3 Responsibilities of companies, masters & crew members

3.1 General

Companies, masters and crew members each have responsibility for ensuring that the obligations set out in Section A-I/14 of the STCW Code are given full and complete effect and that such other measures as may be necessary are taken to ensure that each crew member can make a knowledgeable and informed contribution to the safe operation of the ship.

3.2 Companies

3.2.1 Each company is responsible for the assignment of seafarers for service in its ships, and every company must ensure that:

(a) each seafarer assigned to any of its ships holds an appropriate certificate in accordance with the provisions of Marine Orders, Part 3 (Seagoing Qualifications);
(b) its ships are manned in compliance with the safe manning document issued to the ship;
(c) documentation and data relevant to all seafarers employed on its ships are maintained and readily accessible, and include, without being limited to, documentation and data on their experience, training, medical fitness and competency in assigned duties;
(d) seafarers on being assigned to any of its ships are familiarised with their specific duties and with all ship arrangements, installations, equipment, procedures and ship characteristics that are relevant to their routine or emergency duties; and
(e) the ship's complement can effectively co‑ordinate their activities in an emergency situation and in performing functions vital to safety or to the prevention or mitigation of pollution.

3.2.2 A company must provide written instructions to the master of each ship setting out the policies and the procedures to be followed to ensure that all seafarers who are newly employed on board ship are given a reasonable opportunity to become familiar with the shipboard equipment, operating procedures and other arrangements needed for the proper performance of their duties, before being assigned to those duties. Such policies and procedures must include:

(a) allocation of a reasonable period of time during which each newly employed seafarer will have an opportunity to become acquainted with:
  (i) the specific equipment the seafarer will be using or operating; and
  (ii) ship-specific watchkeeping, safety, environmental protection and emergency procedures and arrangements the seafarer needs to know to perform the assigned duties properly; and
(b) designation of a knowledgeable crew member who will be responsible for ensuring that an opportunity is provided to each newly employed seafarer to receive essential information in a language the seafarer understands.

3.3 The master

The master of a ship must take all steps necessary to implement any company instructions issued in accordance with 3.2.2, including: