The following should be included;

• No person under the age of 16 will be employed on the ship.
• No seafarer under the age of 18 will work at night (as defined in the DMLC part I) unless it is part of a recognised training scheme.
• A list of hazardous work that seafarers under the age of 18 are prohibited from undertaking.
• A list of seafarer who are under 18 years of age.

To ensure compliance the master will check that the seafarer is over 16 by inspecting the individual’s passport/discharge book.

The declaration should state:

• That only certificated seafarers in accordance with national and international requirements will be employed on board.
• What evidence will be provided in the event of a seafarers Certificate of  Competency requiring revalidation.
• That all seafarers are required to carry their certificates with them.
• Who is responsible for ensuring that individual seafarers have the correct certificates and what happens if a seafarer joins a ship without the required qualifications.
• The procedure  used to instruct seafarers on board personal safety training and how this training is to be recorded.

This section should include:

• Confirmation that the seafarers’ employment agreements (SEA) include the items listed in paragraph 4 of Standard A2.1.
• A statement indicating whether a collective bargaining agreement [or any other supplementary documentation?] forms all or part of the SEA.
• Confirmation that the seafarer has been given a signed original copy of the SEA and how this is recorded.
• Confirmation that the seafarer has been given an opportunity to examine and seek advice prior to signing the SEA and how this is recorded.
• The method used to provide seafarers with a record of employment on board the ship.
• The procedure for granting shore leave.
• Annual leave provision and how this is calculated.

Details of authorised representatives for signing the SEA on behalf of the shipowner.

This section should include:

• Information whether seafarers are directly or indirectly engaged by the shipowner.
• A list of manning agencies that supply seafarers to the ship.
• Confirmation that the manning agencies reside in a ratifying country. OR
• If the manning agencies are based in a non ratifying country a statement to the effect that the agency operates in accordance with MLC,2006 requirements and what evidence is available to confirm this.
• Confirmation that no fees or other charges are borne either directly or indirectly by the seafarer when gaining employment and how this is verified.
• Confirmation that the manning agencies do not operate blacklists in order to prevent seafarers gaining employment and how this is verified

Confirmation that as far as practicable the shipowner has the means to protect seafarers from being stranded in a foreign port together with confirmation that a system of protection is in place by way of insurance or an equivalent measure to compensate seafarers for monetary loss resulting from the failure of either the manning agencies or the shipowner to meet their obligations to the seafarers.  

This section should include information on:

• Details of any authorized exception
• Where the schedule is posted up.
• Who monitors the hours of work/rest for compliance both on board and ashore.
• Under what circumstances can the schedule be suspended.
• How are any suspensions recorded.
• How details of any compensatory rest periods granted resulting from the schedule being suspended are recorded.

The following should be included:

• A statement to the effect that the ship will be manned in accordance with national and international regulations.
• A statement to the effect that the contents of the safe manning document will be adhered to at all times.

Information on who the master should contact if he has any concerns regarding manning.

If the ship was constructed prior to the MLC,2006 coming in to force then a statement should be made to the effect that the crew accommodation was constructed in accordance with ILO Conventions C92 and C133. If so the keel laying date should be included.

In addition the following should be included:

• How the requirements or paragraph 2(a) of Standard A3.1 are dealt with.
• Who is responsible for carrying out inspections of the crew accommodation, the frequency that inspections are carried out and where they are recorded should be included.
• What is provided by way of bedding, mess utensils and miscellaneous provisions.
• The procedure for the sending and receiving of seafarers mail.
• Whether seafarers may be accompanied by their partners for occasional voyages.

Whether seafarers partners, relatives or friends are permitted to visit the ship when it is in port.

This section should as a minimum give information on what recreation facilities (for example, DVD players, televisions, sports equipment etc) are provided on board.

Where appropriate the location of the upper deck area that is reserved for seafarers.

The following should be included:

• Details concerning the loading, storage and treating potable water.
• Procedures for storing, preparing and serving food.
• That seafarers are not charged for their food.
• However the shipowner ensures that food is suitable in quantity, nutritional value, quality and variety for the number of crew and operation of the ship.
• How religious and cultural practices os seafarers are catered for.
• The qualifications and traning of the cook and any other catering staff.
• Details of who carries out the inspections of the galley and food handling/storage areas and how these insepctions are recorded.

The following should be included:

• If  a ship has 5 or more seafarers then a safety committee is required.  The composition of the safety committee and the frequency of meetings together with the responsibilities of the master, safety officer and safety representatives.
• Details of the on board programmes for the prevention of occupational accidents, injuries and diseases and for continuous improvement in occupational health and safety.
• Details of the adoption, the effective implementation and promotion of occupational safety and health policies and programmes.
• The procedure for generating risk assessments (including those for young seafarers) and how frequently they are reviewed.
• The precautions taken to prevent occupational accidents, injuries and diseases.
• The procedure for investigating, reporting and correcting unsafe conditions.
• The procedure for investigating, reporting on board occupational accidents.
• Details of the type of work that seafarers under the age of 18 are prohibited from undertaking.  

This section should cover:

• The provision of on board medical care including the medical chest and who is responsible for maintaining same.
• Who is responsible for providing on board medical care.
• Confirmation that the person(s) responsible for providing on board medical care is trained (including refresher training).
• The provision of on shore medical care for seafarers and confirmation that this medical care is provided free of charge to the seafarer.
• The procedure for sending a seafarer ashore for medical attention. Including, if necessary, the use of the medical report form,

The following should be included:

• Confirmation that the on board complaints procedure complies with national laws and requirements. A copy should be submitted to the MCA for review.
• Confirmation that a copy of the on board complaints procedure is to be given to every seafarer and how this is recorded.