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Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) - Bermuda

Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention. Issuance, form and content of seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Merchant Shipping (Crew Agreements, Lists of Crew and Discharge of Seamen) Regulations, 1991 are currently in the process of being revised in light of the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). In this regard, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the fact that the present Convention has been revised by the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185), which was adopted for the purpose of enhancing port and border security, while at the same time facilitating the seafarers’ right to shore leave, through the establishment of a more secure and globally uniform seafarers’ identity document. The Committee therefore requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any further developments concerning the process of revision of the 1991 Regulations and any consideration being given to the effective implementation of Convention No. 185.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information provided in the Government’s report according to which 5,638 seafarers’ identity documents were issued in 2009. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply up-to-date information on the practical application of the Convention, including for instance, statistical information on the number of seafarers’ identity documents issued during the reporting period, extracts from reports of the services entrusted with the enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations, or any difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention. In addition, the Government is asked to provide a specimen of the seaman’s discharge book currently in use.