Principles of Minimum Safe Manning (A.1047(27))

Overview

The Resolution A.27/Res.1047 (adopted 30 November 2011) establishes the Principles of Minimum Safe Manning (MSM) for ships, recognizing that safe manning depends on having a sufficient number of qualified and experienced seafarers to ensure safety, security, and environmental protection. It references key IMO instruments and SOLAS/ISPS requirements, including SOLAS V/14 (safe manning document) and SOLAS XI-2 for ship security. The resolution promotes a framework that can be applied broadly (goal-based, adaptable to ship type) to improve maritime safety, security, and environmental protection, and directs the Maritime Safety Committee to review and amend as needed. It also revokes earlier resolutions A.890(21) and A.955(23).

Annex 1: Guidelines for the application of principles of minimum safe manning

  1. Introduction: Administrations may retain or adopt arrangements differing from these guidelines if they ensure at least equivalent safety.
  2. Objectives: Achieve ship safety, secure operations at sea and in port, prevent injuries and environmental damage, and ensure seafarer welfare and fatigue management through a goal-based approach, standard procedures, and enforcement.
  3. Principles of MSM:
  • The ship must have the capability to:
    a) maintain safe navigational, port, engineering and radio watches and general ship surveillance;
    b) moor and unmoor safely;
    c) manage safety functions in stationary/near-stationary mode at sea;
    d) prevent damage to the marine environment;
    e) maintain safety arrangements and cleanliness to minimize fire risk;
    f) provide onboard medical care;
    g) ensure safe carriage of cargo;
    h) inspect and maintain structural integrity;
    i) operate in accordance with the approved Ship’s Security Plan.
  • The ship must have the ability to:
    a) operate watertight closures and deploy a damage control party;
    b) operate firefighting and life-saving systems, maintain them, and muster/disembark personnel;
    c) operate main propulsion, auxiliaries, and pollution prevention equipment to withstand foreseeable voyage perils.
    3.2 Onboard functions (where applicable): ongoing training for all personnel (fire, safety, life-saving, watertight closures); specialized training for certain ship types; provision of food and drinking water; emergency duties; training opportunities for entrant seafarers.

Annex 2: Guidelines for determination of minimum safe manning

1.1 Factors to consider when establishing MSM: ship size/type, main propulsion and auxiliaries, level of automation, construction/equipment, maintenance approach, cargo, port calls and voyage length, trading areas, training on board, shore support, work/rest hours, and the Ship’s Security Plan.
1.2 MSM should reflect the levels of responsibility defined in the STCW Code (navigation, cargo handling, ship operation and care of persons, marine engineering, electrical/electronic/control engineering, radiocommunications, maintenance/repair).
1.3 In addition to factors above, determine MSM by considering safety/security/environment management at sea, avoiding unnecessary regular watches in every case, ensuring adequate crew for medical care, and food/equipment provisions; account for peak workloads and proper coordination among masters and crew.
1.4 Consider training, food/drinking water, emergency duties, and training opportunities for new entrants when determining MSM.

Annex 3: Responsibilities in the application of MSM

  1. Responsibilities of companies
  • Admin may require a company to submit MSM proposals using a specified form.
  • Proposals should assess tasks, duties and responsibilities for safe operation, security, environmental protection, and emergency response; ensure fitness-for-duty and hours of work/rest; assess numbers/grades; justify how the crew handles emergencies and evacuations; ensure MSM remains adequate under all conditions and for changes in trading area, construction, machinery, or operation; submit updated proposals when changes occur.
  1. Approval by the Administration
  • The Administration must verify that the proposed crew composition meets tasks, duties, and safety/environmental requirements and that work/rest hours comply with regulations.
  • Administrations should consider relevant IMO/ILO/ITU/WHO instruments covering watchkeeping, hours of work/rest, safety management, certification/training, occupational safety, crew accommodation/food, security, and radiocommunications.
  • The Administration may amend or withdraw MSM proposals as needed; approval is contingent on full compliance with principles, guidelines, and safety requirements; possible withdrawal if changes affect MSM; regular reviews for non-compliance with rest hours.
  1. Other considerations
  • Administrations should exercise caution before allowing MSM documents to permit fewer than three qualified officers in charge of a navigational watch, taking into account all MSM principles.

Annex 4: Guidance on contents and model form of MSM document

  1. Required contents in the MSM document: ship’s name, registry, distinctive number, IMO number, port of registry, gross tonnage, main propulsion power, ship type, whether the machinery space is unattended, operating company, and trading area; a table of required personnel with grades/capacities and any special conditions; a formal statement that the ship is safely manned when at sea according to the document; any validity limitations; issue/expiry date; seal and signature. If not in English, include an English translation.
  2. Model form recommendation: use the standard model form; include a description of trading area and a clear table of personnel. The model form includes space for trading area details, dates, and signatures.

Annex 5: Framework for determining minimum safe Manning

Preamble: A framework to assist Administrations and companies in MSM determination.
Steps for determining MSM

  1. Submission from the company
  • Define the nature of ship operations; consider Annexes 2 and 3 for management of safety, security, and environmental protection.
  • Break down operations into functions, then into tasks with attributes: duration, frequency, competence, and importance.
  • Use this analysis to understand interdependencies and workload implications for the proposed MSM.
    1.5 Task capability
  • Determine how many tasks can be performed by an individual under various conditions, considering human factors (sleep, workload, environment).
    1.6 Workload assessments
  • Ensure workload does not exceed rest/work hour limits; design work periods and assess whether one or more crew members can perform tasks within a period.
    2 Evaluation by the Administration
  • The Administration evaluates the submission against national/international requirements and issues an MSM document with any special requirements.
    3 Maintenance of MSM document
  • The company must notify the Administration of changes affecting MSM and submit a new proposal per Annex 3.
    4 Compliance monitoring
  • The Administration should periodically review MSM arrangements.