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The Committee takes note of the information contained in the Government’s report, notably concerning Article 1(2), Article 2(2) and Article 4(6) of the Convention. It asks the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

Article 6, paragraphs 1 and 2. Entry into the territory. According to the Government’s report, as long as the seafarer has valid “seamen’s documents” and the vessel meets entry requirements, permission to stay would be granted for the length of time the vessel is required to be in port. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legal provisions guaranteeing that effect is given to this Article of the Convention.

With reference to its previous comment, the Committee requests the Government to supply in its next report a copy of the national laws or regulations giving effect to the Convention, including Immigration Ordinance Chapter 76, Volume I, 1957, as well as a specimen of the seafarer’s identity document. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate, in more detail and with reference to relevant legislation, measures taken to give effect to Article 1(1), Article 3, Article 5 and Article 6(3) of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue supplying up to date information concerning the practical application of the Convention, including a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in Saint Lucia, for example, information concerning the number of seafarer’s identity documents issued and any difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention.

The Committee again draws the Government’s attention to the entry into force of the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185). It asks the Government to indicate whether it is giving consideration to ratifying this instrument, in order to bring the seafarer’s identity documents issued to Saint Lucia seafarers up to date and to minimize possible problems for Saint Lucia nationals when requesting shore leave, transit, etc.