This office reaffirms the policy established in Merchant Marine Circular No. 47 which reads as follows:

"The period of validity of the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate is indefinite unless the circumstances of equipment, trading area and type of service change enough to affect the prescribed manning. The certificate is renewed every time there is a change of name of the vessel".

Owners/Operators are to contact the New York Office of the Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs for the obtainment of a new certificate when called for.

Furthermore and due to the large increase is administrative costs incurred by the Administration is processing this certificate, it is hereby stipulated that as of 1 January 1987 the fee for issuance of this certificate has been US$ 150.00.

June 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.