3 Principles of minimum safe manning
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.1047(27) – Principles of Minimum Safe Manning – (Adopted on 30 November 2011) - Annex 1 – Guidelines for the Application of Principles of Minimum Safe Manning - 3 Principles of minimum safe manning

3 Principles of minimum safe manning

  3.1 The following principles should be observed in determining the minimum safe manning of a ship:

  • .1 the capability to:

    • .1 maintain safe navigational, port, engineering and radio watches in accordance with regulation VIII/2 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, and also maintain general surveillance of the ship;

    • .2 moor and unmoor the ship safely;

    • .3 manage the safety functions of the ship when employed in a stationary or near-stationary mode at sea;

    • .4 perform operations, as appropriate, for the prevention of damage to the marine environment;

    • .5 maintain the safety arrangements and the cleanliness of all accessible spaces to minimize the risk of fire;

    • .6 provide for medical care on board ship;

    • .7 ensure safe carriage of cargo during transit;

    • .8 inspect and maintain, as appropriate, the structural integrity of the ship; and

    • .9 operate in accordance with the approved Ship's Security Plan; and

  • .2 the ability to:

    • .1 operate all watertight closing arrangements and maintain them in effective condition, and also deploy a competent damage control party;

    • .2 operate all onboard fire-fighting and emergency equipment and life-saving appliances, carry out such maintenance of this equipment as is required to be done at sea, and muster and disembark all persons on board; and

    • .3 operate the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery including pollution prevention equipment and maintain them in a safe condition to enable the ship to overcome the foreseeable perils of the voyage.

  3.2 The following onboard functions, when applicable, should also be taken into account:

  • .1 ongoing training requirements for all personnel, including the operation and use of fire-fighting and emergency equipment, life-saving appliances and watertight closing arrangements;

  • .2 specialized training requirements for particular types of ships and in instances where crew members are engaged in shipboard tasks that cross departmental boundaries;

  • .3 provision of proper food and drinking water;

  • .4 need to undertake emergency duties and responsibilities; and

  • .5 need to provide training opportunities for entrant seafarers to allow them to gain the training and experience needed.

Parent topic: Annex 1 – Guidelines for the Application of Principles of Minimum Safe Manning
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