02 Dec 13 - 17:51
Panama Canal Advisory to Shipping No. A-33-2013
The
Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has issued Advisory to Shipping No.
A-33-2013 as a reminder that Panama Canal Authority requires that all
vessels navigating in Panama Canal waters comply with the manning
requirements in order to guarantee a safe and expeditious transit or
docking maneuver at the ports located at both ends of the Canal.
As established in the Maritime Regulations for the Operation of the
Panama Canal, Chapter VI, Requirements Concerning the Crew, Section One,
Vessels to be fully manned, Article 102, "A vessel navigating the
waters of the Panama Canal shall be sufficiently manned to permit the
safe handling of the vessel." In addition, "The crew must meet the
standards set forth in the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978/95 (STCW)."
Article 103.1 (Annex) of the regulations requires transiting vessels
to have sufficient seamen forward and aft to handle lines expeditiously
during lockages, as well as when moored temporarily to lock walls or
inside a lock chamber.
The Canal requires transiting vessels to provide, as a minimum, one
(1) officer and two (2) seamen forward and aft respectively. They are
expected to operate winches simultaneously in order to assist during
mooring operations, and handling of locks locomotive wires.
Article 108, Chapter VIII of this regulation establishes sailing and
collision prevention rules. Specifically Rule 4 establishes that,
"Every vessel shall at all times while underway in the Canal and
adjacent waters, maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing, as well
as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances
and conditions, so as to make a full appraisal of the situation...The
person acting as lookout shall have no other assigned duties, and shall
report immediately all relevant and material information to the person
in charge of the navigation of the vessel."
This is also a requirement of the STCW convention.
Non-compliance with these manning requirements may cause transit delays and the assessment of additional charges.
For more information, please read the: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No. A-33-2013
