SIGNING ON

Lesson 5

1. BOARD OF TRADE

2. NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WHEN SIGNING ON

THE POOL CHIT - a certificate issued by the seamen’s employment agency (council of shipping) to prove that seamen has been sent by this office and possesses the right qualifications.

2. NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WHEN SIGNING ON

THE DISCHARGE BOOK (SEAMAN ‘S BOOK ) - a continuous record of the seaman’s services at sea, issued by the mercantile marine office. It contains the seaman’ s names and a photograph, particulars of the ship served in, reports on character and ability.

The discharge book is held in custody of Master while at sea.

2. NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WHEN SIGNING ON

THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY - FOR OFFICERS

THE PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE - FOR RATINGS

2. NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WHEN SIGNING ON

THE VACCINATION CERTIFICATE ( YELLOW BOOK ) - it proves the seaman has been inoculated against infectious diseases ( cholera, yellow fever, smallpox etc. )

THE HEALTH INSURANCE CARD 

3. THE ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT

before a seaman is engaged on board and becomes a member of the crew for the intended voyage he must sign a contract

the contract of employment made between the ship owner and each individual seaman is called Articles of agreement (terms, conditions, clauses)

4. ITEMS OF THE ARTICLES

= particulars of the agreement nature of the voyage and its duration rate of pay disciplinary measures time of commencement / termination of

engagement amount of advance of seaman’s wages amount of any allotment to a relative/

next to kin (wife, mother, father etc.)

5. SEAMAN’S DUTIES

to obey all lawful commands given by superiors

to execute the duties in a dilligent manner

when the ship is in danger to do everything possible to help in saving the ship or cargo without requiring additional earning for the work done

not to be drunk / to be always sober in the post of duty