Encl. (1) to COMDTINST 16711.12A
Convention No. 147. Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976.
CONVENTION CONCERNING MINIMUM STANDARDS IN
MERCHANT SHIPS
Date of entry into force: 28 November 1981
Article 1
1.
Except as otherwise provided in this Article, this Convention applies to every sea-going ship, whether
publicly or privately owned, which is engaged in the transport of cargo or passengers for the purpose of
trade or is employed for any other commercial purpose.
2.
National laws or regulations shall determine when ships are to be regarded as sea-going ships for the
purpose of this Convention.
3.
This Convention applies to sea-going tugs.
4.
This Convention does not apply to -
(a)
ships primarily propelled by sail, whether or not they are fitted with auxiliary engines;
(b)
ships engaged in fishing or in whaling or in similar pursuits;
(c)
small vessels and vessels such as oil rigs and drilling platforms when not engaged in navigation,
the decision as to which vessels are covered by this subparagraph to be taken by the competent
authority in each country in consultation with the most representative organizations of shipowners
and seafarers.
5.
Nothing in this Convention shall be deemed to extend the scope of the Conventions referred to in the
Appendix to this Convention or of the provisions contained therein.
Article 2
Each Member which ratifies this Convention undertakes -
(a)
to have laws or regulations laying down, for ships registered in its territory -
(i)
safety standards, including standards of competency, hours of work and manning, so as to ensure
the safety of life on board ship;
(ii)
appropriate social security measures; and
(iii)
shipboard conditions of employment and shipboard living arrangements, in so far as these, in the
opinion of the Member, are not covered by collective agreements or laid down by competent courts
in a manner equally binding on the shipowners and seafarers concerned; and to satisfy itself that
the provisions of such laws and regulations are substantially equivalent to the Conventions or
Articles of Conventions referred to in the Appendix to this Convention, in so far as the Member is
not otherwise bound to give effect to the Conventions in question;
(b)
to exercise effective jurisdiction or control over ships which are registered in its territory in respect of -
(i)
safety standards, including standards of competency, hours of work and manning, prescribed by
national laws or regulations;
(ii)
social security measures prescribed by national laws or regulations;
(iii)
shipboard conditions of employment and shipboard living arrangements prescribed by national
laws or regulations, or laid down by competent courts in a manner equally binding on the
shipowners and seafarers concerned;
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