12 Extra Crew Onboard? Here’s What SOLAS & Your Flag State Expect Before You Say “Aye!”

 🚢 12 Extra Crew Onboard? Here’s What SOLAS & Your Flag State Expect Before You Say “Aye!”

❓ Can I allow riding gangs onboard without special approval?

❓ Are life-saving appliances and liferafts enough to comply with SOLAS?

❓ Could ignoring sewage capacity land your vessel in non-compliance?

 

⚖️ The Clause That Needs Your Attention

"Understand that the request is for 12 additional POB for a period of 7 days. Each extra person on board is to be provided with suitable life-saving appliances, which are to be in addition to the requisite spares to be carried per relevant SOLAS Ch. III Regulations. Sufficient countermeasures such as the provision of additional personal life-saving appliances and at least a liferaft for the extra numbers of persons, capable of being launched on either side of the ship, should be made. In addition, provision for decent accommodation, food and living conditions should be made. Furthermore, the additional personnel and relevant officers/crew shall be instructed on fire/emergency procedures to be followed during this interim period. Also, Class need to confirm if the existing Sewage Treatment Plant is sufficient for additional POB. Once above is confirmed, Administrator may consider issuing a dispensation for carriage of additional POB."

 

🔍 What It Really Means

This clause outlines the compliance framework for accommodating additional persons onboard—usually riding gangs or technicians—on a temporary basis.

📘 Key Regulations:

• SOLAS Chapter III requires that every person onboard be equipped with life-saving appliances (LSA) beyond minimum spares.
• Flag State & Class approval are mandatory before accepting additional POB.
• Dispensation is not automatic—it hinges on full compliance with safety, accommodation, and sanitation standards.

 

⚠️ What Could Go Wrong?

• 🚫 Non-compliance with SOLAS could void your vessel's safety certification or PSC clearance.
• 💰 Insurance complications: Carriage of unapproved POB may void cover in case of incident.
• ⚠️ Overlooked systems: Insufficient Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) capacity can lead to environmental breaches or class deficiencies.
• 🧯 Emergency chaos: Untrained additional personnel may cause confusion during drills or actual emergencies.

 

💡 Real-Life Scenario

A bulk carrier accepted 15 riding gang members for cargo hold cleaning without proper dispensation. During a PSC inspection at discharge, the vessel was found deficient in LSA count and STP capacity. The result? A 72-hour detention and loss of bonus on-time charter performance.

 

✅ Actionable Steps for Managers & Operators

1. Confirm Flag & Class Requirements

• Request formal approval or dispensation for additional POB.
• Provide clear justification and duration.

2. Upgrade Life-Saving Equipment

• Check for availability of additional lifejackets, immersion suits, liferafts.
• Ensure launch access from both port and starboard.

3. Audit Accommodation & Catering

• Assign decent sleeping arrangements.
• Verify catering can support increased headcount.

4. Evaluate STP Capacity

• Request Class confirmation on sewage treatment system’s ability to manage increased load.

5. Conduct Fire & Emergency Training

• Instruct both riding gang and crew on emergency procedures.
• Log drills and briefings for audit trail.

6. Document Everything

• Create a temporary POB list.
• Maintain compliance checklists and share with Flag/Class if needed.

 

📌 Conclusion: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Leadership in shipping isn’t just about moving cargo—it’s about safeguarding lives, compliance, and reputation.

🧭 Whether you're sailing with riding gangs, technicians, or supercargoes, following the SOLAS + Flag + Class triangle is non-negotiable.

Before you take on those 12 extra POB—make sure you’re not taking on 12 extra risks.

 

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⚓ Stay compliant. Stay confident. Stay ahead.

 

⚖️ Disclaimer

This blog is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or regulatory advice. Compliance requirements vary by Flag State, Class Society, and port jurisdiction. Always consult your DPA, Safety Manager, or regulatory authority before implementing operational changes.
© 2025 ShipOpsInsight. All rights reserved.
Author: Dattaram Walvankar @ShipOpsInsights