1 Submission from the company

1.1 Submission of a proposal from the company for minimum safe manning defining the nature of the operation of the ship.

1.2 Submission needs to take into account the requirements of Annexes 2 and 3 in the context of the management of the safety, security and protection of the marine environment functions of a ship.

1.3 The process outlined below should enable companies to achieve greater depth and insight into the interdependencies and interactions of operational elements that influence the amounts of crew member workload and, ultimately, the proposed minimum safe manning level.

Operational functions

1.4 Beginning this process requires the breakdown of the operational elements into functions. Annex 2 provides guidance on the relevant functions that need to be considered, however, this list is not exclusive. Each function can then be broken down into a task list that includes the attributes listed below.

.1 Duration: What is the time required to execute each task? Time in this case is measurement of total man hours versus the actual duration taken for task completion, since some tasks can be done in a shorter time by using multiple individuals.
.2 Frequency: How often is the task performed? This can be categorized using some form of standard interval (i.e. hourly, daily, weekly, etc.).
.3 Competence: What are the skills, training and qualifications needed to consistently perform the task properly?
.4 Importance: What is the risk or consequence associated with improper performance?

Operational factors

1.5 Once a function is broken down into specific tasks and their attributes, it is then necessary to determine the specific personnel qualifications, operational policy and procedures, and infrastructure/technology necessary to perform each task. It is important to recognize that these elements may increase or decrease manning levels depending on availability and appropriate procedures and of specific capability enabling technology/automation.

Task capability

1.6 The information generated in defining the operational factors and functions should be used to determine how many tasks that can be executed by an individual under the possible range of operational conditions. Critical considerations, while conducting this step, are human element limitations and relevant standards and regulations. These include sleep and circadian requirements, physical and mental workload associated with each task, and exposure limits to shipboard environmental conditions such as noise, temperature and toxins.

Workload assessments

1.7 Once steps relating to operational functions, operational factors and task capability have been conducted, the information is then used to determine whether workload will not exceed the minimum hours of rest and/or work as provided in relevant national and international regulations. Considerations, while performing this step, include work period lengths, work schedule designs and whether a single crew member can execute the tasks set in a specific work period or work period(s) per work day.