# The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022, Regulation 55: Safe manning document


(1) This regulation applies to—
(a) passenger ships engaged on international voyages;
(b) passenger ships of 500 GT or more engaged on voyages that are not international voyages; and
(c) ships of 500 GT or more that are not passenger ships.
(2) A company must ensure that—
(a) a safe manning document is in force in respect of the ship and the manning of the ship;
(b) the safe manning document is kept on board the ship at all times; and
(c) the manning of the ship is maintained at all times to at least the levels specified in the safe manning document.
(3) The master of a ship to which this regulation applies must ensure that the ship does not proceed to sea unless there is on board a valid safe manning document issued in respect of the ship and the manning of the ship complies with that document.
(4) A company applying for a safe manning document in respect of a ship that is registered in the United Kingdom must submit to the Secretary of State proposals as to the numbers and grade of seafarer it considers must be carried so that the ship is safely manned if it proceeded to sea on an intended voyage.
(5) An application for a safe manning document required by this regulation must be in a form specified by the Secretary of State.
(6) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to companies on safe manning to assist them in preparing proposals under paragraph (4).
(7) The Secretary of State may issue a safe manning document to a ship that is registered in the United Kingdom if satisfied that—
(a) the proposals provided pursuant to paragraph (4) meet the requirements of IMO Resolution A.1047(27) (principles of safe manning); and
(b) the prescribed fee has been paid.
(8) A company must notify the Secretary of State as soon as there is any change in the circumstances which are pertinent to a safe manning document issued by the Secretary of State.
(9) Upon receipt of notification by a company under paragraph (8), the Secretary of State may review the document’s continuing validity or approve fresh proposals from the company.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2022/9780348240368/regulation/55 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-merchant-shipping-standards-of-training-certification-and-watchkeeping-regulations-2022/regulation-55
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.