Crew change

A crew change is the planned replacement of on-signing seafarers with off-signing ones, normally executed in port so reliefs join and leave with a valid handover. The crew manager coordinates joining travel, visas, the seafarer’s medical and certificates of competency, and confirms the relief is qualified for the safe-manning rank before the predecessor departs. MLC 2006 Regulation 2.5 caps continuous shipboard service at a maximum of 11 months before repatriation is due, which drives the crew-change schedule. A failed or delayed crew change that pushes a seafarer past contract end or leaves a watchkeeping rank short of the minimum safe manning document is a port state control and ISM finding.