1. Resolution A-481 (XII) on "Principles of Safe Manning" adopted by the IMO Assembly -Twelfth Session - urges all members of the Organization to institute the "Minimum Safe Manning Certificate."
2. Based on the aforementioned, the Republic of Panama has instituted for Vessels registered under its flag a "Minimum Safe Manning Certificate."
3. Effective January 1983, every Passenger and Cargo Vessel of more than 200 GRT registered under the Panamanian Flag should have on board a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate.
4. This document specifies the minimum safe manning for each vessel and contains the following information:

1. A statement of the ship's name, its port of registry, its distinctive number or letters, and its GRT;
2. A table showing the numbers and grades of the personnel required to be carried together with any special conditions;
3. A statement that the ship named in the document is considered to be safely manned if, whenever it proceeds to sea, it carries not less than the numbers and grades of personnel shown in the document, subject to any special conditions stated therein;
4. A statement as to any limitation on the validity of the document by reference to particulars of the individual ship and the nature of service upon which it is engaged;
5. The date of the issuance of the document together with a signature and seal for and on behalf of this Administration;
6. The document is applicable only to Masters and to officers and rating in the deck and engine departments.

1. Application is to be made directly to the following office:
   
   Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs
   Republic of Panama
   New York Representative Office
   1180 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor
   New York, New York 10036
   Telephone: (212)-869-6440
   Fax: (212)-575-2285
2. The application should include the following information:

1. The proposed manning of the ship in the deck and engine departments, both officers and ratings, showing the numbers and grades;
2. Particulars of the individual ship, such as propulsion system and power, and the nature of service and trading area upon which engaged which might affect a variance from normal manning requirements (such as a reduction of one engineer when a vessel is certified for Unattended Machinery Space (UMS) Operation).

1. The period of validity of the certificate is indefinite unless the circumstances of equipment and trading area and service change sufficiently to affect the prescribed manning. It is the owners operators responsibility to advise the New York City Office of SECNAVES whenever this occurs.
2. The fee for this document is $150.00 and should be paid by means of a check or an international money order payable to the order of the "Directorate General of Consular and Maritime Affairs".

May 1992

Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular should be directed to:
Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Representative Office,
Republic of Panama, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10036, U.S.A.