The Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping has announced a change in procedures for issuing Minimum Safe Manning Documents. The new procedures apply from 1 July 2017 and all MSMDs issued before then will cease to be valid by the end of 2017.
With effect from 1 July 2017 applications for MSMDs should be submitted electronically to the DMS using the prescribed application form, which is available on the DMS website, accompanied by a confirmation from the classification society if the ship qualifies for reduced manning levels due to Unattended Machinery Spaces designation, and a muster list for passenger ships. When submitting their proposal owners must abide by the requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) Law, the STCW and the ISM code.
MSMDs issued after 1 July 2017 will be valid for five years. In the event of any changes in trading areas, construction, machinery, equipment, scheme of operation and maintenance, the management company of the ship or other factors which may affect safe manning levels, the owner is obliged to notify the DMS and submit a new MSMD proposal. Any revised MSMD will be valid for five years. If the owner fails to submit a new proposal the DMS may withdraw the vessel’s MSMD. The MSMD of a ship may also be withdrawn if a ship persistently fails to comply with requirements regarding rest hours.
The expiry date will not be affected if the MSMD is amended for reasons that do not involve the review of the conditions for issuance, such as a change of the ship’s name or minor changes in technical features. In such cases the DMS will accept a written request for the issue of an amended document including the justification for the amendment.
In order to ensure a smooth transition applications for new MSMDs should be submitted by 15 September 2017 so as to allow the DMS time to issue the new documents before the current ones expire.