43c/SConf/Report Annex 2


Motion 20: Shipboard Workload, Fatigue and Manning


The 43rd Congress of the ITF, meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria from 10-­‐16 August 2014: 1. Recognizing that impaired performance as a result of excessive workload and fatigue caused by under manning of ships and long periods of service are a widespread problem within the maritime sector that results in accidents endangering the lives of seafarers, the safety of shipping and the protection of the marine environment.


2. Further recognizing that shipboard manning levels are often set at unrealistically low numbers by national governments to attract ship owners to their registry to gain a competitive advantage.


3. Noting that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recently addressed the problem of undermanned ships by adopting IMO Resolution A.1047(27) “Principles of Minimum Safe Manning” that come into force on 1 January 2014 that takes into consideration the actual operating conditions existing aboard a particular ship to ensure it is sufficiently, effectively and efficiently manned to provide safety and security of the ship, safe navigation and operations at sea, safe operations in port, prevention of human injury or loss of life, the avoidance of damage to the marine environment and to property, and to ensure the welfare and health of seafarers through the avoidance of fatigue.


4. Noting further that the IMO in a companion move amended the SOLAS Convention, Chapter V, Regulation V/14 to require that national governments shall establish manning levels following a transparent procedure that takes into account the “Principles of Minimum Safe Manning” in IMO Resolution A.1047(27).


5. Concerned that not all ship owners and national governments are fully aware of and will actively implement the new provisions for establishing appropriate manning levels that take into account actual operating conditions existing aboard ships in a transparent procedure capable of being monitored.


6. Calls upon:


• The ITF Secretariat to make all affiliates representing seafarers fully aware of the new international requirements for determining manning levels.


• The ITF Secretariat to initiate a campaign to ensure that ship owners and flag State administrations responsible for establishing manning levels adhere to the new international requirements in an open and transparent process.


• The ITF Secretariat and all affiliates representing seafarers to insist that national regulatory authorities fully implement the new provisions regarding the establishment of shipboard manning levels and that documentation be carried on board indicating in a transparent manner the operating conditions or limitations and shorter periods of service are taken into account in establishing the minimum safe manning levels.


Submitted by: Mike Murphy, American Maritime Officers (AMO) on behalf of ITF Maritime Safety Committee


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