The Seafarers and Manning Department is responsible for ensuring that all seafarers employed onboard Bahamas registered ships are certified in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW Convention) and that the ships are duly manned taking into consideration the national and international requirements and guidelines.
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Seafarers documents
The Bahamas is a party to the STCW Convention and is on the IMO White-list of countries who have given full effect to this Convention. The Seafarers and Manning Department issues all seafarers documentation, including:
- Bahamas Flag State Endorsements
- Bahamas National Certificate / Endorsements
- Offshore Certification
- Seaman Record Books
- Ship Security Officer Certificate of Proficiency
- Tanker Training & Certificates / Endorsements
The aim is to process these documents in a timely manner and guidelines incorporating the procedures and other relevant information have been developed to ensure that the correct supporting documentation is submitted in order to avoid any undue delays.
In accordance with the STCW requirements, The Bahamas has signed agreement with STCW parties for the recognition of seafarers training, the list of countries are outlined in BMA Bulletin No. 121
Training course approval/recognition
The STCW Conventions requires some training to be approved by the Administration and the Seafarers and Manning Department carries out the approval of such courses subject to the course being conducted under a quality standard system and either:
- The training is being conducted by a training centre within The Bahamas OR
- The training is being conducted by an Owner or Manager operating Bahamian flagged vessels for seafarers who will be sailing on Bahamian registered vessels and such training only relates to the requirements of STCW Chapters V and VI
A training centre which has its training approved by an STCW party with which the Bahamas has a recognised agreement (see BMA Information No. 121.), may apply for a letter of recognition of the approved training courses. The conditions applicable to the recognition are as follows:
- The training centre must be located in the country which has granted the original approval
- The training must only relate to Chapters V and VI Guidelines and procedures are outlined in BMA Information No. 86
Manning
A Safe Manning Document is issued to every ship/unit to verify their compliance with manning requirements of Section 184 of the Bahamas Merchant Shipping Act, as amended, for the vessel to be sufficiently and efficiently manned. Applications for the Safe Manning Document shall be forwarded to the Seafarers and Manning Department which will assess the same taking into consideration the international and national guidelines. Managers/Owners submitting applications should review the guidelines and procedures outlined in BMA Information No. 115 and also take into consideration the guidelines relating the certification of seafarers and the STCW/labour requirements relating to hours of rest.