Minimum safe manning of ships

Fishing vessels, coast guard vessels and other vessels

The minimum manning of these ships is set out in Articles 16-19 of the Act No. The minimum manning of these ships is set out in Articles 16-19 of the Act No. 82/2022 on Ship Crews and is set out in the manning rule for each ship in the legal registrational system for seafarers, Skútan. The minimum manning shall only apply to the ship's master, deck officers and marine engineer officers, but the vessel´s operator shall determine the number of other crew members.

Deviations from the minimum safe manning of fishing vessels, coast guard vessels and other vessels

According to Article 18 of the Act No. 82/2022 on Ship Crews, the Icelandic Transport Authority may decide on deviations from the provisions of the Act on the minimum number of masters, deck officers and marine engineer officers on fishing vessels, coast guard vessels and other vessels as the occasion arises, such as due to technical equipment, type and/or operations of the vessel, where, among other things, the workload that the change may entail must be taken into account.

Minimum safe manning of passenger and cargo ships

The safety manning of these ships is determined by the Icelandic Transport Authority on the recommendation of the vessel´s operator in accordance with Article 15 of Act No. 82/2022 on Shi Crews. Permits for passenger ships to transport passengers and minimum safe manning certificates are issued to passenger and cargo ships, which will determine the overall manning of the ships.

The Act No. 82/2022 on Ship Crews states that every Icelandic passenger ship, passenger boat, and cargo ship shall be safely manned to ensure all aspects of the safety of personnel serving on board, passengers and the ship. When determining the number of crew members and their capacities on board passenger ships and cargo ships, full consideration shall be given to international obligations under the STCW International Convention and their requirements for seagoing service, age, health, education and training, qualifications and examinations.

Additional information

• Manning Rules - Passenger and cargo vessels 

• Manning Rules - Fishing vessels and other vessels under 12 m 750kW 

• Manning Rules - Fishing vessels and other vessels under 15 m LOA and 750 kW 

• Manning Rules - Fishing vessels and other vessels longer than 15 m

Laws and regulation

• Act No. 82/2022 oh Ship Crews

• Regulation No. 944/2020 on Certificates of Competency for masters, deck officers and and marine engineer officers serving on board fishing vessels, coast guard vessels and other vessels.

• Regulation No. 676/2015 on Education Training and Certification of Seafarers.