The Non Benefits of a CREW DECLARATION.
Could be used against you in a court of law if not followed correctly.
The Benefits of a CREW DECLARATION.
1. Establishes clear, non-negotiable requirements that must be met by all parties.
2. Provides a defined framework for understanding and addressing crew misconduct or breaches of expectation.
3. Supports the vessel owner’s duty-of-care obligations, including safety at sea, customs and immigration compliance, and potential medical evacuation scenarios.
4. Helps limit the vessel owner’s liability where agreed criteria have not been fulfilled by the crew member.
5. May be relied upon as supporting evidence in legal proceedings.
6. Functions as a form of contractual agreement, as it is typically acknowledged and signed by both parties.
The Importance of a CREW DECLARATION Form (Formal Documentation).
Offshore, the only immediate assistance available is from the person standing beside you. For this reason, we require crew to complete a first aid course that includes training in the use of a defibrillator, and where possible, the use of needles, as part of their certification.
But why is this level of training necessary?
If a patient requires evacuation, does your standard insurance policy provide coverage at this distance offshore on a private vessel?
Read more
The Non-Benefits of having a CREW MANUAL
1. The vessel owner must also adhere closely to these guidelines, as crew will observe and follow leadership by example.
2. Use the manual as a “must do…” framework rather than a “how to…” guide—there is a clear distinction between instruction and expectation, which is often overlooked.
3. Guidelines should be clear and precise, without becoming overly complex, overly prescriptive, or unnecessarily authoritative in tone.
Benefits of having a CREW MANUAL
1. Setting clear expectations with simple, direct guidance.
2. Motivating and empowering crew through structured information.
3. Enabling advance instruction, reducing the need for corrective direction on the day.
4. Streamlining departures, as crew already understand required procedures.
5. Improving overall safety at sea through consistent practices.
6. Providing “How to…” (blue) sections for general equipment guidance.
7. Providing “How to…” (red) sections for high-priority or safety-critical information.
8. Supporting compliance with State, National, and Maritime legislation, as well as insurance requirements.
9. Meeting legal duty-of-care obligations owed to crew under maritime law.
10. Documenting procedures and proactive maintenance, demonstrating ongoing vessel care — a strong advantage when it comes to future vessel resale.
Why Writing a Manual Is Short-Term Effort for Long-Term Benefit
Understanding the psychology behind documenting information onboard your vessel was introduced in the topic “Empowering Crew.” If you are yet to read “Empowering Crew,” please do so, as this section builds upon those principles.
In this section, we explore two effective yet contrasting documentation approaches:
1.“How to…” Crew Manual (informal content), and
2. “Must Do…” Crew Declaration Form. (formal directives).
