Ensuring Health and Safety Standards on Panamanian Flagged Vessels: Guidelines for Shipowners and Operators

The Panama Maritime Authority’s Circular MMC-367 provides guidelines to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for crew members aboard Panamanian-flagged vessels. It stresses the importance of risk assessments, emergency plans, and compliance with international safety standards, including SOLAS and the Maritime Labour Convention. Shipowners must ensure the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment and training to prevent accidents. The circular also highlights the responsibility of the shipowner to manage biological risks and delegate safety tasks to the master.

The guidelines emphasize the importance of ensuring health and safety on Panamanian-flagged vessels. Shipowners are required to implement Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policies, conduct risk assessments, and maintain a safety culture onboard. Seafarers must be trained, provided with appropriate protective equipment, and involved in safety initiatives. Special attention is given to the prevention of biological hazards and the well-being of women seafarers, as well as ensuring compliance with international health regulations. All incidents must be reported and investigated according to official procedures.

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