S.L. 234.51 Art. 32Safe manning document.

(1) It shall be the duty of the shipowner to ensure that in relation to every ship of 500 gross tonnage or more -

(a) a safe manning document is in force in respect of the ship and the manning of the ship;

(b) the safe manning document is kept on board the ship at all times;

(c) the manning of the ship is maintained at all times to at least the levels specified in the safe manning document.

(2) The master of any ship to which these rules apply shall ensure that the ship does not proceed to sea unless there is on board a valid safe manning document issued in respect of the ship and the manning of the ship complies with that document.

(3) It shall be the duty of the shipowner applying for a safe manning document in respect of any Maltese ship to submit to the Registrar-General any information that may be required for the issue of such document.

(4) It shall be the duty of the shipowner after the issue of a safe manning document to inform the Registrar-General as soon as there is any change of the circumstances which are pertinent to that safe manning document.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of these rules and without prejudice to any other duties and responsibilities of the master and of the owner, it shall be the duty of the master and of the shipowner to ensure that from the point of view of safety of life at sea and pollution prevention, the ship is sufficiently and efficiently manned.