Panama: Regulation for the safety of vessels under 500 GRT

The Panama Maritime Authority has published a merchant marine circular (MMC-299) on the regulation for the safety of vessels under 500 GRT.

This Circular announces Panama's new safety and environmental regulations for cargo vessels under 500 GRT with international Registry Certificates. It replaces Decree 45 from 1981.

The Resolution is equivalent to Decree 45, and Recognized Organizations can issue certificates for it.

It applies to cargo vessels and crew boats, excluding smaller ships, non-propelled vessels, pleasure yachts, and fishing vessels.

Exemptions apply for vessels without specific survival craft, and for longer distances, an Exemption Certificate is required.

Recognized Organizations should update certificates to reference the Resolution.

Note that Interim Certificates cannot be extended, Full-term Certificates need authorization, and surveyors' names must be on Interim Certificates.

This circular was issued on 1 September 2023 and supersedes MMC-38.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Regulation for the Safety of Vessels under 500GRT