Panama – Manning and supervision of survival craft

C23066 | 15 November 2023

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors/ Auditors

This circular is issued to advise that the Panama Maritime Authority has issued Merchant Marine Circular MMC-68 detailing the Flag’s specific requirements for the manning and supervision of survival craft, under SOLAS Chapter 3, Regulation 10.

Points to note are:

Each lifeboat’s manning must include at least the following number of Deck Officers/certified persons:

• Lifeboat complement less than 41 persons : 2  Deck Officers/certificated persons.
• Lifeboat complement 41 to 61 persons : 3 Deck Officers/certificated persons.
• Lifeboat complement 62 to 85 persons : 4 Deck Officers/certificated persons.
• Lifeboat complement above 85 persons : 5 Deck Officers/certificated persons.

Except for passenger ships, there should be at least one certificated person assigned in command, and one certificated person as second-in-command, for operating and launching each lifeboat.

There should be a deck officer or certificated person placed in charge of each liferaft, where carried onboard in addition to Lifeboats.

Capable persons are to be assigned to operate:

• the survival craft radio equipment; and
• the engine and carrying out minor adjustments (in the case of lifeboats)’

The Muster List is to specify which Deck Officer and/or certificated persons are assigned duties, and which are their substitutes, to ensure that the survival crafts are maintained in good condition and ready for immediate use at all times.

Act now

Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators should ensure that each ship is manned with the appropriate number of Deck Officers/certified persons/capable persons to comply with the Panama requirements and that the Muster List clearly
indicates the assigned persons.

Surveyors/Auditors should check these details when attending onboard.