Annex 2 – Guidelines for Determination of Minimum Safe Manning

  1.1 The minimum safe manning of a ship should be established taking into account all relevant factors, including the following:

• .1 size and type of ship;

• .2 number, size and type of main propulsion units and auxiliaries;

• .3 level of ship automation;

• .4 construction and equipment of the ship;

• .5 method of maintenance used;

• .6 cargo to be carried;

• .7 frequency of port calls, length and nature of voyages to be undertaken;

• .8 trading area(s), waters and operations in which the ship is involved;

• .9 extent to which training activities are conducted on board;

• .10 degree of shoreside support provided to the ship by the company;

• .11 applicable work hour limits and/or rest requirements; and

• .12 the provisions of the approved Ship's Security Plan.

  1.2 The determination of the minimum safe manning of a ship should be based on performance of the functions at the appropriate level(s) of responsibility, as specified in the STCW Code, which include the following:

• .1 navigation, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to:

  • .1 plan and conduct safe navigation;

  • .2 maintain a safe navigational watch in accordance with the requirements of the STCW Code;

  • .3 manoeuvre and handle the ship in all conditions; and

  • .4 moor and unmoor the ship safely;

• .2 cargo handling and stowage, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to plan, monitor and ensure safe loading, stowage, securing, care during the voyage and unloading of cargo to be carried on the ship;

• .3 operation of the ship and care for persons on board, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to:

  • .1 maintain the safety and security of all persons on board and keep life-saving, fire-fighting and other safety systems in operational condition;

  • .2 operate and maintain all watertight closing arrangements;

  • .3 perform operations, as appropriate, to muster and disembark all persons on board;

  • .4 perform operations, as appropriate, to ensure protection of the marine environment;

  • .5 provide for medical care on board the ship; and

  • .6 undertake administrative tasks required for the safe operation and the security of the ship;

• .4 marine engineering, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to:

  • .1 operate and monitor the ship's main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and evaluate the performance of such machinery;

  • .2 maintain a safe engineering watch in accordance with the requirements of the STCW Code;

  • .3 manage and perform fuel and ballast operations; and

  • .4 maintain safety of the ship's engine equipment, systems and services;

• .5 electrical, electronic and control engineering, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to:

  • .1 operate the ship's electrical and electronic equipment; and

  • .2 maintain the safety of the ship's electrical and electronic systems;

• .6 radiocommunications, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to:

  • .1 transmit and receive information using the radio equipment of the ship;

  • .2 maintain a safe radio watch in accordance with the requirements of the ITU Radio Regulations and the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended; and

  • .3 provide radio services in emergencies; and

• .7 maintenance and repair, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to carry out maintenance and repair work to the ship and its machinery, equipment and systems, as appropriate to the method of maintenance and repair used.

  1.3 In addition to the factors and functions in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2, the determination of the minimum safe manning should also take into account:

• .1 the management of the safety, security and protection of the environment functions of a ship at sea when not under way;

• .2 except in ships of limited size, the provision of qualified deck officers to ensure that it is not necessary for the master to keep regular watches by adopting a three-watch system;

• .3 except in ships of limited propulsion power or operating under provisions for unattended machinery spaces, the provision of qualified engineer officers to ensure that it is not necessary for the chief engineer to keep regular watches by adopting a three-watch system;

• .4 the maintenance of applicable occupational health and hygiene standards on board; and

• .5 the provision of proper food and drinking water for all persons on board, as required.

  1.4 In determining the minimum safe manning of a ship, consideration should also be given to:

• .1 the number of qualified and other personnel required to meet peak workload situations and conditions, with due regard to the number of hours of shipboard duties and rest periods assigned to seafarers; and

• .2 the capability of the master and the ship's complement to coordinate the activities necessary for the safe operation and for the security of the ship and for the protection of the marine environment.