A ship’s seaworthiness is more than a technical requirement, it’s a legal and commercial responsibility. A vessel must be fit for its voyage in all foreseeable circumstances, and the duty of care rests firmly with the shipowner to meet the standard of a prudent owner.
Crucially, seaworthiness includes proper manning and competence is not defined by certificates alone. As English case law states, a person may hold the highest qualifications and still be unfit for duty if they lack the will, ability, or condition to apply their knowledge effectively. Relying solely on certificates is never enough and if the proper checks aren’t made then insurance cover may also fail as a result.
A prudent owner must ensure that crew members:
- Have the right knowledge and skills for the specific vessel and trade
- Are fit and able to perform their duties, physically and mentally
- Are genuinely competent in practice, not just on paper
This means that proper screening of candidates is essential. Danica assists ship owners in keeping their ships seaworthy. One of our key services is the strict screening of all new recruits, and our 12-step screening process fully covers the areas highlighted above
Read more here: https://www.danica-maritime.com/recruitment/
