The Maritime Industry Authority on Sunday announced that it is prioritizing those seafarers that are already set for leaving and urged first-time seafarers not to cram in getting Seaman's Record Book, also known as Seaman's Book, if they don't have yet sure flights.

In an interview, Lui de los Santos, director of Planning and Policy Service- Public Affairs and Digital Media Office, also dispelled anew rumors proliferating on Facebook that there is a scarcity of Seaman's Book, making seafarers have a hard time booking schedules online.

De los Santos clarified that what actually has a "shortage" now is the Seafarers Identity Document or SID, a document that goes along with the Seaman's Book for first-timers.

"Priority for the issuance of SID cards is given to seafarers who are joining their ships. Marina assures that our seafarers due for deployment are issued the SRB and SID cards. Hence, there is a need to control our issuances, now," De los Santos said.

He explained that the delivery of the microchip from Europe used in the SID now takes 14 months from the usual 6-8 months due to the ongoing tension in Ukraine, that's why releasing them to seafarers is challenging now.

"There is an expected delivery of SID cards by December and Marina expects to increase the level of its SID issuance once SID supplies arrive in the country. Delay in the delivery is attributed to the global scarcity of chips because of the health pandemic and the current security situation in Eastern Europe," De los Santos said.

The SID, complementing the existing "SRB," is a maritime security document developed by the International Labor Organization as a response to the increased need for security at seaports because of the series of terrorist attacks that ensued following the 9/11 incident in the United States of America that rippled across the globe.

The Marina Central Office and all its Regional Offices nationwide issue SID cards which can be applied online.

To recall, a video post on Facebook circulating online showed that a seafarer lamented that he was not able to book an appointment online in Marina satellite offices, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, SM Malls, even in Central Office in Port Area, Manila and other regions including Visayas where he is situated.