Every professionally operated seagoing vessel must have a manning proposal and Minimum Safe Manning Document (MSMD) on board, and must be manned according to the requirements stated in the MSMD. Regulations apply to the qualifications, expertise, working conditions, accommodation, and work and rest times of crew members. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) oversees compliance in the Netherlands.
Please note: different rules apply to the crew on fishing vessels (in Dutch).
Manning proposal and Minimum Safe Manning Document (MSMD)
As a managing owner, you must ensure your seagoing vessel has a valid manning proposal and MSMD on board. You must add additional crew members if the circumstances require it.
Requirements for crew members
The ILT can check during inspections if each crew member has a:
- Seaman's book issued by Kiwa Register.
- Certificate of Competency indicating the role of the crew member. Kiwa Register issues Certificate of Competency and recognises certificates issued outside the Netherlands. To qualify, crew members must meet the training, experience and physical fitness requirements.
- Training and refresher training relevant to the role and navigation area.
- Relevant medical training and safety training that is not required for the Certificate of Competency.
- Medical certificate obtained based on a medical examination.
Working conditions, accommodation, work and rest times
The living and working conditions on board must comply with the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
As the owner, you may deviate from the crew accommodation requirements under certain conditions.
Crew members must adhere to legal working and resting hours on seagoing vessels (in Dutch).
A safety committee (SC) is mandatory on vessels with 5 or more crew members. Crew members can submit complaints about working conditions to the ILT.
As a managing owner, you must describe how you have arranged communication on board in a declaration of communication.
For ships undertaking international voyages, a Ship Sanitation Certificate is required.
Laws and regulations
For safe navigation, the crew of professionally operated seagoing vessels must comply with the Wet bemanning zeeschepen (Seagoing vessels crew Act). This law includes the STCW convention, the STCW-F convention, significant parts of the C-188 convention and the MLC. The Seagoing vessels crew Act is detailed in the Besluit bemanning zeeschepen (Seagoing vessels crew Decree, in Dutch) and the Regeling bemanning zeeschepen (Seagoing vessels crew Regulation, in Dutch).
Additionally, the following laws apply:
- Arbeidsomstandighedenwet (Working Conditions Act, in Dutch)
- Arbeidstijdenwet (Working Hours Act, in Dutch)
- Arbeidstijdenbesluit vervoer (Working Hours Decree for Transport, in Dutch)