Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ratification: 1980)

Article 2(a) (Conventions listed in the appendix to Convention No. 147 but not ratified by the United Kingdom), Convention No. 73, Articles 1(3)(a) and 5(1). Further to its previous comments, the Committee recalls from the Government's 1994 report that even though proposals regarding medical examination of seafarers on vessels below 1,600 gross register tons have not yet been put for consultation, consideration will be given to undertaking a consultation exercise as part of an internal Department of Transport review of arrangements for the medical examination and training of seafarers. Such review will also cover the frequency at which seafarers are required to be medically examined. At that time, the Committee recalled the Government's assurance that it would keep the Committee informed of any developments which may take place, and hoped that the review would enable the Government in the near future to take the necessary measures to ensure implementation of these Articles of the Convention.

From the Government's 1997 report the Committee notes that the Government has no specific developments to report at the present time, however, the general questions of medical standards, examination and training for seafarers are being kept under review.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report whether this question is currently under active review, and to provide full information concerning progress made or measures under active consideration with a view to implementing the above-mentioned Articles.

Article 2(f) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning verification by inspection or other means that ships registered in its territory comply with international labour Conventions which it has ratified, with the laws and regulations required by subparagraph (a) of this Article and, as may be appropriate under national law, with applicable collective agreements.

Article 2(g) of the Convention. The Committee notes that since the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) was established in 1989 there have been 13 Inspector's Inquiries and that the Report of the Chief Inspector has been published in nine cases. It further notes that as a result of investigation, the MAIB has made 97 recommendations on a wide variety of subjects. The Committee requests the Government to provide copies of the published accident reports and recommendations.