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Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention, read in conjunction with Articles 2–5 of Convention No. 185. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s notification of provisional acceptance of the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185). It recalls that under Article 9 of Convention No. 185, Members who are taking measures for the ratification of Convention No. 185 may apply it provisionally provided that the requirements of Articles 2–5 of that Convention are fulfilled. In this respect, the Committee notes that the Government has revised its seafarer’s certificate (“seaman’s book”) pursuant to the Order of the Minister of Transport and Communications No. 3-350 of 1 August 2005 on the approval of the sample of the seafarer’s certificate (Official Gazette, 2005, No. 97-3692). It also notes that by Order of the Minister of Transport and Communications No. 3-51 of 9 February 2006 on the issuance of the seafarer’s certificate and its completion regulations (Official Gazette, 2006, No. 22-720), provision is made for a biometric inscription and a machine-readable zone conforming to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303, as required by Article 3(8) and Annex I of Convention No. 185. To enable the Committee to analyse the content and form of the new seafarer’s identity document, the Government is requested to provide a specimen (not a photocopy) of its revised seaman’s book. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to indicate any arrangements or procedures put in place to ensure that records of all seafarers’ identity documents are stored in an electronic database (Article 4) and that quality control and periodic evaluations of the system for issuance of seafarers’ identity documents are conducted (Article 5 and Annex III). Please also provide copies of any new legislative or regulatory text not previously communicated to the Office.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that seamen’s books are being replaced at the moment. It also notes that under section 2.3 of Resolution No. 704 of 28 June 2005, seamen’s books issued before 1 September 2005 will remain valid until their expiry date. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide up-to-date information on the practical application of the Convention and any further developments in the process of aligning national law and practice to the requirements of Convention No. 185.