CMNT_TITLE

Repetition

Articles 3, 5 and 6 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee recalls the Government’s earlier statement that the Convention is applied through the Shipping Act 2001. The Committee notes, however, that with the exception of section 131 that deals with seafarer’s certificates of discharge, the Shipping Act does not contain any specific provisions regulating the procedure for issuing seafarer’s books. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the national laws or regulations prescribing the form and content of the seafarer’s book and giving effect to the following requirements of the Convention: seafarer’s identity document to remain in the seafarer’s possession at all times (Article 3); seafarer’s right to be readmitted to the territory of the country that issued the identity document (Article 5); and seafarer’s right to enter the territory of a country for which the Convention is in force for temporary shore leave or for the purpose of joining a ship, passing in transit to join a ship or for repatriation (Article 6). The Committee requests the Government to provide copies of any relevant texts which may not have been previously transmitted.

Moreover, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it intends to examine the possibility of ratifying the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185). The Committee recalls that according to Article 9 of Convention No. 185, it is possible to apply this Convention provisionally with a view to its ratification. The objective of this provision is to allow the countries party to Convention No. 108 to move forward with the adoption of the new seafarers’ identity document in order to achieve universal use and recognition of that document. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on any decision taken in this regard.