1. To perform all administrative acts for the registration of vessels in the National Merchant Marine, and authorize changes in such registrations as specified by the Law.
2. To assess, collect and supervise the collection of taxes, tolls and other liabilities which may be payable by vessels enrolled in the National Merchant Marine.
3. To exercise the function of coactive jurisdiction for the collection of any amounts collectable thereby.
4. To supervise any collections and remittances made by Consular offices abroad.
5. To ensure the strict fulfillment of the legal navigation, safety, sanitary and marine environment pollution prevention requirements on the part of Panamanian vessels, wherever they may be, and of any vessels found in Panamanian territorial waters, as well as the orderly flow of navigation in such waters, and to enforce the regulations in cases where there are any violations or non-compliance with such requirements.
6. To ensure the strict compliance and efficient application of navigation and vessel requirements, such as may pertain to the safety of life at sea, the prevention of casualties, the adherence to statutory requirements, to the standard certification and watch keeping of seafarers and to the prevention of pollution to the environment by hydrocarbons or other polluting substances, as specified in any of the international conventions ratified by Panama, as well as to enforce the requirements in cases where there are any violation or non-compliance with such.
7. To adopt and regulate any requirements pertaining to the qualifications and classifications of seamen, to issue any qualification certificates, such as certificates of competency, which may be necessary to work on board vessels registered in the National Merchant Marine and to take proper action in the case of any violations or non-compliance with such requirements.

 

 

 

8. To revoke any licenses, certificates, permits or other documents pertaining to vessels under Panamanian registration or to their crews, in the event of their employment in violation of the legal regulations in force. Likewise, any such documents may be suspended or canceled if their holders should fail to comply with any obligation imposed upon the holders thereby.
9. To issue any navigation permits required by the respective Laws to any vessels in Panamanian Territorial waters.
10. To ensure, through Merchant Marine Inspectors designated for such purpose, that all vessels in the Panamanian Registry adequately fulfill all safety and marine environment pollution prevention requirements and any fiscal obligations required by the Republic of Panama.
11. To keep a record of all navigation "Patentes" issued.
12. To exercise any other functions specified by law.

June 1981

Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular should be directed to:
Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Representative Office,
Republic of Panama, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10036, U.S.A.