Barbadian Vessels Accommodation Standards

C25026 | 30 April 2025

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors / Auditors:

The Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR) has issued Bulletin 028 Barbadian Vessels’ Accommodation Standards, which supersedes and replaces Bulletin 223: ILO Crew Accommodation Standards.

The Bulletin offers guidance on the accommodation requirements for Barbadian vessels built before 20 August 2013, as well as those exempt from MLC 2006.

The bulletin applies to all Barbadian-flagged commercial vessels over 500 Gross Tonnage engaged in international voyages and commercially operated yachts over 200 Gross Tonnage engaged in international voyages.

The Bulletin covers:

• General requirements applicable to all vessels:
  • Insulation and Materials
  • Lighting
  • Ventilation and Air Conditioning
  • Heating
  • Drainage
  • Noise and Vibration
  • Sanitary, Mess, Hospital and Recreational Facilities
• Inspection and Documentation Requirements
• Requirements for vessels constructed on or after 20 August 2013 (MLC applies)
• Requirements for vessels constructed before 20 August 2013 (MLC applies)
• Requirements for vessels not covered by MLC 2006
• Exemptions, Equivalence and Permits

Points to Note:

Vessels constructed on or after 20 August 2013 are to comply fully with Title 3 of MLC 2006.

Vessels constructed before 20 August 2013 are to comply with ILO Convention 92 and ILO Convention 133.

Vessels not covered by MLC 2006 are to comply with the ILO Convention 92 and ILO Convention 133 to the extent practicable.

Inspection and Documentation Requirements:

• Inspections covering the items listed in MLC 2006, Standard A3.2.7 must be carried out on board ships by or under the authority of the Master at least once every seven days. These must not only cover the supplies of food and drinking water, but must be done “in relation to their quantity, nutritional value, quality, and variety.”
• Each inspection must be recorded in the Official Log Book, including the date, time, names and ranks of the inspectors, and any deficiencies identified.
• All potable water should comply with the WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water.

Exemption, Equivalence and Permits:

• Applications for the acceptance of an equivalency, exemption, or exception from MLC 2006 requirements are to be submitted to the BMSR when requesting the DMLC Part I. More information is provided in BMSR Bulletin 007, Sec. 8.
• For defect and temporary non-compliance with any of the requirements of the bulletin and relevant Conventions and Codes, a request for a permit is to be sent as outlined in BMSR Bulletin 008.

Act now

Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators/ Surveyors/ Auditors are to take note of the contents of the BMSR Bulletin 028 and be guided accordingly.