW-PRACTITIONER
a) Every deck officer should work together in mutual cooperation and harmonious relationship by sharing individual knowledge for professional advancement.
b) He should associate himself with his colleagues in any reputable and recognized marine society to further broaden his knowledge.
c) He should never attempt to issue statements to the general public concerning the shortcoming of his fellow officer.
d) The following specified acts of a deck officer shall be deemed to be unethical as a breach of professional ethics, subject to immediate actions:
1) Open criticism of a fellow officer without knowledge of the other.
2) Spreading false information on the professional competency and ability of other practitioners.
3) Degrading a colleague in order to acquire his position.
4) False recommendation on the competency of another officer.
5) Maliciously withholding information or knowledge to place others in a controversial situation.
6) Tending to accept a position lower than his highest license to displace another officer applying for the same.
7) Exerting political influence to displace a co-marine officer or engineer.
8) Certifying that he can work better or could render service more satisfactorily than another.
9) Openly expressing that he holds exclusive methods of practice or style of service.
Article VIII
AMENDMENTS
The Board of Directors of the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines Incorporated by majority vote of all the Directors may amend or repeal the code or adopt a new Code of Ethics of the Merchant Marine Deck Officer in the Philippines subject to the review of the Board of Marine Deck Officer and approval by the Commission.
Article IX
PENAL PROVISION
This Code of Ethics shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Code or any newspaper of general circulation to have the force and effect of Law. Copies of the Code shall be distributed every year to all Merchant Marine Deck Officer during the annual Conference Workshop conducted by the Integrated and accredited professional Merchant Marine Deck Officer (Master and Mates Association of the Philippines, Inc.) for proper information and guidance of all Merchant Marine both in public and government service and be distributed among all Merchant Marine Deck Officers immediately following their oath taking. It shall be included in the curriculum of all Maritime Institutions as part of the course of study in ship’s familiarization, ethics and Maritime laws. Violations of any of the provision of the Code of Ethics shall constitute unethical and unprofessional conduct and therefore garner sufficient grounds for reprimand, suspension or revocation of the certificate of registration and certificate of competency of the offending Merchant Marine Deck Officer in accordance with the provision of Article IX Section 37 of R.A. 8544 known as the Philippine Merchant Marine Officers Act of 1998.
Article X
EFFECTIVITY
This Code shall take effect after approval by the Professional Regulation Commission and after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation whichever comes first.
