MANNING LEVELS FOR THE SHIP
Act on the manning of ships
Minimum safe manning document
The act on the manning of ships prescribes that, on all ships, there must be a master and in addition the crew necessary in consideration of the safety of human lives at sea.
Passenger ships, irrespective of size, cargo ships with a gross tonnage of or above 20 and cargo ships with a gross tonnage below 20 engaged on international voyages must hold a certificate issued by the Faroese Maritime Authority containing the minimum safe manning. It is issued in consideration of IMO resolution A.1047(27) on the manning of ships.
The minimum safe manning is established for each individual ship in consideration of the ship's type, arrangement, equipment, use and trade area so that the size and composition of the crew makes it possible to carry out all tasks of importance to the safety of the ship and those on board, including:
- maintenance of a safe bridge and engine watch;
- operation and maintenance of life-saving appliances;
- operation and maintenance of damage control, fire-extinguishing and communication equipment;
- other maintenance and cleaning of a safety-related nature;
- mooring operations;
- food and health conditions.
In addition, the following must be taken into consideration when determining the minimum safe manning:
- the watchkeeping arrangements on board;
- shift work;
- the actual working hours of each individual crew member;
- the provisions on rest hours in force; and
- the use of general purpose crews.
Complaint
The shipping company or the seafarer organisations have a possibility of bringing a minimum safe manning document before the Faroese Shipping Tribunal (Sjóvinnuráðið), which will take the final administrative decision on the composition of the crew.