A crew change means signing seafarers off and on a vessel while it is in port, legally and without delaying the ship. V. Faytaren Shipping Agency handles crew changes at Batangas and other Philippine ports, including clearances from the Bureau of Immigration, Customs and Quarantine, and transport between the vessel and the airport.
See the work: Seafarers transferring between the pier and their vessel.
What our crew change service covers
The Philippines supplies a large share of the world's seafarers, so crew changes here are routine. Routine does not mean simple, though. Each crew member leaving or joining a foreign vessel needs to be cleared by Immigration, their baggage may need Customs attention, and Quarantine has its own requirements. Miss one step and a seafarer can be stuck at the gate while the ship waits.
We take care of the whole sequence. Our liaison officers prepare the paperwork ahead of time, meet the crew, arrange a launch if the vessel is at anchor, and handle land transport to and from the airport or hotel. If a crew member is sick or injured, we arrange medical attention and keep the owners informed.
The same team processes visas for owner's representatives, engineers and technicians who need to attend a vessel while it is in Philippine waters, and we handle mail and ship's spare parts arriving for transshipment.
What we handle
- Sign-on and sign-off of crew members
- Bureau of Immigration clearances for joining and leaving crew
- Customs and Quarantine clearances
- Launch service to vessels at anchor
- Transport between the vessel, hotel and airport
- Medical services and hospital visits for sick crew
- Visa processing for owner's representatives, engineers and technicians
- Mail delivery and spare parts for transshipment
How it works
Crew list
Send us the names, nationalities, travel details and documents of the joining and leaving crew.
Clearances
We prepare and file the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine documents before the vessel arrives.
Changeover
We meet the crew, move them to and from the vessel, and stay with them until the change is complete.
Onward travel
Off-signers are taken to the airport or hotel, and we confirm completion to the owners or manning agency.
Ports where we provide this service
Our home port is Batangas, including the government pier and the private terminals around Batangas Bay. We also serve these Philippine ports:
- Batangas
- Manila
- Subic
- Bataan
- Quezon
- La Union
- Cagayan
- Cebu
- Samar
- Leyte
- Davao
See all ports and Batangas terminals
Why principals choose V. Faytaren Shipping Agency
We have worked at the Port of Batangas since 1976. The agency is registered with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), holds a Philippine Ports Authority permit to operate as ship's agent, is accredited by the Bureau of Customs and is a member of the Philippine Ship Agents Association. Our day-to-day working relationships with Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, the Coast Guard, the pilots and the terminals are what keep your vessel moving.
View our permits and accreditation
Frequently asked questions
Can you handle a crew change if the vessel is at anchor?
Yes. We arrange a launch to take crew between the shore and the vessel, along with the clearances needed for an anchorage crew change.
Do you help foreign technicians who need to board a vessel?
Yes. We process visas and clearances for owner's representatives, engineers and technicians attending a vessel in Philippine waters.
What happens if a crew member gets sick in port?
We arrange a doctor or hospital visit, handle the transport and clearances, and keep the master and owners updated until the crew member is cleared or repatriated.
Which ports do you handle crew changes in?
Batangas is our home port, and we also cover Manila, Subic, Bataan, Quezon, La Union, Cagayan, Cebu, Davao, Samar and Leyte.
