PSC deficiency code 01113: Minimum Safe Manning Document
Area 01 Certificates and documentation
Code 01113 is about the Minimum Safe Manning Document (MSMD), the flag State's statement of how many seafarers, in which grades and capacities, the ship needs to sail safely. The crew list and certificates are checked against it. With this code the doubt is about the document: is there one, and does it belong to this ship as she is today? Whether the people on board match it is a separate code, 01209 (manning specified by the minimum safe manning document).
What the inspector looks at
The rest of the manning check depends on it.
- an MSMD or equivalent on board, issued by the flag or on its behalf
- name, IMO number, flag and gross tonnage matching the current certificates
- propulsion power and machinery arrangement, including periodically unattended machinery spaces
- grades and capacities in terms that can be compared with the officers' flag endorsements
- trading area or special conditions written on the document
- a validity date, where the flag issues the document with one
- after a change of flag or name, a document issued for the ship as she now is
Common findings
- Minimum Safe Manning Document not on board
- MSMD issued under previous flag / previous ship's name
- MSMD does not reflect present main engine power
- MSMD expired
- Only uncertified copy of MSMD available
- Capacities on MSMD do not correspond with ship's watchkeeping arrangement
The rule behind it
SOLAS chapter V, regulation 14.2 requires ships to which chapter I applies to carry an appropriate minimum safe manning document, or equivalent, issued by the Administration. The flag sets the manning using the IMO Principles of minimum safe manning, resolution A.1047(27). The IMO port State control procedures, A.1185(33) appendix 11, expect every passenger ship and every other ship of 500 gross tonnage or more to have one. They tell the officer to accept a ship manned in line with its MSMD as safely manned unless the document clearly ignores those principles. STCW regulation I/4 covers control of certificates and manning.
Action codes you are likely to see
A detail the flag or RO can correct while the ship is alongside is usually 17, or 10 if the corrected document arrives before the officer leaves. A missing document is more serious: appendix 11 of A.1185(33) gives "MSMD or equivalent not presented" as an example of a detainable deficiency, and the IMO list of detainable deficiencies (appendix 2) includes crew number, composition or certification not corresponding with the safe manning document. If the ship can't show a valid document, the officer may treat it as a ground for detention (30). See action taken codes.
How to close it
Only the flag, or the RO acting for it, can issue a corrected document, so the office drives this and gets it to the ship before departure. If the ship was modified (engine power, UMS notation), send the updated particulars with the application. Keep the new MSMD, the flag's covering email and the application with the Form B. Officers' certificates that don't fit the document go under 01201.