Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

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

Articles 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the Convention. Issuance of seafarers’ identity documents. Right to maintain the document in the seafarer’s possession. Readmission to a territory and permission to enter a territory. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures adopted to give effect to the Convention. The Committee notes that, in its report, the Government refers to section 89(1)(a) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2002, which states that the Minister may make regulations providing for the issue to Bermuda seafarers of cards (referred as “Bermuda seafarer’s cards”) in such form and containing such particulars with respect to the holders thereof and such other particulars (if any) as may be prescribed by the regulations, and for requiring Bermuda seafarers to apply for such cards. The Government further indicates that Bermuda seafarer’s identity cards may be issued to any Bermuda or foreign seafarer serving on board a ship registered in Bermuda upon application. The Committee notes in this regard the Procedure for Issuing a Bermuda Seafarer’s Identity Document (PSEA 282) issued on 22 November 2018 available on the website of the Maritime Administration, which gives effect to Article 2 of the Convention. In the absence of other information, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to give full effect to Articles 3, 5, and 6 of the Convention.

Article 4. Content of seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the copy of the seafarers’ identity document provided by the Government. The Committee observes however that the document provided contains a typo on the year of adoption of the Convention, which is 1958 and not 1985. The Committee, therefore, requests the Government to amend the seafarers’ identity document to ensure full conformity with Article 4, paragraph 2 and to provide a specimen (not a photocopy) of the revised seafarers’ identity document.