Effective on 31 August 1984, the Republic of Panama implemented a set of regulations intended to ensure that the crew accommodations, galleys, provision supplies and water supplies of Panamanian flag vessels meet internationally accepted standards, as presented by the conventions of the International Labor Organization (I.L.O.) Nos.68, 92 and 126, which were ratified by Panama some time ago and are currently in force.

The new regulations apply to most ships in the registry. Only Merchant Vessels under 200 GRT, fishing vessels under 75 GRT, yachts not engaged in commercial activities, vessels operating exclusively in sheltered waters and unmanned vessels are exempted from the survey and certification requirements.

Vessels built before 1971 (Date of ratification of the conventions by Panama) as well as Merchant Vessels under 500 GRT, sailing ships and tugs will be eligible for relaxations in the technical requirements of the regulations, if full compliance is considered unreasonable or impracticable by the Administration.

Fishing vessels will be required to comply with Part III of I.L.O. Convention No. 126, while vessels of all other types will be required to comply with Part III of I.L.O. Convention No. 92.

Additionally, all merchant vessels will be required to comply with Panamanian regulations concerning galley installations, provision storerooms and water supplies. These regulations have been recently issued by the Administration in accordance with the provisions of I.L.O. Convention No.68.

Owners/Operators and Masters of Panamanian vessels will be responsible to ensure that food and water supplies for the crew are adequate, both in quality and quantity.

Masters of Panamanian vessels must conduct, personally or by means of a delegated officer, together with another member of the crew, a weekly inspection of the crew accommodations, galley and food storage areas, to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and efficient condition, and that food and water supplies are adequate. The results of these weekly inspections are to be recorded in the official logbook.

All vessels subject to the new regulations will be surveyed and certificated at four (4) year intervals to verify full compliance with the technical requirements indicated above. These vessels will be required to have a valid certificate of inspection of crew accommodations to obtain or renew the "Patente Reglamentaria" (full term registration document). It will be the responsibility of shipowners/operators and masters to arrange for the survey of their vessels with one of the duly authorized organizations and within the required periods.

Vessels newly registered in the Republic of Panama will be required to obtain the above certificate during the six (6) months of the Provisional Registration.

The Administration has granted authorization to the following organizations for the worldwide application of crew accommodation:

1. Det Norske Veritas
2. Lloyd's Register of Shipping

 

 

3. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
4. Horizon International of Naval Inspection Bureau Inc.
5. International Naval Surveys Bureau, Inc.
6. International Project Development Const.
7. National Adjusters and Surveyors, Inc.
8. National Shipping Adjusters Inc.
9. Panama Marine Company, Inc.
10. Panama Maritime Documentation Services, Inc.
11. Panama Register Corporation
12. Panama Shipping Certification, Inc.
13. Panama Shipping Registrar Inc.
14. Panama Bureau of Shipping

The inspectors of the Administration will verify the compliance with the new regulations, both within the scope of annual inspections and whenever complaints are filed as specified by the requirements by the relevant I.L.O. conventions.

Non-compliance may cause subjects to fines or detention, as indicated by Law No.2 of 17 January 1980.

June 1992

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.