7 Prescribed matters

7.1 For the purposes of section 283 of the Navigation Act, a ship in the following class of ships is a special purpose ship:

mechanically self‑propelled ships which, by reason of their function, carry on board:
(a) more than 12 special personnel; or
(b) a combination of passengers and special personnel where the combined total exceeds 12 but the number of passengers does not exceed 12.

Note Some sail training ships may be classified by the Administration as “not propelled by mechanical means” if fitted with mechanical propulsion for auxiliary and emergency purposes.

Note 2 Where a ship carries more than 12 passengers, as defined in SOLAS, the ship should not be considered a special purpose ship as it is a passenger ship as defined by SOLAS.

7.2 For the purposes of paragraph 283(d) of the Navigation Act, any person carried on board a special purpose ship, other than:

(a) the master or any other member of the crew of the ship;
(b) a pilot;
(c) a person temporarily employed on the ship in port; or
(d) a person carried on the ship in connection with the special purpose of the ship or related special work performed on board the ship;
is a person included in a prescribed class of persons.

Note The combined effect of 7.2 and section 283 of the Navigation Act is that "special personnel" are persons carried on the ship in connection with the special purpose of the ship or related special work performed on board the ship, but not including the master or any other member of the crew, a pilot, a person temporarily employed on the ship in port, or a passenger.

Note 2 The Code defines “special personnel” as all persons who are not passengers or members of the crew or children of under one year of age who are carried on board in connection with the special purpose of that ship or because of special work being carried out aboard that ship. Wherever in the Code the number of special personnel appears as a parameter, it should include the number of passengers carried on board which may not exceed 12.

Note 3 Special personnel are expected to be able bodied with a fair knowledge of the layout of the ship and to have
received some training in safety procedures and the handling of the ship’s safety equipment before leaving port and
include the following:

1\. Scientists, technicians and expeditionaries on ships engaged in research, non-commerical expeditions and survey;
2\. personnel engaging in training and practical marine experience to develop seafaring skills suitable for a professional career at sea. Such training should be in accordance with a training programme approved by the Administration;
3\. personnel who process the catch of fish, whales or other living resources of the sea on factory ships not engaged in
catching;
4\. salvage personnel on salvage ships, cable-laying personnel on cable-laying ships, seismic personnel on seismic survey ships, diving personnel on diving support ships, pipe-laying personnel on pipe layers and crane operating personnel on floating cranes; and
5\. other personnel similar to those referred to in 1 to 4 who, in the opinion of the Administration, may be referred to this group.