26.1.8 Schedule of Duties

 The Master should ensure that a schedule of duties is drawn up setting out the hours of work and rest periods for each of the crew. It is recommended that the table or schedule should be in a similar format to that detailed in Annex A of MSN 1767, and show:

• the schedule of duties at sea and duties in port; and
• the minimum hours of rest as defined by the guidelines.

In devising the schedule, operators should take account of factors such as:

• a) nature of the operation;

• b) type and size of vessel;

• c) construction and technical equipment of the vessel;

• d) manning levels and changes in crew numbers due to crew changes and sickness;

• e) the maximum period of continuous watchkeeping;

• f) minimum rest periods;

• g) total workload;

• h) compliance with the ISPS Code as applicable;

• i) the seriousness of irregular working hours and their contribution to causing fatigue and the importance of scheduling reasonably stable working hours.

Changes should not be made to the schedule of duties unless they can be justified by substantially altered work patterns or other significant factor.

Where it is known that a vessel engages in an irregular pattern or that working hours are unlikely to be uniform, this can be taken into account when considering the schedule.

It is not necessary to draw up a new schedule of duties for each voyage, so long as it is applicable to the voyage in question and the composition of the crew for whom it was originally intended has not changed.

A copy of the schedule should be made available to all members of the crew.