{"id":242,"date":"2026-04-10T13:42:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/?p=242"},"modified":"2026-04-10T13:42:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:42:46","slug":"wk-8-psc-focus-safe-manning-crew-certification-hours-of-rest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wk-8-psc-focus-safe-manning-crew-certification-hours-of-rest\/","title":{"rendered":"WK 8: PSC FOCUS- SAFE MANNING, CREW CERTIFICATION, HOURS OF REST."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(In accordance with STCW Convention, SOLAS and MLC 2006)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guidance addresses Port State Control  inspections related to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022          Certification of seafarers (STCW Convention)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022          Safe manning requirements (SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 14)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022          Crew welfare and hours of rest (MLC 2006, Regulation 2.7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The objective is to ensure that ships are operated by properly certificated, qualified and sufficiently rested personnel, capable of maintaining safe operations at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1.Safe Manning Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IMO Resolution A.1047(27) \u2013 Principles of Minimum Safe Manning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimum Safe Manning is required to ensure:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Safe navigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Safe watchkeeping<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Safe ship handling<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Safe emergency preparedness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Safe operation of machinery and engineering systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Protection of the marine environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Safe cargo operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Ship security<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Crew welfare<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    \u00a0Factors to be considered in determining MSM include:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Size and type of the ship<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Type of machinery and level of automation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Trading area and voyage pattern<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Type of cargo carried<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Frequency of port calls<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Maintenance requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Shipboard training activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Workload and compliance with hours of rest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      The PSCO shall examine:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022The Minimum Safe Manning Document<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022 The Muster List<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022 Crew composition and qualification<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Verification shall ensure:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022 The number and qualification of crew are in accordance with flag State requirements<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022 The vessel is capable of conducting the intended voyage safely<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Even where MSMD is available, the PSCO may assess whether:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The actual manning level is adequate, considering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Voyage duration \/\/ Area of operation \/\/ Type of ship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If the flag State cannot confirm adequacy of manning, a more detailed inspection may be conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      PSC Safe Manning Deficiencies:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Relevant Regulations:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      SOLAS V\/14 \/\/ STCW I\/4.2.2 \/\/ MLC Reg. 2.7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Minimum Safe Manning Document not available<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Manning not in accordance with MSMD requirements<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Insufficient number of crew for safe operation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Crew not qualified for assigned duties<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Unqualified personnel performing watchkeeping duties<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022 Absence of qualified GMDSS radio operator<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Crew composition not suitable for voyage \/ operation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Flag State not confirming safe manning when required<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Manning adjusted for convenience, not safety<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      2.Inspection of Certification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      During initial inspection, the Port State Control Officer  shall verify that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022 All seafarers hold valid CoC or CoP in accordance with STCW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Certificates are endorsed by the flag State, where required<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Certificates correspond to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1 The rank and function of the seafarer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2 The type and operation of the vessel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022Original certificates and endorsements are available onboard (including electronic format where permitted). Certificates contain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Unique identification numbers & Valid expiry dates<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      Any inconsistency, missing information, or incorrect format may raise suspicion of fraudulent certification, requiring further verification.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      PSC CREW Certification Deficiencies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Relevant Regulations:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      STCW Reg. I\/4.2.1 \/\/ Reg. I\/10 \/\/ Reg. VI\/1, VI\/3, VI\/4, VI\/6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          No Certificate of Competency  onboard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          No Certificate of Proficiency  available<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Missing flag State endorsement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          No proof of application for endorsement (CRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Certificates expired or invalid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Certificates not applicable to rank or duties<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Certificates issued by non-recognized administration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Missing mandatory STCW training certificates<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Crew not holding basic safety training certification<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Evidence or suspicion of fraudulent certificates<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Seafarer serving in higher capacity than certified<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      3.Hours of Rest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      All watchkeeping personnel and those assigned safety, security, or environmental duties shall comply with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Minimum 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Minimum 77 hours rest in any 7-day period<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The PSCO shall verify:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Posted watch schedules<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Records of hours of rest<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Consistency between records and actual operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Records shall be:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Maintained in a standardized format<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Available in the working language and in English<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Non-compliance, falsification, or absence of records constitutes a deficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      PSC WRH Deficiencies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Relevant Regulations:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      STCW Reg. I\/4.2.3 \u2013 I\/4.2.5 \/\/ STCW Code A-VIII\/1 \/\/ MLC 2006 (Hours of Rest \/ Work)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          No records of hours of rest maintained<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Records incomplete or improperly filled<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Records falsified or inconsistent with operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Crew receiving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022           Less than 10 hours rest in 24 hours<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Less than 77 hours rest in 7 days<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Watch schedule not posted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Watch schedule not followed in practice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Crew not fit for duty due to fatigue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      More Detailed Inspection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      A more detailed inspection may be carried out where clear grounds exist, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Doubt regarding crew competence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Non-compliance with watchkeeping standards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Evidence of unsafe operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Assessment may include:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Verification of certificates<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Practical demonstration of competence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Evaluation of emergency response capability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Such assessment is limited to standards defined in STCW Code Part A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

       Follow-Up Actions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Where deficiencies are identified:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          The flag State shall be notified<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          The Master shall be informed in writing by PSCO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022          Corrective actions shall be verified prior to departure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      If deficiencies are not rectified and safety is compromised, the vessel may be detained until compliance is achieved.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      (In accordance with STCW Convention, SOLAS and MLC 2006) This guidance addresses Port State Control  inspections related to: \u2022          Certification of seafarers (STCW Convention) \u2022          Safe manning requirements (SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 14) \u2022          Crew welfare and hours of rest (MLC 2006, Regulation 2.7) The objective is to ensure that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":243,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-psc-focus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":247,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242\/revisions\/247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}