CELEX: 52004PC0530
Language: pl
Date: 2004-07-30
Title: Wniosek dotyczący decyzji Rady umożliwiającej Państwom Członkowskim ratyfikowanie, w interesie Wspólnoty Europejskiej, Konwencji nr 185 Międzynarodowej Organizacji Pracy dotyczącej dokumentów tożsamości marynarzy (przedstawiona przez Komisję)

KOMISJA WSPÓLNOT EUROPEJSKICH

                                               Bruksela, dnia 30.07.2004
                                               COM(2004) 530 końcowy

                                               2004/0180 (CNS)

                                 Wniosek dotyczący

                                  DECYZJI RADY

     umożliwiającej Państwom Członkowskim ratyfikowanie, w interesie Wspólnoty
     Europejskiej, Konwencji nr 185 Międzynarodowej Organizacji Pracy dotyczącej
                         dokumentów tożsamości marynarzy

                            (przedstawiona przez Komisję)

PL                                                                                 PL
 ---pagebreak---                                        UZASADNIENIE

     Cel

     1.     Konwencja nr 185 Międzynarodowej Organizacji Pracy (zwanej dalej MOP)
            dotycząca dowodów tożsamości marynarzy (poprawiona) (zwana dalej
            „Konwencją”) została przyjęta 19 czerwca 2003 r. podczas Konferencji Generalnej
            MOP, zorganizowanej w Genewie przez Zarząd Międzynarodowego Biura Pracy,
            zebranego na swojej 91. sesji.

     2.     Celem końcowym Konwencji jest poprawa systemu identyfikacji marynarzy, jako
            elementu niezbędnego do zagwarantowania bezpieczeństwa w sektorze morskim i
            promowania godnych warunków życia i pracy marynarzy.

     3.     Aby osiągnąć ten cel, Konwencja przewiduje pewne reguły dotyczące wiz podczas
            wyokrętowania marynarzy; odnosi się również do wchodzenia marynarzy na obszar
            Państw Członkowskich, w szczególności gdy chodzi o tranzyt, przeniesienie na inny
            statek lub repatriację. Otóż, zgodnie z tytułem IV Traktatu ustanawiającego
            Wspólnotę Europejską (zwanego dalej „Traktatem”) właściwość w dziedzinie wiz
            jest właściwością wspólnotową, która była wykorzystywana jako taka.

     4.     W tym kontekście, a także aby zagwarantować respektowanie podziału kompetencji
            przewidzianych w Traktacie, Komisja proponuje, poprzez niniejszy dokument, aby
            Rada zezwoliła Państwom Członkowskim związanym regułami wspólnotowymi w
            dziedzinie polityki wizowej ratyfikować Konwencję w interesie Wspólnoty.

     Konwencja nr 185 MOP dotycząca dokumentów tożsamości marynarzy

     5.     Konwencja spełnia podstawowem zadanie MOP, którym jest promowanie godnych
            warunków życia i pracy marynarzy, oraz bierze pod uwagę fakt, że z powodu
            światowego charakteru przemysłu morskiego marynarze potrzebują specjalnej
            ochrony.

     6.     Konwencja przewiduje zapewnienie ochrony dokumentu tożsamości marynarzy jako
            elementu gwarantującego istotną równowagę między, z jednej strony, zwiększeniem
            bezpieczeństwa transportu morskiego, a z drugiej strony, uproszczeniem warunków
            pobytu marynarzy w państwie obcym ich narodowości.

     7.     W tym kontekście Konwencja wprowadza bezpieczniejszy system identyfikacji
            marynarzy poprzez włączenie elementów biometrycznych, w związku z powyższym
            od tej pory elastyczne środki wprowadzone przez Konwencję nie są stosowane ze
            szkodą dla bezpieczeństwa..

     8.     Konwencja uznaje zasady uświęcone w Konwencji w sprawie dokumentów
            tożsamości marynarzy z 1958 r., dotyczące ułatwień we wchodzeniu marynarzy na
            obszar Państw Członkowskich w celu pobytu na lądzie, tranzytu, zaokrętowania na
            innym statku lub repatriacji.

     9.     Punktem wyjścia tej koncepcji jest fakt, że marynarze pracują i żyją na okrętach
            prowadzących handel międzynarodowy, że dostęp do ułatwień na lądzie i
            pozwolenie na pobyt na lądzie są zasadniczymi elementami ogólnego dobrobytu

PL                                             2                                                PL
 ---pagebreak---             marynarzy i przyczyniają się w ten sposób do sprzyjania warunkom nawigacji
            morskiej w jak najlepszych warunkach bezpieczeństwa.

     10.    W tym kontekście Konwencja przewiduje pewne reguły dotyczące wiz podczas
            wyokrętowania marynarzy na lądzie. I tak art. 6 poprawionej Konwencji przewiduje
            w pkt 6, że „marynarze nie mają obowiązku posiadania wizy w celu uzyskania zgody
            na zejście na ląd. Każde Państwo Członkowskie, który nie jest w stanie w pełni
            respektować tego przepisu, musi czuwać, aby ustawodawstwo lub stosowana
            praktyka przewidywały postanowienia w całości równorzędne.”

     11.    Poza tym art. 6 pkt 7 Konwencji dotyczy tranzytu, przeniesienia lub repatriacji
            marynarzy, postanawiając, że „Każdy Członek, dla którego niniejsza konwencja jest
            obowiązująca, musi również zezwolić, tak szybko jak to możliwe, na wejście na jego
            obszar każdemu marynarzowi posiadającemu ważny dokument tożsamości ludzi
            morza, wraz z paszportem, jeśli zgłaszana jest potrzeba takiego wejścia, żeby:

            a) zaokrętować się na pokładzie swojego statku lub przejść na inny okręt;

            b) przejść tranzytem na swój okręt w innym kraju lub być repatriowanym, lub w
            każdym innym celu, zatwierdzonym przez władze zainteresowanego Członka. [...]”

     12.    Tytuł IV Traktatu „Wizy, azyl, imigracja i inne polityki związane z przepływem
            osób” wprowadza ogólną właściwość wspólnotową dla wszystkich elementów, które
            stanowią politykę wizową, zarówno w sprawie krótkiego, jak i długiego pobytu
            (odpowiednio art. 62 pkt 2 lit. b) oraz art. 63 pkt 3 i 4 Traktatu). W szczególności art.
            62 pkt 2 lit. b) ppkt i) przewiduje, że środki dotyczące listy państw trzecich, których
            obywatele muszą posiadać wizy przy przekraczaniu granicy zewnętrznej, oraz tych,
            których obywatele są zwolnieni z tego wymogu, podlegają właściwości Wspólnoty
            Europejskiej.

     13.    Wspólnota wykorzystała już swoją właściwość w tej dziedzinie, przyjmując
            rozporządzenie Rady (WE) nr 539/2001 z dnia 15 marca 2001 r. (1) wymieniające
            państwa trzecie, których obywatele muszą posiadać wizy podczas przekraczania
            granic zewnętrznych, oraz te, których obywatele są zwolnieni z tego wymogu.

     14.    Poza tym Traktat Amsterdamski włączył, z dniem wejścia w życie, dorobek
            Schengen w ramy Unii Europejskiej (2). Dorobek Schengen obejmuje postanowienia
            w zakresie polityki wizowej krótkiego pobytu, których podstawę prawną stanowi art.
            62 pkt 2 lit. b) Traktatu (3).

     1
           Dz.U. L 81 z 21.3.2001, zmienione rozporządzeniami Rady (WE) nr 2414/2001 z dnia 7 grudnia 2001
           r. oraz nr 453/2003 z dnia 6 marca 2003 r.
     2
           Protokół włączający dorobek Schengen w ramy Unii Europejskiej, załączony do Traktatu o Unii
           Europejskiej i Traktatu ustanawiającego Wspólnotę Europejską, Dz.U. C 340 z 10.11.1997.
     3
           Decyzja Rady1999/435/WE z dnia 20 maja 1999 r. w sprawie zdefiniowania dorobku Schengen w celu
           określenia zgodnie z odpowiednimi postanowieniami Traktatu ustanawiającego Wspólnotę Europejską
           oraz Traktatu o Unii Europejskiej podstawy prawnej każdego postanowienia składającego się na
           dorobek, Dz.U. L 176 z 10.7.1999, str. 1, a także decyzja Rady1999/436/WE z dnia 20 maja 1999 r.
           określająca, zgodnie z odpowiednimi postanowieniami Traktatu ustanawiającego Wspólnotę
           Europejską oraz Traktatu o Unii Europejskiej, podstawę prawną każdego postanowienia lub decyzji
           składających się na dorobek Schengen, Dz.U. L 176 z 10.7.1999, str. 17. Zgodnie z art. 1 ust. 2 decyzji
           Rady 1999/435 przepisy składające się na dorobek Schengen zostały opublikowane (Dz.U. L 239 z

PL                                                       3                                                           PL
 ---pagebreak---             W szczególności punkty 6.5.2 oraz 6.5.4 części II Wspólnej Księgi w sprawie granic
            zewnętrznych (4) dotyczą odpowiednio warunków, pod jakimi marynarze mogą
            udawać się na ląd, oraz wejścia na obszar Państw Członkowskich marynarzy,
            związanego z tranzytem, przeniesieniem lub repatriacją.

     15.    W rzeczywistości, zgodnie z orzecznictwem AETR Trybunału Sprawiedliwości
            dotyczącym właściwości zewnętrznych Państwa Członkowskie nie mają już
            swobody w kwestii ratyfikowania, z własnej inicjatywy, Konwencji MOP nr 185
            dotyczącej dokumentów tożsamości marynarzy, gdyż te postanowienia dotyczące
            zwolnienia z obowiązku wizowego podczas schodzenia na ląd marynarzy oraz
            odniesienie do warunków wejścia marynarzy na obszar Państw Członkowskich w
            ramach tranzytu, przeniesienia lub repatriacji dotyczą wykonywania właściwości
            wspólnotowej w tej dziedzinie.

     Wniosek Komisji

     16.    Biorąc pod uwagę uprzednie rozważania, należy, po pierwsze, zapewnić stosowanie
            reguł wspólnotowych w dziedzinie polityki wizowej, po drugie, dać zdecydowany
            sygnał, który wskazałby pozostałej części świata, jaką wagę Wspólnota przywiązuje
            do tej Konwencji.

     17.    Rozwiązanie łączące te dwa elementy byłoby w pełni zgodne z celem Konwencji,
            którym jest zapewnienie gwarancji w sprawie tożsamości marynarzy, a jednocześnie
            ułatwianie im wejścia na obszar Państw Członkowskich związanych regułami
            wspólnotowymi w dziedzinie wizowej. W konsekwencji pozwoliłoby ono Państwom
            Członkowskim zrealizować cele Konwencji.

     18.    Z reguł funkcjonowania MOP wynika, że proces podpisywania przed ratyfikacją,
            który istnieje w innych instytucjach, zastępuje tutaj procedura głosowania (mającego
            miejsce w czerwcu podczas konferencji międzynarodowej), które jest równoznaczne
            z podpisaniem, jednakże Konwencja jeszcze nie weszła w życie. Komisja nie brała
            udziału w tych negocjacjach, chociaż uczestniczyła w nich w charakterze
            obserwatora. Państwa oraz przedstawiciele pracodawców i pracobiorców uczestniczą
            w negocjacjach i w głosowaniu nad przyjęciem Konwencji. Jedynie państwa mogą
            przystąpić do tej Konwencji.

     19.    Komisja odnotowała pozytywny wynik głosowania przez Państwa Członkowskie,
            które negocjowały Konwencję w zakresie jej użyteczności dla promowania
            zadowalających warunków pracy marynarzy, jak i konieczności jej wejścia w życie
            w jak najkrótszych terminach.

     20.    Biorąc pod uwagę, że właściwość w dziedzinie wiz jest właściwością wspólnotową,
            w niniejszym dokumencie Komisja proponuje, aby Rada zezwoliła Państwom
            Członkowskim, związanym regułami wspólnotowymi w tej dziedzinie, ratyfikować
            Konwencję w interesie Wspólnoty.

           22.6.2000).
     4
           Decyzja SCH/Com-ex(99)13 z dnia 28 kwietnia 1999 r. dotycząca ostatecznych wersji Wspólnej Księgi
           i Wspólnych Instrukcji Konsularnych skierowanych do zawodowych przedstawicieli dyplomatycznych
           i konsularnych (Dz.U. L 239 z 22.9.2000, str. 317). Zaktualizowana wersja Księgi została
           opublikowana – z wyjątkiem niektórych poufnych załączników – w Dz.U. C 313 z 16.12.2002, str. 97.

PL                                                    4                                                        PL
 ---pagebreak---      21.    To odstępstwo od normalnego trybu właściwości wspólnotowej zgodnie z art. 300
            Traktatu ustanawiającego Wspólnotę Europejską może być wyjątkowo uzasadnione
            interesem, jaki stanowi Konwencja dla marynarzy oraz koniecznością działania w
            taki sposób, aby weszła ona w życie możliwie jak najszybciej. Niemniej jednak
            decyzja ta musi mieć charakter wyjątkowy i nie może w żadnym razie stanowić
            precedensu na przyszłość.

     22.    Niniejsza decyzja pozwoli więc Państwom Członkowskim, bez dodatkowych
            opóźnień, przyjąć wszelkie postanowienia niezbędne do ratyfikacji. Poza tym można
            rozważyć wspólne zasady ratyfikacji, aby dać sygnał pozostałej części świata, jak
            wielką wagę przywiązuje Wspólnota do Konwencji.

     23.    Zgodnie z art. 4 Protokołu dotyczącego stanowiska Danii, załączonego do Traktatu o
            Unii Europejskiej i Traktatu ustanawiającego Wspólnotę Europejską, państwo to
            podejmuje działania mające na celu sporządzenie listy państw trzecich, których
            obywatele muszą mieć wizę podczas przekraczania granic zewnętrznych, oraz
            działania zmierzające do wprowadzenia typowego modelu wizy. W związku z
            powyższym Dania jest adresatem niniejszej decyzji.

     24.    Na podstawie art. 1 Protokołu w sprawie stanowiska Zjednoczonego Królestwa oraz
            Irlandii, załączonego do Traktatu o Unii Europejskiej i Traktatu ustanawiającego
            Wspólnotę Europejską, i bez uszczerbku dla art. 4 tego protokołu niniejsza decyzja
            nie ma zastosowania ani do Irlandii, ani do Zjednoczonego Królestwa.

     25.    Niniejsza decyzja musi być uznana za rozwinięcie dorobku z Schengen, tak jak
            został on określony w załączniku A porozumienia zawartego w dniu 18 maja 1999 r.
            między Radą a Norwegią i Islandią w celu włączenia tych dwóch państw do
            wdrażania, stosowania i rozwijania dorobku z Schengen (5).

     5
           Dz.U. L 176 z 10.7.1999, str. 35.

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 ---pagebreak---                                                            2004/0180 (CNS)

                                            Wniosek dotyczący

                                            DECYZJI RADY

           umożliwiającej Państwom Członkowskim ratyfikowanie, w interesie Wspólnoty
           Europejskiej, Konwencji nr 185 Międzynarodowej Organizacji Pracy dotyczącej
                               dokumentów tożsamości marynarzy

     RADA UNII EUROPEJSKIEJ,

     uwzględniając Traktat ustanawiający Wspólnotę Europejską, w szczególności jego art. 62 pkt
     2 lit. b) ppkt i) oraz art. 300 ust. 2 akapit pierwszy zdanie pierwsze i ust. 3 akapit pierwszy,

     uwzględniając wniosek Komisji (6),

     uwzględniając opinię Parlamentu Europejskiego (7),

     a także mając na uwadze, co następuje:

     (1)     Wspólnota Europejska podejmuje wysiłki na rzecz ustanowienia przestrzeni wolności,
             bezpieczeństwa i sprawiedliwości, opartej m.in. na wspólnej polityce wizowej.

     (2)     Konwencja Międzynarodowej Organizacji Pracy (zwanej dalej MOP) dotycząca
             dokumentów tożsamości marynarzy (zmieniona) została przyjęta w dniu 19 czerwca
             2003 r. podczas Konferencji Generalnej MOP zorganizowanej w Genewie przez
             Zarząd Międzynarodowego Biura Pracy.

     (3)     Powyższa Konwencja stanowi cenny wkład w poprawę bezpieczeństwa w sektorze
             morskim na poziomie międzynarodowym i w promowanie godnych warunków pracy
             dla marynarzy. Jest więc pożądane, aby postanowienia te zaczęto stosować w jak
             najszybszym terminie.

     (4)     Niektóre artykuły Konwencji podlegają właściwości wspólnotowej w dziedzinie
             polityki wizowej.

     (5)     Wspólnota nie może ratyfikować tej Konwencji, jedynie Państwa Członkowskie mogą
             być jej stronami.

     (6)     W związku z powyższym Rada powinna zezwolić Państwom Członkowskim
             związanym regułami wspólnotowymi w dziedzinie polityki wizowej, opartymi na art.
             62 pkt 2 lit. b) ppkt i) Traktatu, ratyfikować Konwencję w interesie Wspólnoty, w
             warunkach przewidzianych w niniejszej decyzji.

     6
             Dz.U. C […] z […], str. […].
     7
             Dz.U. C […] z […], str. […].

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 ---pagebreak---      (7)    Zgodnie z art. 1 Protokołu w sprawie stanowiska Zjednoczonego Królestwa i Irlandii,
            załączonego do Traktatu o Unii Europejskiej i Traktatu ustanawiającego Wspólnotę
            Europejską, Irlandia i Zjednoczone Królestwo nie uczestniczą w przyjęciu niniejszej
            decyzji. W związku z powyższym i bez uszczerbku dla art. 4 powyższego protokółu,
            niniejsza decyzja nie ma zastosowania ani do Irlandii, ani do Zjednoczonego
            Królestwa.

     (8)    Zgodnie z art. 4 Protokołu dotyczącego stanowiska Danii, dołączonego do Traktatu o
            Unii Europejskiej i Traktatu ustanawiającego Wspólnotę Europejską, Dania jest
            adresatem niniejszej decyzji,

     PRZYJMUJE NINIEJSZĄ DECYZJĘ:

                                               Artykuł 1

     Państwa Członkowskie mają prawo ratyfikować Konwencję dotyczącą dokumentów
     tożsamości marynarzy, przyjętą 19 czerwca 2003 r.

     Tekst Konwencji dołącza się do niniejszej decyzji.

                                               Artykuł 2

     1.      Państwa Członkowskie podejmują niezbędne działania, aby jednocześnie złożyć
             instrumenty  ratyfikacyjne   do     Konwencji     Dyrektorowi  Generalnemu
             Międzynarodowego Biura Pracy do 1 grudnia 2005 r.

     2.      Państwa Członkowskie wymieniają informacje w ramach Rady, z Komisją, przed 1
             czerwca 2005 r. w sprawie terminu, w którym, jak sądzą, ich procedury
             parlamentarne niezbędne do ratyfikacji lub przystąpienia zostaną zakończone. Na tej
             podstawie są ustalane termin i zasady jednoczesnego składania.

                                               Artykuł 3

     Niniejsza decyzja jest skierowana, zgodnie z Traktatem ustanawiającym Wspólnotę
     Europejską, do Państw Członkowskich.

     Sporządzono w Brukseli, dnia

                                                W imieniu Rady

                                                Przewodniczący

PL                                                 7                                               PL
 ---pagebreak---                                                 ANNEX

                  C185 Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003
     Convention revising the Seafarers'Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (Note: This
     Convention has not yet come into force: )
     Convention:C185
     Place:Geneva
     Session of the Conference:91
     Date of adoption:19:06:2003
     Subject classification: Seafarers
     Subject: Seafarers
     Status: Up-to-date instrument This Convention was adopted after 1985 and is considered up
     to date.
     The General Conference of the International Labour Organization,
     Having been convened at Geneva by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office,
     and having met in its Ninety-first Session on 3 June 2003, and Mindful of the continuing
     threat to the security of passengers and crews and the safety of ships, to the national interest
     of States and to individuals, and
     Mindful also of the core mandate of the Organization, which is to promote decent conditions
     of work, and
     Considering that, given the global nature of the shipping industry, seafarers need special
     protection, and
     Recognizing the principles embodied in the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958,
     concerning the facilitation of entry by seafarers into the territory of Members, for the
     purposes of shore leave, transit, transfer or repatriation, and
     Noting the Convention on the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965, as
     amended, of the International Maritime Organization, in particular, Standards 3.44 and 3.45,
     and
     Noting further that United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/57/219 (Protection
     of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism) affirms that States
     must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism complies with their obligations under
     international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, and
     Being aware that seafarers work and live on ships involved in international trade and that
     access to shore facilities and shore leave are vital elements of seafarers' general well-being
     and, therefore, to the achievement of safer shipping and cleaner oceans, and
     Being aware also that the ability to go ashore is essential for joining a ship and leaving after
     the agreed period of service, and
     Noting the amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
     amended, concerning special measures to enhance maritime safety and security, that were
     adopted by the International Maritime Organization Diplomatic Conference on 12 December
     2002, and

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 ---pagebreak---      Having decided upon the adoption of certain proposals with regard to the improved security
     of seafarers' identification, which is the seventh item on the agenda of the session, and
     Having decided that these proposals shall take the form of an international Convention
     revising the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958,
     adopts this nineteenth day of June of the year two thousand and three, the following
     Convention, which may be cited as the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised),
     2003.
     Article 1
     SCOPE
     1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term seafarer means any person who is employed
     or is engaged or works in any capacity on board a vessel, other than a ship of war, ordinarily
     engaged in maritime navigation.
     2. In the event of any doubt whether any categories of persons are to be regarded as seafarers
     for the purpose of this Convention, the question shall be determined in accordance with the
     provisions of this Convention by the competent authority of the State of nationality or
     permanent residence of such persons after consulting with the shipowners' and seafarers'
     organizations concerned.
     3. After consulting the representative organizations of fishing-vessel owners and persons
     working on board fishing vessels, the competent authority may apply the provisions of this
     Convention to commercial maritime fishing.
     Article 2
     ISSUANCE OF SEAFARERS' IDENTITY DOCUMENTS
     1. Each Member for which this Convention is in force shall issue to each of its nationals who
     is a seafarer and makes an application to that effect a seafarers' identity document conforming
     to the provisions of Article 3 of this Convention.
     2. Unless otherwise provided for in this Convention, the issuance of seafarers' identity
     documents may be subject to the same conditions as those prescribed by national laws and
     regulations for the issuance of travel documents.
     3. Each Member may also issue seafarers' identity documents referred to in paragraph 1 to
     seafarers who have been granted the status of permanent resident in its territory. Permanent
     residents shall in all cases travel in conformity with the provisions of Article 6, paragraph 7.
     4. Each Member shall ensure that seafarers' identity documents are issued without undue
     delay.
     5. Seafarers shall have the right to an administrative appeal in the case of a rejection of their
     application.
     6. This Convention shall be without prejudice to the obligations of each Member under
     international arrangements relating to refugees and stateless persons.
     Article 3

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 ---pagebreak---      CONTENT AND FORM
     1. The seafarers' identity document covered by this Convention shall conform - in its content -
     to the model set out in Annex I hereto. The form of the document and the materials used in it
     shall be consistent with the general specifications set out in the model, which shall be based
     on the criteria set out below. Provided that any amendment is consistent with the following
     paragraphs, Annex I may, where necessary, be amended in accordance with Article 8 below,
     in particular to take account of technological developments. The decision to adopt the
     amendment shall specify when the amendment will enter into effect, taking account of the
     need to give Members sufficient time to make any necessary revisions of their national
     seafarers' identity documents and procedures.
     2. The seafarers' identity document shall be designed in a simple manner, be made of durable
     material, with special regard to conditions at sea and be machine-readable. The materials used
     shall:
     (a) prevent tampering with the document or falsification, as far as possible, and enable easy
     detection of alterations; and
     (b) be generally accessible to governments at the lowest cost consistent with reliably
     achieving the purpose set out in (a) above.
     3. Members shall take into account any available guidelines developed by the International
     Labour Organization on standards of the technology to be used which will facilitate the use of
     a common international standard.
     4. The seafarers' identity document shall be no larger than a normal passport. 5. The seafarers'
     identity document shall contain the name of the issuing authority, indications enabling rapid
     contact with that authority, the date and place of issue of the document, and the following
     statements:
     (a) this document is a seafarers' identity document for the purpose of the Seafarers' Identity
     Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, of the International Labour Organization; and
     (b) this document is a stand-alone document and not a passport.
     6. The maximum validity of a seafarers' identity document shall be determined in accordance
     with the laws and regulations of the issuing State and shall in no case exceed ten years,
     subject to renewal after the first five years.
     7. Particulars about the holder included in the seafarer's identity document shall be restricted
     to the following:
     (a) full name (first and last names where applicable);
     (b) sex;
     (c) date and place of birth;
     (d) nationality;
     (e) any special physical characteristics that may assist identification;
     (f) digital or original photograph; and

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 ---pagebreak---      (g) signature.
     8. Notwithstanding paragraph 7 above, a template or other representation of a biometric of the
     holder which meets the specification provided for in Annex I shall also be required for
     inclusion in the seafarers' identity document, provided that the following preconditions are
     satisfied:
     (a) the biometric can be captured without any invasion of privacy of the persons concerned,
     discomfort to them, risk to their health or offence against their dignity;
     (b) the biometric shall itself be visible on the document and it shall not be possible to
     reconstitute it from the template or other representation;
     (c) the equipment needed for the provision and verification of the biometric is user-friendly
     and is generally accessible to governments at low cost;
     (d) the equipment for the verification of the biometric can be conveniently and reliably
     operated in ports and in other places, including on board ship, where verification of identity is
     normally carried out by the competent authorities; and
     (e) the system in which the biometric is to be used (including the equipment, technologies and
     procedures for use) provides results that are uniform and reliable for the authentication of
     identity.
     9. All data concerning the seafarer that are recorded on the document shall be visible.
     Seafarers shall have convenient access to machines enabling them to inspect any data
     concerning them that is not eye-readable. Such access shall be provided by or on behalf of the
     issuing authority.
     10. The content and form of the seafarers' identity document shall take into account the
     relevant international standards cited in Annex I.
     Article 4
     NATIONAL ELECTRONIC DATABASE
     1. Each Member shall ensure that a record of each seafarers' identity document issued,
     suspended or withdrawn by it is stored in an electronic database. The necessary measures
     shall be taken to secure the database from interference or unauthorized access.
     2. The information contained in the record shall be restricted to details which are essential for
     the purposes of verifying a seafarers' identity document or the status of a seafarer and which
     are consistent with the seafarer's right to privacy and which meet all applicable data protection
     requirements. The details are set out in Annex II hereto, which may be amended in the
     manner provided for in Article 8 below, taking account of the need to give Members
     sufficient time to make any necessary revisions of their national database systems.
     3. Each Member shall put in place procedures which will enable any seafarer to whom it has
     issued a seafarers' identity document to examine and check the validity of all the data held or
     stored in the electronic database which relate to that individual and to provide for correction if
     necessary, at no cost to the seafarer concerned.
     4. Each Member shall designate a permanent focal point for responding to inquiries, from the
     immigration or other competent authorities of all Members of the Organization, concerning

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 ---pagebreak---      the authenticity and validity of the seafarers' identity document issued by its authority. Details
     of the permanent focal point shall be communicated to the International Labour Office, and
     the Office shall maintain a list which shall be communicated to all Members of the
     Organization.
     5. The details referred to in paragraph 2 above shall at all times be immediately accessible to
     the immigration or other competent authorities in member States of the Organization, either
     electronically or through the focal point referred to in paragraph 4 above.
     6. For the purposes of this Convention, appropriate restrictions shall be established to ensure
     that no data - in particular, photographs - are exchanged, unless a mechanism is in place to
     ensure that applicable data protection and privacy standards are adhered to.
     7. Members shall ensure that the personal data on the electronic database shall not be used for
     any purpose other than verification of the seafarers' identity document.
     Article 5
     QUALITY CONTROL AND EVALUATIONS
     1. Minimum requirements concerning processes and procedures for the issue of seafarers'
     identity documents, including quality-control procedures, are set out in Annex III to this
     Convention. These minimum requirements establish mandatory results that must be achieved
     by each Member in the administration of its system for issuance of seafarers' identity
     documents.
     2. Processes and procedures shall be in place to ensure the necessary security for:
     (a) the production and delivery of blank seafarers' identity documents;
     (b) the custody, handling and accountability for blank and completed seafarers' identity
     documents;
     (c) the processing of applications, the completion of the blank seafarers' identity documents
     into personalized seafarers' identity documents by the authority and unit responsible for
     issuing them and the delivery of the seafarers' identity documents;
     (d) the operation and maintenance of the database; and
     (e) the quality control of procedures and periodic evaluations.
     3. Subject to paragraph 2 above, Annex III may be amended in the manner provided for in
     Article 8, taking account of the need to give Members sufficient time to make any necessary
     revisions to their processes and procedures.
     4. Each Member shall carry out an independent evaluation of the administration of its system
     for issuing seafarers' identity documents, including quality-control procedures, at least every
     five years. Reports on such evaluations, subject to the removal of any confidential material,
     shall be provided to the Director-General of the International Labour Office with a copy to the
     representative organizations of shipowners and seafarers in the Member concerned. This
     reporting requirement shall be without prejudice to the obligations of Members under article
     22 of the Constitution of the International Labour Organisation.

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 ---pagebreak---      5. The International Labour Office shall make these evaluation reports available to Members.
     Any disclosure, other than those authorized by this Convention, shall require the consent of
     the reporting Member.
     6. The Governing Body of the International Labour Office, acting on the basis of all relevant
     information in accordance with arrangements made by it, shall approve a list of Members
     which fully meet the minimum requirements referred to in paragraph 1 above.
     7. The list must be available to Members of the Organization at all times and be updated as
     appropriate information is received. In particular, Members shall be promptly notified where
     the inclusion of any Member on the list is contested on solid grounds in the framework of the
     procedures referred to in paragraph 8.
     8. In accordance with procedures established by the Governing Body, provision shall be made
     for Members which have been or may be excluded from the list, as well as interested
     governments of ratifying Members and representative shipowners' and seafarers'
     organizations, to make their views known to the Governing Body, in accordance with the
     arrangements referred to above and to have any disagreements fairly and impartially settled in
     a timely manner.
     9. The recognition of seafarers' identity documents issued by a Member is subject to its
     compliance with the minimum requirements referred to in paragraph 1 above.
     Article 6
     FACILITATION OF SHORE LEAVE AND TRANSIT AND TRANSFER OF SEAFARERS
     1. Any seafarer who holds a valid seafarers' identity document issued in accordance with the
     provisions of this Convention by a Member for which the Convention is in force shall be
     recognized as a seafarer within the meaning of the Convention unless clear grounds exist for
     doubting the authenticity of the seafarers' identity document.
     2. The verification and any related inquiries and formalities needed to ensure that the seafarer
     for whom entry is requested pursuant to paragraphs 3 to 6 or 7 to 9 below is the holder of a
     seafarers' identity document issued in accordance with the requirements of this Convention
     shall be at no cost to the seafarers or shipowners.
     Shore leave
     3. Verification and any related inquiries and formalities referred to in paragraph 2 above shall
     be carried out in the shortest possible time provided that reasonable advance notice of the
     holder's arrival was received by the competent authorities. The notice of the holder's arrival
     shall include the details specified in section 1 of Annex II.
     4. Each Member for which this Convention is in force shall, in the shortest possible time, and
     unless clear grounds exist for doubting the authenticity of the seafarers' identity document,
     permit the entry into its territory of a seafarer holding a valid seafarer's identity document,
     when entry is requested for temporary shore leave while the ship is in port.
     5. Such entry shall be allowed provided that the formalities on arrival of the ship have been
     fulfilled and the competent authorities have no reason to refuse permission to come ashore on
     grounds of public health, public safety, public order or national security.

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 ---pagebreak---      6. For the purpose of shore leave seafarers shall not be required to hold a visa. Any Member
     which is not in a position to fully implement this requirement shall ensure that its laws and
     regulations or practice provide arrangements that are substantially equivalent.
     Transit and transfer
     7. Each Member for which this Convention is in force shall, in the shortest possible time, also
     permit the entry into its territory of seafarers holding a valid seafarers' identity document
     supplemented by a passport, when entry is requested for the purpose of:
     (a) joining their ship or transferring to another ship;
     (b) passing in transit to join their ship in another country or for repatriation; or any other
     purpose approved by the authorities of the Member concerned.
     8. Such entry shall be allowed unless clear grounds exist for doubting the authenticity of the
     seafarers' identity document, provided that the competent authorities have no reason to refuse
     entry on grounds of public health, public safety, public order or national security.
     9. Any Member may, before permitting entry into its territory for one of the purposes
     specified in paragraph 7 above, require satisfactory evidence, including documentary
     evidence of a seafarer's intention and ability to carry out that intention. The Member may also
     limit the seafarer's stay to a period considered reasonable for the purpose in question.
     Article 7
     CONTINUOUS POSSESSION AND WITHDRAWAL
     1. The seafarers' identity document shall remain in the seafarer's possession at all times,
     except when it is held for safekeeping by the master of the ship concerned, with the seafarer's
     written consent.
     2. The seafarers' identity document shall be promptly withdrawn by the issuing State if it is
     ascertained that the seafarer no longer meets the conditions for its issue under this
     Convention. Procedures for suspending or withdrawing seafarers' identity documents shall be
     drawn up in consultation with the representative shipowners' and seafarers' organizations and
     shall include procedures for administrative appeal.
     Article 8
     AMENDMENT OF THE ANNEXES
     1. Subject to the relevant provisions of this Convention, amendments to the Annexes may be
     made by the International Labour Conference, acting on the advice of a duly constituted
     tripartite maritime body of the International Labour Organization. The decision shall require a
     majority of two-thirds of the votes cast by the delegates present at the Conference, including
     at least half the Members that have ratified this Convention.
     2. Any Member that has ratified this Convention may give written notice to the Director-
     General within six months of the date of the adoption of such an amendment that it shall not
     enter into force for that Member, or shall only enter into force at a later date upon subsequent
     written notification.
     Article 9

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 ---pagebreak---      TRANSITIONAL PROVISION
     Any Member which is a party to the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958, and
     which is taking measures, in accordance with article 19 of the Constitution of the
     International Labour Organisation, with a view to ratification of this Convention may notify
     the Director-General of its intention to apply the present Convention provisionally. A
     seafarers' identity document issued by such a Member shall be treated for the purposes of this
     Convention as a seafarers' identity document issued under it provided that the requirements of
     Articles 2 to 5 of this Convention are fulfilled and that the Member concerned accepts
     seafarers' identity documents issued under this Convention.
     FINAL PROVISIONS
     Article 10
     This Convention revises the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958.
     Article 11
     The formal ratifications of this Convention shall be communicated to the Director-General of
     the International Labour Office for registration.
     Article 12
     1. This Convention shall be binding only upon those Members of the International Labour
     Organization whose ratifications have been registered with the Director-General.
     2. It shall come into force six months after the date on which the ratifications of two Members
     have been registered with the Director-General.
     3. Thereafter, this Convention shall come into force for any Member six months after the date
     on which its ratification has been registered.
     Article 13
     1. A Member which has ratified this Convention may denounce it after the expiration of ten
     years from the date on which the Convention first comes into force, by an act communicated
     to the Director-General for registration. Such denunciation shall take effect twelve months
     after the date on which it is registered.
     2. Each Member which has ratified this Convention and which does not, within the year
     following the expiration of the period of ten years mentioned in the preceding paragraph,
     exercise the right of denunciation provided for in this Article, shall be bound for another
     period of ten years and, thereafter, may denounce this Convention at the expiration of each
     period of ten years under the terms provided for in this Article.
     Article 14
     1. The Director-General shall notify all Members of the registration of all ratifications,
     declarations and acts of denunciation communicated by the Members.
     2. When notifying the Members of the registration of the second ratification of this
     Convention, the Director-General shall draw the attention of the Members to the date upon
     which the Convention shall come into force.

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 ---pagebreak---      3. The Director-General shall notify all Members of the registration of any amendments made
     to the Annexes in accordance with Article 8, as well as of notifications relating thereto.
     Article 15
     The Director-General of the International Labour Office shall communicate to the Secretary-
     General of the United Nations, for registration in accordance with article 102 of the Charter of
     the United Nations, full particulars of all ratifications, declarations and acts of denunciation
     registered by the Director-General in accordance with the provisions of the preceding
     Articles.
     Article 16
     At such times as it may consider necessary, the Governing Body of the International Labour
     Office shall present to the General Conference a report on the working of this Convention and
     shall examine the desirability of placing on the agenda of the Conference the question of its
     revision in whole or in part, taking account also of the provisions of Article 8.
     Article 17
     1. Should the Conference adopt a new Convention revising this Convention in whole or in
     part, then, unless the new Convention otherwise provides:
     (a) the ratification by a Member of the new revising Convention shall ipso jure involve the
     immediate denunciation of this Convention, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 13, if
     and when the new revising Convention shall have come into force;
     (b) as from the date when the new revising Convention comes into force, this Convention
     shall cease to be open to ratification by the Members.
     2. This Convention shall in any case remain in force in its actual form and content for those
     Members which have ratified it but have not ratified the revising Convention.
     Article 18
     The English and French versions of the text of this Convention are equally authoritative.
     ANNEX
     Annex I
     Model for seafarers' identity document
     The seafarers' identity document, whose form and content are set out below, shall consist of
     good-quality materials which, as far as practicable, having regard to considerations such as
     cost, are not easily accessible to the general public. The document shall have no more space
     than is necessary to contain the information provided for by the Convention.
     It shall contain the name of the issuing State and the following statement:
     "This document is a seafarers' identity document for the purpose of the Seafarers' Identity
     Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, of the International Labour Organization. This
     document is a stand-alone document and not a passport."

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 ---pagebreak---      The data page(s) of the document indicated in bold below shall be protected by a laminate or
     overlay, or by applying an imaging technology and substrate material that provide an
     equivalent resistance to substitution of the portrait and other biographical data.
     The materials used, dimensions and placement of data shall conform to the International Civil
     Aviation Organization (ICAO) specifications as contained in Document 9303 Part 3 (2nd
     edition, 2002) or Document 9303 Part 1 (5th edition, 2003).
     Other security features shall include at least one of the following features:
     Watermarks, ultraviolet security features, use of special inks, special colour designs,
     perforated images, holograms, laser engraving, micro-printing, and heat-sealed lamination.
     Data to be entered on the data page(s) of the seafarers' identity document shall be restricted to:
     I. Issuing authority:
     II. Telephone number(s), email and web site of the authority:
     III. Date and place of issue:
     ------ Digital or original photograph of seafarer ---------
     (a) Full name of seafarer:
     (b) Sex:
     (c) Date and place of birth:
     (d) Nationality:
     (e) Any special physical characteristics of seafarer that may assist identification:
     (f) Signature:
     (g) Date of expiry:
     (h) Type or designation of document:
     (i) Unique document number:
     (j) Personal identification number (optional):
     (k) Biometric template based on a fingerprint printed as numbers in a bar code conforming to
     a standard to be developed:
     (l) A machine-readable zone conforming to ICAO specifications in Document 9303 specified
     above.
     IV. Official seal or stamp of the issuing authority.
     Explanation of data
     The captions on fields on the data page(s) above may be translated into the language(s) of the
     issuing State. If the national language is other than English, French or Spanish, the captions
     shall also be entered in one of these languages.

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 ---pagebreak---      The Roman alphabet should be used for all entries in this document.
     The information listed above shall have the following characteristics:
     I. Issuing authority: ISO code for the issuing State and the name and full address of the office
     issuing the seafarers' identity document as well as the name and position of the person
     authorizing the issue.
     II. The telephone number, email and web site shall correspond to the links to the focal point
     referred to in the Convention.
     III. Date and place of issue: the date shall be written in two-digit Arabic numerals in the form
     day/month/year - e.g. 31/12/03; the place shall be written in the same way as on the national
     passport.
     -------- Size of the portrait photograph: as in ICAO Document 9303 specified above -------
     (a) Full name of seafarer: where applicable, family name shall be written first, followed by the
     seafarer's other names;
     (b) Sex: specify "M" for male or "F" for female;
     (c) Date and place of birth: the date shall be written in two-digit Arabic numerals in the form
     day/month/year; the place shall be written in the same way as on the national passport;
     (d) Statement of nationality: specify nationality;
     (e) Special physical characteristics: any evident characteristics assisting identification;
     (f) Signature of seafarer;
     (g) Date of expiry: in two-digit Arabic numerals in the form day/month/year;
     (h) Type or designation of document: character code for document type, written in capitals in
     the Roman alphabet (S);
     (i) Unique document number: country code (see I above) followed by an alphanumeric book
     inventory number of no more than nine characters;
     (j) Personal identification number: optional personal identification number of the seafarer;
     identification number of no more than 14 alphanumeric characters;
     (k) Biometric template: precise specification to be developed;
     (l) Machine-readable zone: according to ICAO Document 9303 specified above. <
     Annex II
     Electronic database
     The details to be provided for each record in the electronic database to be maintained by each
     Member in accordance with Article 4, paragraphs 1, 2, 6 and 7 of this Convention shall be
     restricted to:
     Section 1

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 ---pagebreak---      1. Issuing authority named on the identity document.
     2. Full name of seafarer as written on the identity document.
     3. Unique document number of the identity document.
     4. Date of expiry or suspension or withdrawal of the identity document.
     Section 2
     5. Biometric template appearing on the identity document.
     6. Photograph.
     7. Details of all inquiries made concerning the seafarers' identity document.
     Annex III
     Requirements and recommended procedures and practices concerning the issuance of
     seafarers' identity documents
     This Annex sets out minimum requirements relating to procedures to be adopted by each
     Member in accordance with Article 5 of this Convention, with respect to the issuance of
     seafarers' identity documents (referred to below as "SIDs"), including quality-control
     procedures.
     Part A lists the mandatory results that must be achieved, as a minimum, by each Member, in
     implementing a system of issuance of SIDs.
     Part B recommends procedures and practices for achieving those results. Part B is to be given
     full consideration by Members, but is not mandatory.
     Part A.Mandatory results
     1. Production and delivery of blank SIDs
     Processes and procedures are in place to ensure the necessary security for the production and
     delivery of blank SIDs, including the following:
     (a) all blank SIDs are of uniform quality and meet the specifications in content and form as
     contained in Annex I;
     (b) the materials used for production are protected and controlled;
     (c) blank SIDs are protected, controlled, identified and tracked during the production and
     delivery processes;
     (d) producers have the means of properly meeting their obligations in relation to the
     production and delivery of blank SIDs;
     (e) the transport of the blank SIDs from the producer to the issuing authority is secure.
     2. Custody, handling and accountability for blank and completed SIDs
     Processes and procedures are in place to ensure the necessary security for the custody,
     handling and accountability for blank and completed SIDs, including the following:

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 ---pagebreak---      (a) the custody and handling of blank and completed SIDs is controlled by the issuing
     authority;
     (b) blank, completed and voided SIDs, including those used as specimens, are protected,
     controlled, identified and tracked;
     (c) personnel involved with the process meet standards of reliability, trustworthiness and
     loyalty required by their positions and have appropriate training;
     (d) the division of responsibilities among authorized officials is designed to prevent the
     issuance of unauthorized SIDs.
     3. Processing of applications; suspension or withdrawal of SIDs; appeal procedures
     Processes and procedures are in place to ensure the necessary security for the processing of
     applications, the completion of the blank SIDs into personalized SIDs by the authority and
     unit responsible for issuing them, and the delivery of the SIDs, including:
     (a) processes for verification and approval ensuring that SIDs, when first applied for and
     when renewed, are issued only on the basis of:
     (i) applications completed with all information required by Annex I,
     (ii) proof of identity of the applicant in accordance with the law and practice of the issuing
     State,
     (iii) proof of nationality or permanent residence,
     (iv) proof that the applicant is a seafarer within the meaning of Article 1,
     (v) assurance that applicants, especially those with more than one nationality or having the
     status of permanent residents, are not issued with more than one SID,
     (vi) verification that the applicant does not constitute a risk to security, with proper respect for
     the fundamental rights and freedoms set out in international instruments.
     (b) the processes ensure that:
     (i) the particulars of each item contained in Annex II are entered in the database
     simultaneously with issuance of the SID,
     (ii) the data, photograph, signature and biometric gathered from the applicant correspond to
     the applicant, and
     (iii) the data, photograph, signature and biometric gathered from the applicant are linked to
     the application throughout the processing, issuance and delivery of the SID.
     (c) prompt action is taken to update the database when an issued SID is suspended or
     withdrawn;
     (d) an extension and/or renewal system has been established to provide for circumstances
     where a seafarer is in need of extension or renewal of his or her SID and in circumstances
     where the SID is lost;

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 ---pagebreak---      (e) the circumstances in which SIDs may be suspended or withdrawn are established in
     consultation with shipowners' and seafarers' organizations;
     (f) effective and transparent appeal procedures are in place.
     4. Operation, security and maintenance of the database
     Processes and procedures are in place to ensure the necessary security for the operation and
     maintenance of the database, including the following:
     (a) the database is secure from tampering and from unauthorized access;
     (b) data are current, protected against loss of information and available for query at all times
     through the focal point;
     (c) databases are not appended, copied, linked or written to other databases; information from
     the database is not used for purposes other than authenticating the seafarers' identity;
     (d) the individual's rights are respected, including:
     (i) the right to privacy in the collection, storage, handling and communication of personal
     data; and
     (ii) the right of access to data concerning him or her and to have any inaccuracies corrected in
     a timely manner.
     5. Quality control of procedures and periodic evaluations
     (a) Processes and procedures are in place to ensure the necessary security through the quality
     control of procedures and periodic evaluations, including the monitoring of processes, to
     ensure that required performance standards are met, for:
     (i) production and delivery of blank SIDs,
     (ii) custody, handling and accountability for blank, voided and personalized SIDs,
     (iii) processing of applications, completion of blank SIDs into personalized SIDs by the
     authority and unit responsible for issuance and delivery,
     (iv) operation, security and maintenance of the database.
     (b) Periodic reviews are carried out to ensure the reliability of the issuance system and of the
     procedures and their conformity with the requirements of this Convention.
     (c) Procedures are in place to protect the confidentiality of information contained in reports on
     periodic evaluations provided by other ratifying Members.
     Part B. Recommended procedures and practices
     1. Production and delivery of blank SIDs
     1.1. In the interest of security and uniformity of SIDs, the competent authority should select
     an effective source for the production of blank SIDs to be issued by the Member.
     1.2. If the blanks are to be produced on the premises of the authority responsible for the
     issuance of SIDs ("the issuing authority"), section 2.2 below applies.

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 ---pagebreak---      1.3. If an outside enterprise is selected, the competent authority should:
     1.3.1. check that the enterprise is of undisputed integrity, financial stability and reliability;
     1.3.2. require the enterprise to designate all the employees who will be engaged in the
     production of blank SIDs;
     1.3.3. require the enterprise to furnish the authority with proof that demonstrates that there are
     adequate systems in place to ensure the reliability, trustworthiness and loyalty of designated
     employees and to satisfy the authority that it provides each such employee with adequate
     means of subsistence and adequate job security;
     1.3.4. conclude a written agreement with the enterprise which, without prejudice to the
     authority's own responsibility for SIDs, should, in particular, establish the specifications and
     directions referred to under section 1.5 below and require the enterprise:
     1.3.4.1. to ensure that only the designated employees, who must have assumed strict
     obligations of confidentiality, are engaged in the production of the blank SIDs;
     1.3.4.2. to take all necessary security measures for the transport of the blank SIDs from its
     premises to the premises of the issuing authority. Issuing agents cannot be absolved from the
     liability on the grounds that they are not negligent in this regard;
     1.3.4.3. to accompany each consignment with a precise statement of its contents; this
     statement should, in particular, specify the reference numbers of the SIDs in each package.
     1.3.5. ensure that the agreement includes a provision to allow for completion if the original
     contractor is unable to continue;
     1.3.6. satisfy itself, before signing the agreement, that the enterprise has the means of properly
     performing all the above obligations.
     1.4. If the blank SIDs are to be supplied by an authority or enterprise outside the Member's
     territory, the competent authority of the Member may mandate an appropriate authority in the
     foreign country to ensure that the requirements recommended in this section are met.
     1.5. The competent authority should inter alia:
     1.5.1. establish detailed specifications for all materials to be used in the production of the
     blank SIDs; these materials should conform to the general specifications set out in Annex I to
     this Convention;
     1.5.2. establish precise specifications relating to the form and content of the blank SIDs as set
     out in Annex I;
     1.5.3. ensure that the specifications enable uniformity in the printing of blank SIDs if different
     printers are subsequently used;
     1.5.4. provide clear directions for the generation of a unique document number to be printed
     on each blank SID in a sequential manner in accordance with Annex I; and
     1.5.5. establish precise specifications governing the custody of all materials during the
     production process.
     2. Custody, handling and accountability for blank and completed SIDs

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 ---pagebreak---      2.1. All operations relating to the issuance process (including the custody of blank, voided
     and completed SIDs, the implements and materials for completing them, the processing of
     applications, the issuance of SIDs, the maintenance and the security of databases) should be
     carried out under the direct control of the issuing authority.
     2.2. The issuing authority should prepare an appraisal of all officials involved in the issuance
     process establishing, in the case of each of them, a record of reliability, trustworthiness and
     loyalty.
     2.3. The issuing authority should ensure that no officials involved in the issuance process are
     members of the same immediate family.
     2.4. The individual responsibilities of the officials involved in the issuance process should be
     adequately defined by the issuing authority.
     2.5. No single official should be responsible for carrying out all the operations required in the
     processing of an application for a SID and the preparation of the corresponding SID. The
     official who assigns applications to an official responsible for issuing SIDs should not be
     involved in the issuance process. There should be a rotation in the officials assigned to the
     different duties related to the processing of applications and the issuance of SIDs.
     2.6. The issuing authority should draw up internal rules ensuring:
     2.6.1. that the blank SIDs are kept secured and released only to the extent necessary to meet
     expected day-to-day operations and only to the officials responsible for completing them into
     personalized SIDs or to any specially authorized official, and that surplus blank SIDs are
     returned at the end of each day; measures to secure SIDs should be understood as including
     the use of devices for the prevention of unauthorized access and detection of intruders;
     2.6.2. that any blank SIDs used as specimens are defaced and marked as such;
     2.6.3. that each day a record, to be stored in a safe place, is maintained of the whereabouts of
     each blank SID and of each personalized SID that has not yet been issued, also identifying
     those that are secured and those that are in the possession of a specified official or officials;
     the record should be maintained by an official who is not involved in the handling of the
     blank SIDs or SIDs that have not yet been issued;
     2.6.4. that no person should have access to the blank SIDs and to the implements and
     materials for completing them other than the officials responsible for completing the blank
     SIDs or any specially authorized official;
     2.6.5. that each personalized SID is kept secured and released only to the official responsible
     for issuing the SID or to any specially authorized official;
     2.6.5.1. the specially authorized officials should be limited to:
     (a) persons acting under the written authorization of the executive head of the authority or of
     any person officially representing the executive head, and
     (b) the controller referred to in section 5 below and persons appointed to carry out an audit or
     other control;
     2.6.6. that officials are strictly prohibited from any involvement in the issuance process for a
     SID applied for by a member of their family or a close friend;

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 ---pagebreak---      2.6.7. that any theft or attempted theft of SIDs or of implements or materials for personalizing
     them should be promptly reported to the police authorities for investigation.
     2.7. Errors in the issuance process should invalidate the SID concerned, which may not be
     corrected and issued.
     3. Processing of applications; suspension or withdrawal of SIDs; appeal procedures
     3.1. The issuing authority should ensure that all officials with responsibility concerning the
     review of applications for SIDs have received relevant training in fraud detection and in the
     use of computer technology.
     3.2. The issuing authority should draw up rules ensuring that SIDs are issued only on the basis
     of: an application completed and signed by the seafarer concerned; proof of identity; proof of
     nationality or permanent residence; and proof that the applicant is a seafarer.
     3.3. The application should contain all the information specified as mandatory in Annex I to
     this Convention. The application form should require applicants to note that they will be
     liable to prosecution and penal sanctions if they make any statement that they know to be
     false.
     3.4. When a SID is first applied for, and whenever subsequently considered necessary on the
     occasion of a renewal:
     3.4.1. the application, completed except for the signature, should be presented by the
     applicant in person, to an official designated by the issuing authority;
     3.4.2. a digital or original photograph and the biometric of the applicant should be taken under
     the control of the designated official;
     3.4.3. the application should be signed in the presence of the designated official;
     3.4.4. the application should then be transmitted by the designated official directly to the
     issuing authority for processing.
     3.5. Adequate measures should be adopted by the issuing authority to ensure the security and
     the confidentiality of the digital or original photograph and the biometric.
     3.6. The proof of identity provided by the applicant should be in accordance with the laws and
     practice of the issuing State. It may consist of a recent photograph of the applicant, certified
     as being a true likeness of him or her by the shipowner or shipmaster or other employer of the
     applicant or the director of the applicant's training establishment.
     3.7. The proof of nationality or permanent residence will normally consist of the applicant's
     passport or certificate of admission as a permanent resident.
     3.8. Applicants should be asked to declare all other nationalities that they may possess and
     affirm that they have not been issued with and have not applied for a SID from any other
     Member.
     3.9. The applicant should not be issued with a SID for so long as he or she possesses another
     SID.

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 ---pagebreak---      3.9.1. An early renewal system should apply in circumstances where a seafarer is aware in
     advance that the period of service is such that he or she will be unable to make his or her
     application at the date of expiry or renewal;
     3.9.2. An extension system should apply in circumstances where an extension of a SID is
     required due to an unforeseen extension of the period of service;
     3.9.3. A replacement system should apply in circumstances where a SID is lost. A suitable
     temporary document can be issued.
     3.10. The proof that the applicant is a seafarer, within the meaning of Article 1 of this
     Convention should at least consist of:
     3.10.1. a previous SID, or a seafarers' discharge book; or
     3.10.2. a certificate of competency, qualification or other relevant training; or
     3.10.3. equally cogent evidence.
     3.11. Supplementary proof should be sought where deemed appropriate.
     3.12. All applications should be subject to at least the following verifications by a competent
     official of the issuing authority of SIDs:
     3.12.1. verification that the application is complete and shows no inconsistency raising doubts
     as to the truth of the statements made;
     3.12.2. verification that the details given and the signature correspond to those on the
     applicant's passport or other reliable document;
     3.12.3. verification, with the passport authority or other competent authority, of the
     genuineness of the passport or other document produced; where there is reason to doubt the
     genuineness of the passport, the original should be sent to the authority concerned; otherwise,
     a copy of the relevant pages may be sent;
     3.12.4. comparison of the photograph provided, where appropriate, with the digital
     photograph referred to in section 3.4.2 above;
     3.12.5. verification of the apparent genuineness of the certification referred to in section 3.6
     above;
     3.12.6. verification that the proof referred to in section 3.10 substantiates that the applicant is
     indeed a seafarer;
     3.12.7. verification, in the database referred to in Article 4 of the Convention, to ensure that a
     person corresponding to the applicant has not already been issued with a SID; if the applicant
     has or may have more than one nationality or any permanent residence outside the country of
     nationality, the necessary inquiries should also be made with the competent authorities of the
     other country or countries concerned;
     3.12.8. verification, in any relevant national or international database that may be accessible
     to the issuing authority, to ensure that a person corresponding to the applicant does not
     constitute a possible security risk.

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 ---pagebreak---      3.13. The official referred to in section 3.12 above should prepare brief notes for the record
     indicating the results of each of the above verifications, and drawing attention to the facts that
     justify the conclusion that the applicant is a seafarer.
     3.14. Once fully checked, the application, accompanied by the supporting documents and the
     notes for the record, should be forwarded to the official responsible for completion of the SID
     to be issued to the applicant.
     3.15. The completed SID, accompanied by the related file in the issuing authority, should then
     be forwarded to a senior official of that authority for approval.
     3.16. The senior official should give such approval only if satisfied, after review of at least the
     notes for the record, that the procedures have been properly followed and that the issuance of
     the SID to the applicant is justified.
     3.17. This approval should be given in writing and be accompanied by explanations
     concerning any features of the application that need special consideration.
     3.18. The SID (together with the passport or similar document provided) should be handed to
     the applicant directly against receipt, or sent to the applicant or, if the latter has so requested,
     to his or her shipmaster or employer in both cases by reliable postal communication requiring
     advice of receipt.
     3.19. When the SID is issued to the applicant, the particulars specified in Annex II to the
     Convention should be entered in the database referred to in Article 4 of the Convention.
     3.20. The rules of the issuing authority should specify a maximum period for receipt after
     dispatch. If advice of receipt is not received within that period and after due notification of the
     seafarer, an appropriate annotation should be made in the database and the SID should be
     officially reported as lost and the seafarer informed.
     3.21. All annotations to be made, such as, in particular, the brief notes for the record (see
     section 3.13 above) and the explanations referred to in section 3.17, should be kept in a safe
     place during the period of validity of the SID and for three years afterwards. Those
     annotations and explanations required by section 3.17 should be recorded in a separate
     internal database, and rendered accessible: (a) to persons responsible for monitoring
     operations; (b) to officials involved in the review of applications for SIDs; and (c) for training
     purposes.
     3.22. When information is received suggesting that a SID was wrongly issued or that the
     conditions for its issue are no longer applicable, the matter should be promptly notified to the
     issuing authority with a view to its rapid withdrawal.
     3.23. When a SID is suspended or withdrawn the issuing authority should immediately update
     its database to indicate that this SID is not currently recognized.
     3.24. If an application for a SID is refused or a decision is taken to suspend or withdraw a
     SID, the applicant should be officially informed of his or her right of appeal and fully
     informed of the reasons for the decision.
     3.25. The procedures for appeal should be as rapid as possible and consistent with the need
     for fair and complete consideration.
     4. Operation, security and maintenance of the database

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 ---pagebreak---      4.1. The issuing authority should make the necessary arrangements and rules to implement
     Article 4 of this Convention, ensuring in particular:
     4.1.1. the availability of a focal point or electronic access over 24 hours a day, seven days a
     week, as required under paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of Article 4 of the Convention;
     4.1.2. the security of the database;
     4.1.3. the respect for individual rights in the storage, handling and communication of data;
     4.1.4. the respect for the seafarer's right to verify the accuracy of data relating to him or her
     and to have corrected, in a timely manner, any inaccuracies found.
     4.2. The issuing authority should draw up adequate procedures for protecting the database,
     including:
     4.2.1. a requirement for the regular creation of back-up copies of the database, to be stored on
     media held in a safe location away from the premises of the issuing authority;
     4.2.2. the restriction to specially authorized officials of permission to access or make changes
     to an entry in the database once the entry has been confirmed by the official making it.
     5. Quality control of procedures and periodic evaluations
     5.1. The issuing authority should appoint a senior official of recognized integrity, loyalty and
     reliability, who is not involved in the custody or handling of SIDs, to act as controller:
     5.1.1. to monitor on a continuous basis the implementation of these minimum requirements;
     5.1.2. to draw immediate attention to any shortcomings in the implementation;
     5.1.3. to provide the executive head and the concerned officials with advice on improvements
     to the procedures for the issuance of SIDs; and
     5.1.4. to submit a quality-control report to management on the above. The controller should, if
     possible, be familiar with all the operations to be monitored.
     5.2. The controller should report directly to the executive head of the issuing authority.
     5.3. All officials of the issuing authority, including the executive head, should be placed under
     a duty to provide the controller with all documentation or information that the controller
     considers relevant to the performance of his or her tasks.
     5.4. The issuing authority should make appropriate arrangements to ensure that officials can
     speak freely to the controller without fear of victimization.
     5.5. The terms of reference of the controller should require that particular attention be given to
     the following tasks:
     5.5.1. verifying that the resources, premises, equipment and staff are sufficient for the
     efficient performance of the functions of the issuing authority;
     5.5.2. ensuring that the arrangements for the safe custody of the blank and completed SIDs are
     adequate;

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 ---pagebreak---      5.5.3. ensuring that adequate rules, arrangements or procedures are in place in accordance
     with sections 2.6, 3.2, 4 and 5.4 above.
     5.5.4. ensuring that those rules and procedures, as well as arrangements, are well known and
     understood by the officials concerned;
     5.5.5. detailed monitoring on a random basis of each action carried out, including the related
     annotations and other records, in processing particular cases, from the receipt of the
     application for a SID to the end of the procedure for its issuance;
     5.5.6. verification of the efficacy of the security measures used for the custody of blank SIDs,
     implements and materials;
     5.5.7. verification, if necessary with the aid of a trusted expert, of the security and veracity of
     the information stored electronically and that the requirement for 24 hours a day, seven days a
     week access is maintained;
     5.5.8. investigating any reliable report of a possible wrongful issuance of a SID or of a
     possible falsification or fraudulent obtention of a SID, in order to identify any internal
     malpractice or weakness in systems that could have resulted in or assisted the wrongful
     issuance or falsification or fraud;
     5.5.9. investigating complaints alleging inadequate access to the details in the database given
     the requirements of paragraphs 2, 3 and 5 of Article 4 of the Convention, or inaccuracies in
     those details;
     5.5.10. ensuring that reports identifying improvements to the issuance procedures and areas of
     weakness have been acted upon in a timely and effective manner by the executive head of the
     issuing authority;
     5.5.11. maintaining records of quality-control checks that have been carried out;
     5.5.12. ensuring that management reviews of quality-control checks have been performed and
     that records of such reviews are maintained.
     5.6. The executive head of the issuing authority should ensure a periodic evaluation of the
     reliability of the issuance system and procedures, and of their conformity with the
     requirements of this Convention. Such evaluation should take into account the following:
     5.6.1. findings of any audits of the issuance system and procedures;
     5.6.2. reports and findings of investigations and of other indications relevant to the
     effectiveness of corrective action taken as a result of reported weaknesses or breaches of
     security;
     5.6.3. records of SIDs issued, lost, voided or spoiled;
     5.6.4. records relating to the functioning of quality control;
     5.6.5. records of problems with respect to the reliability or security of the electronic database,
     including inquiries made to the database;
     5.6.6. effects of changes to the issuance system and procedures resulting from technological
     improvements or innovations in the SID issuance procedures;

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 ---pagebreak---      5.6.7. conclusions of management reviews;
     5.6.8. audit of procedures to ensure that they are applied in a manner consistent with respect
     for fundamental principles and rights at work embodied in relevant ILO instruments.
     5.7. Procedures and processes should be put in place to prevent unauthorized disclosure of
     reports provided by other Members.
     5.8. All audit procedures and processes should ensure that the production techniques and
     security practices, including the stock control procedures, are sufficient to meet the
     requirements of this Annex.

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