CMNT_TITLE

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Spain (RATIFICATION: 2011)

Other comments on C185

Direct Request

2019
2012

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Article 3 of the Convention. Content and form of seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention, in particular the Resolution of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine dated 20 December 2011 on seaman’s book (libreta maritima)/seafarer’s identity documents (SIDs) in accordance with ILO Convention No. 185, and the Instructions of the General Sub-Directorate of Safety and Maritime Inspection of 20 January 2012 on the issuance of seamen’s books-SIDs. The Committee also notes the Government’s indications that the new SID is issued only to seafarers and fishers of Spanish nationality and it has a validity of ten years. The Committee further notes that the new SID incorporates a biometric template based on the seafarer’s fingerprint. The Committee requests the Government to transmit a specimen of a seaman’s book-SID containing all the data required under Article 3(7)–(8) and Annex I of the Convention, including the digital or original photograph of seafarer, biometric template, and machine-readable zone conforming to ICAO-9303 specifications.

Article 4. National electronic database. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that an electronic database has already been established containing records of all seamen’s books-SIDs issued by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine and that the details which are essential for the purpose of verifying the data stored for each seafarer are his/her personal registration number and unique SID number. The Government also indicates that seafarers may consult their SIDs through the webpage indicated in their seaman’s book (www.dischargebook.gob.es) and they may also access their personal data in harbour masters’ offices (capitanías marítimas) having equipment for reading travel documents. Moreover, the Government indicates that the permanent focal point responsible for responding to inquiries concerning the authenticity and validity of SIDs is the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine and that the information recorded in the database may be accessed electronically by foreign immigration or other competent authorities at www.libretamaritima.gob.es. The Committee requests the Government to specify how it is ensured that information held in the database for each record is limited to the details indicated in Annex II of the Convention. The Committee would also appreciate receiving information of a general nature, such as the number of SIDs issued, suspended or withdrawn which have so far been recorded in the database, or the number of inquiries which have so far been received with respect to recorded SIDs.

Article 5. Quality control and evaluation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that its system for issuing SIDs will undergo an independent evaluation within five years from the date on which the Convention entered into force for Spain, i.e. before 26 November 2016. Recalling the importance of such independent evaluation for the purpose of drawing up a list of members whose SID issue procedures meet the minimum requirements, as prescribed by Article 5(6) of the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to transmit a copy of the independent evaluation of the administration of the SID system once it has been completed together with the other documentation to be submitted in accordance with the arrangements adopted by the ILO Governing Body detailing the procedures for the approval and maintenance of that list.