2010 Manila Amedments - Minimum Safe Manning Certificate

The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) in view of the concerns raised due to the entry into force of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code, the non- inclusion of the new STCW Regulations into the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSMC), and with the aim to provide a proper clarification on this matter, conducted the detailed review.

The following items were identified as items to be taken into consideration:

1. All STCW Regulations prior to the adoption of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) remain applicable in the amended convention.
2. The 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code brought the inclusion of new capacities (able seafarer deck, able seafarer engine, electro technical officers and electro technical rating) with new requirements and qualifications, these new capacities should not affect previous capacities contemplated in the STCW Convention prior to the newly adopted amendments mentioned in item 1.
3. Resolution MSC.1/Circ.1560 (Advice for parties, Administrations, Port State Control Authorities and Recognized Organizations on actions to be taken in cases where not all seafarers carry certificates and endorsements meeting the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code from 1 January 2017) clearly refers to the re-issuance of all Certificates of Endorsements (COE) in order to comply with the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code by 1 July 2017.
4. Resolution MSC.1/Circ.1560 does not include the necessity of the re-issuance of the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSMC) in order to incorporate new capacities in accordance with the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code.
5. The latest Resolution issued by the IMO was the Resolution A.1047(27) regarding the Principles of the Minimum Safe Manning. This resolution does not mention the necessity of the re-issuance of the MSMC when the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code enters into force.
6. According to the concerns raised, new capacities should only affect crew members certified in accordance with regulations II/4 – Ratings forming part of a navigational watch and Regulation III/4 – Ratings forming part of a watch in a manned engine-room or designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room due to inclusion of Regulation II/5 – Able Seafarer Deck and Regulation III/5 – Able Seafarer Engine.
   These two new regulations (II/5 and III/5) are for crew members with higher qualifications with respect to the other two regulations (II/4 and III/4); therefore, a MSMC issued under Regulations II/4 and III/4 clearly meets the requirements of the new regulations.

In light of the above and with the intention to avoid any non-desirable situation with PSC Authorities due to the uncertainty, to address all concerns, and to take preventive actions prior the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code and its entry into force, IMMARBE decided to process the re-issuance of existing MSMC with with the aim to incorporate new regulations in accordance with the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code.

The intention of this decision is to make reference to both regulations, but taking into consideration the existing crew members onboard currently certified under Regulations II/4 and III/4; therefore, all new and re-issued MSMC will contain the following information:

Watchkeeping Deck Rating – Reg. II/4 or II/5.

Watchkeeping Engine Rating – Reg. III/4 or III/5.

Any request for the re-issuance of the Minimum Safe Manning for the incorporation of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code regulations shall be addressed to registry@immarbe.com.ua or stcw@immarbe.com.ua

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Designated Office:

Tel/Fax:

+38 (0552) 415304

+38 (0552) 415305

E-mails:

registry@immarbe.com.ua  - for vessel registration matters;

stcw@immarbe.com.ua       - for officers certification matters.

Best Regards,

Marine Safety Management Ltd.