Certificates and surveys
- Know the ship's statutory and class certificates, their validity periods and the survey cycle that keeps them current.
- Plan survey items into the maintenance programme so no certificate lapses.
- Keep the certificates, the official log and the required records in order and available for inspection.
- Prepare for and support flag-State surveys and Port State Control inspections.
Manning and the crew
The ship carries a Minimum Safe Manning Document, and the Master ensures the ship is manned at least to it, with the crew properly certificated for their roles and their hours of rest managed within STCW and the MLC. The crew are employed under agreements (Seafarer Employment Agreements) that, with the MLC, set their rights to wages, rest, accommodation, medical care and repatriation. The Master administers these and maintains the crew's welfare, which on a yacht working long seasons is a substantial part of command.
WARNING — A lapsed certificate can detain the ship A statutory certificate allowed to expire can lead to detention by Port State Control and invalidate insurance. The Master plans surveys and renewals into the running of the ship so nothing lapses.
NOTE — Manning is a safety matter The Minimum Safe Manning Document sets the least crew the ship may safely sail with. The Master ensures the ship meets it, with the crew properly certificated and rested, not merely numerous.