Safe manning of laid-up merchant ships

Definition of laid-up merchant ships

Laid-up ships are ships, which are temporary phased out of cargo and/or passenger operations. A ship does not lay up, if it’s leaving a port, a berth or an anchor place. In this case the ship must be manned according to the valid Minimum Safe Manning Certificate.

Requirements for safe manning of laid-up merchant ships

1. The shipowner is responsible for safe manning of his laid-up merchant ship.

2. The laid-up ship shall be safely manned, so that - a safe watchkeeping is guaranteed, - in case of emergency it can respond effective, - the watertight integrity according to fire protection and buoyancy is maintained, - the ISM- and ISPS-Code is complied with, - at anchor a safe anchor watch according to STCW.7/Circ. 14 from 24th of May, 2004 („Guidance for Masters on keeping a safe anchor watch“) is guaranteed.

3. The German Flag Administration (See-Berufsgenossenschaft) does not issue a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate especially for time of laying up a ship. Relating to German Safe Manning regulations there are no specified numbers of on board personnel for laid-up merchant ships under German flag.

4. Local requirements (e. g. of port authority) shall be observed.

Here you can find these information in a official paper of German flag state admininstration.