Circular No. 47/2015/TT-BGTVT stipulates the scope of responsibility of crew members, drivers of vessels, and the minimum safety crew complement on inland waterway vessels.

CIRCULAR

Article 1 stipulates the scope of responsibility of seafarers, drivers of vessels and the minimum safe manning on inland waterway vessels.

and the minimum safe manning on inland waterway vessels.a

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Camendpursuant to the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic dated June 15, 2004 and the Law Amending the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic dated June 7, 2014;June 2024;Pursuant to Decree No. 107/2012/ND-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration under the Ministry of Transport;, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPm, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP ,No. INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSIVES - TNP1 EXPLOSIVES管理条例 The Minister of Transport issues this Circular stipulating the scope of responsibility of seafarers, drivers of vessels and the minimum safe manning on inland waterway vessels.Deputy ministers of ministerial-level agencies,1. This Circular stipulates the scope of responsibility of seafarers, drivers of vessels and the minimum safe manning on inland waterway vessels.y 12. This Circular does not apply to vessels performing security and defense duties.

This Circular applies to vessel owners, seafarers, drivers of vessels and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.Deputy ministers of ministerial-level agencies,A work shiftof the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs4. Circular No. 34/2013/TT-BGTVT dated October 15, 2013 of the Minister of the Ministry of Transport stipulating the tasks, powers, and organization of the Inspectorate of the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

At the proposal of the Director of the Organization DepartmentJune 2024;is the time during which a seafarer performs their assigned duties on an inland waterway vessel but does not exceed eight hours of work in one day.

A voyagei is the period from the departure port or wharf to the final destination port or wharf.onArticle 4. General responsibilities of seafarers and drivers of inland waterway vesselsNo.họcdevelopment2. Adhere to labor discipline, fully perform their duties according to their position while working, strictly follow the captain's orders and those of direct supervisors, complete handover procedures, and keep detailed and clear logs.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

3. Shall leave the vessel only with permission from the highest authority on board or the vessel owner.

Article 5. Responsibilities of the vessel owner

Article 2. Applicability

1. Maintain a logbook of seafarers according to the model prescribed in Appendix I attached hereto, and maintain a vessel logbook for vessels operating along the coast with VR-SB grade according to the model prescribed in Appendix II attached hereto. If necessary, the vessel owner may establish additional logs such as watch logs, fuel logs, refrigeration operation logs, electrical logs, radio logs, chronometer logs, and dispatch logs to meet operational requirements.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. 2. Ensure sufficient number and appropriate qualifications of seafarers working on the vessel, matching the number of work shifts in a day. 3. In addition to the positions specified in the minimum safe manning table in Article 19 of this Circular, if necessary, the vessel owner may arrange additional seafarers or other positions such as medical personnel, telegraph operators, divers, excavators, suction workers, tow workers, and service staff to meet operational requirements.

2. 4. Define the scope of responsibility for other positions working on the vessel that are not included in the minimum safe manning table prescribed in this Circular. 5. Ensure occupational safety and hygiene for seafarers and other positions working on the vessel.

Article 6. Vessel Logs

1. Comply with Vietnamese laws, international treaties to which Vietnam is a member, and the laws of other countries when Vietnamese vessels are operating within their territorial waters.

1. Voyage Log

a) Record the entire process of management and exploitation of the vessel's operations;

b) Continuously update and reflect all data and information during the exploitation process as well as maintenance of the vessel;

c) Before use, it must be stamped by the Department of Transport of provinces and centrally administered cities;

d) It must always be placed in the control room for daily recording;

đ) The captain is responsible for monitoring the recording and managing the log during its use. The log must be stored for at least two years after use, then handed over to the vessel owner for storage in accordance with legal regulations on archiving;

e) Only the captain and deputy captain can record the voyage log;

g) When changing shifts, the handover between shifts must be reflected in the logbook.

2. Engine Log

a) Record the entire process of management and exploitation of the vessel's power equipment;

b) Continuously reflect all data and information during the exploitation process as well as maintenance of the engine;

c) Before use, it must be stamped by the Department of Transport of provinces and centrally administered cities;

d) It must always be placed in the engine room for daily recording;

đ) The chief engineer is responsible for monitoring the recording and managing the log during its use. The log must be stored for at least two years after use, then handed over to the vessel owner for storage in accordance with legal regulations on archiving;

e) Only the chief engineer and deputy chief engineer can record the engine log;

g) When changing shifts, the handover between shifts must be reflected in the logbook.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES ACCORDING TO SEAFARER POSITIONS,

DRIVERS OF INLAND WATERWAY VESSELS

a) Record the entire process of managing and operating the motive power equipment of the vessel;

b) Continuously reflect all data and information during the operation as well as maintenance of the vessel's machinery;

c) Before use, it must be stamped by the Department of Transport of provinces and centrally administered cities across the pages;

d) It shall always be placed in the engine room for daily recording;

đ) The chief engineer is responsible for monitoring the recording and management of the logbook during the period of use. The logbook must be stored for at least two years after use, then it must be handed over to the vessel owner for storage in accordance with the legal regulations on archiving;

e) Only the chief engineer and the assistant engineer may record the machinery logbook;

g) When changing shifts, the handover between the two shifts must be reflected in the logbook;

Chapter II

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES ACCORDING TO THE RANK OF SEAFARER,

INLAND WATERWAY VESSEL DRIVER

Article 7. Master of the Vessel           

The captain is the highest commander on the vessel or fleet, responsible for and authorized to carry out the following duties:

1. Manage and ensure safety for persons, vessels, and property on board the vessel.

2. Manage the logbook, crew directory, passenger list (if applicable), and other necessary books and documents of the vessel, organize record-keeping, and regularly check the recording of these books.

3. Organize cargo handling and passenger service according to dispatch orders or transportation contracts and current regulations.

4. Organize the assignment, supervision, and encouragement of crew members to fulfill their tasks.

5. Organize professional training and skill enhancement for crew members and probationary crew members, conduct emergency situation drills.

6. Monitor channel conditions, weather, hydrology, implement vessel operation schedules for routes that require such schedules; only load or unload passengers or goods at designated locations, except in cases of accidents or force majeure.

7. Be thoroughly familiar with the technical condition, operational period, and maintenance cycle of the vessel; when the vessel undergoes repairs, arrange for handover of the vessel, assign crew members to supervise the repair work. When the vessel is launched, conduct inspections of the steering system, rudder, and underwater hull sections, supplement repair requirements, accurately assess the technical condition of each section before and after repair, record this in the acceptance report prior to launching, and have the right to reject repair items not meeting technical requirements.

8. In case of an accident involving the vessel, take all effective rescue measures; if the vessel sinks, the master must be the last person to leave the vessel after implementing all measures to save people, property, and essential documents, unless the vessel has sunk completely.

9. Upon receiving a distress signal or being mobilized by an authorized authority to participate in search and rescue operations, comply with dispatch orders and organize participation in rescue efforts if doing so does not endanger the crew, passengers, and vessel under their command.

10. If there is childbirth, death, illness, or an accident while the vessel is operating on inland waterways, the master must handle the situation according to the following provisions:

a) In case of illness or injury, must organize first aid for the victim, and if serious, promptly transport them to the nearest medical facility;

b) When there is childbirth or death, a record must be established with the participation of two witnesses. The birth record must clearly state the time of birth, gender, and health status of the mother and child. The death record must include a list of personal assets and documents of the deceased, manage these records and assets to hand over to local authorities and relatives of the deceased.

11. When leaving the vessel, directly hand over duties to the deputy master or authorized person; if absent for more than one shift, hand over duties in writing; if unable to continue duties, transfer command to the deputy master and immediately report to the vessel owner.

12. When transferring duties to another person at the request of the vessel owner, establish a handover record detailing the crew status, technical condition of the vessel, equipment, assets, number of passengers, books, documents, and related materials of the vessel. Each party retains a copy of the handover record, and send one copy to the vessel owner.

13. Organize duty assignments and declare relevant contents as required, and notify the competent authority when the vessel is preparing to dock or depart from the port. Before departure, a specific duty assignment chart must be prepared for each position on the vessel; before departure from the port, inspect and urge relevant crew departments to prepare sufficient raw materials, fuel, food, and supplies for the journey; only depart from the port when the vessel is safe, fully prepared for the journey, and permitted by the competent authority.

14. Directly oversee a shift, directly control the vessel through dangerous areas; outside of shift hours, if requested by the deputy master or chief engineer, the master must be present at the command post to promptly address matters.

15. Perform the duties of the deputy master if there is no deputy master structure on the vessel.

16. Within the scope of their responsibilities, the master has the right:

a) To propose changes or refuse to accept seafarers working on the vessel if they do not meet the prescribed standards;

b) To require seafarers to leave the vessel if they fail to comply with the captain's orders or violate work regulations;

c) To refuse to allow the vessel to undertake a voyage if it is determined that the vessel, weather, hydrological, or environmental conditions are insufficient for operation or do not guarantee safety;

d) To propose rewards for crew members who excel in their duties or disciplinary action for those who fail to complete assigned tasks.

Article 8. First Officer

The First Officer assists the Captain and has the responsibilities and authorities as follows:

1. Directly oversees deck-related tasks, manages maintenance and repair work on the vessel's hull from the waterline upwards, superstructure, cargo holds, mooring, steering, communication, life-saving, and fire-fighting systems. Must regularly organize inspections to ensure these facilities are always in good technical condition and ready for operation, immediately reporting any issues to the Captain.

2. Develops voyage plans, assigns watch duties to be approved by the Captain; regularly urges, guides, and supervises crew members to implement voyage plans and watch duties correctly.

3. Directly handles procedures for reporting crew documentation, vessel documentation, transport documents, and cargo handover. Inspects passenger and cargo safety conditions before departure; advises the Captain to refuse departure if passenger or cargo safety conditions are deemed inadequate.

4. Collaborates with the Chief Engineer to assign, urge, guide, and supervise preparatory work for departure; corrects any deficiencies and reports to the Captain.

5. Directly oversees a watch. Directly controls the vessel when assigned.

6. Takes over vessel management duties in the Captain's absence. Performs Second Officer duties if there is no Second Officer structure on board.

7. Carries out other tasks assigned by the Captain.

Article 9. Second Officer

The Second Officer assists the Captain and has the following responsibilities and authorities:

1. Manages the issuance and distribution of crew equipment, living supplies, working tools, and deck department raw materials, preparing periodic reports for the Captain to submit to the vessel owner.

2. Implements attendance marking, monitors leave and compensatory leave, maintains crew wage records.

3. Directly organizes initial medical care and transportation to the nearest medical facility for sick or injured individuals.

4. Oversees passenger boarding, disembarkation, movement on board, and seating arrangements according to regulations to ensure vessel safety, property protection, traffic order, and passenger service compliance.

5. Organizes meals, accommodation, and daily activities, prepares food and provisions for crew members. Must directly inspect preparation work and report to the Captain before each voyage.

6. Handles matters within the First Officer's responsibility or other tasks assigned by the Captain.

7. Directly oversees a watch. Directly controls the vessel when assigned.

Article 10. Seaman

During their watch, Seamen must strictly follow the orders of the watch supervisor and have the following responsibilities:

1. Carry out necessary tasks for the vessel's departure and arrival at port; ensure safe gangway operations for workers and passengers boarding and disembarking.

2. Regularly remain at their designated positions to be prepared for any possible situations.

3. Measure channel depth and maintain vigilance when visibility is limited or in difficult, complex positions as directed by the watch supervisor.

4. Safeguard cargo and assist passengers as assigned during transportation.

5. Maintain and skillfully operate firefighting, lifesaving, and sinking prevention equipment.

6. Maintain and regularly service the vessel's hull above the waterline, including:

a) Cleaning the assigned area thoroughly;

b) Neatly arranging and checking equipment and tools, applying oil and grease to necessary parts;

c) Regularly maintaining, repairing, hammering rust, and painting the assigned area.

7. Directly control the vessel and perform other tasks assigned by the Captain or direct supervisor.

Article 11. Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer assists the Captain and directly oversees the engine room section and has the following responsibilities and authorities:

1. Manage and understand the technical condition of the propulsion system; organize assignments and supervise engine room crew during operations.

2. Fully implement regulations on operating machinery and equipment; organize regular maintenance and repair of permitted work items of machinery and equipment to ensure the system operates effectively.

3. Declare the items requiring repair for the captain to report to the vessel owner.

4. When the vessel docks, conduct inspections of the propeller system, trash screens, and river passage valve boxes; supplement repair requirements or replacements; accurately inspect and evaluate the technical condition of repaired items in the acceptance record; have the authority to reject repairs that do not meet technical requirements.

5. Regularly check the receipt, consumption, and use of fuel, materials, and replacement parts, and report to the captain. Directly manage the fuel system and take all measures to handle concentrated fuel vapors in the engine room.

6. Directly oversee one watch of the engine room. Outside of watch hours, be present in the engine room as required by the captain or the second engineer's request to promptly address tasks.

7. If it is determined that executing the direct commander's orders in the bridge will cause damage to the machinery, report to the watch supervisor or the captain; if the order remains unchanged, execute it and record it in the engine log with confirmation from the person issuing the order.

8. Have the authority to halt operation of a part of the machinery or a system if deemed unsafe; if continued operation would cause severe damage or an accident, immediately stop the machine and notify the watch supervisor and the captain.

9. Manage technical files and records of the machinery section and organize the recording of the engine log.

10. Organize training to improve the professional skills of crew members in the machinery section and probationary crew members.

11. Perform the duties of the second engineer if there is no second engineer position on the vessel.

12. When transferring chief engineer responsibilities, both parties must hand over the current status, technical condition, equipment, assets, logs, and related documents. The transfer record must be confirmed by the captain, each party retains a copy, and send one copy to the vessel owner.

Article 12. First Assistant Engineer

The first assistant engineer assists the chief engineer and has the following responsibilities and authorities:

1. Ensure the normal operation of auxiliary machines (if any), the propeller shaft system, and the mechanical steering gear.

2. Manage the vessel workshop (if any) and the spare parts warehouse; directly manage the receipt, issuance, and consumption of raw materials, fuel, spare parts, and tools; regularly report to the chief engineer on the technical condition of the machinery, usage of raw materials, fuel, spare parts, and tools as prescribed and within the specified timeframe.

3. Manage firefighting equipment in the engine room.

4. Develop work plans for the machinery section for the chief engineer's approval; directly arrange work and assign watch duties for crew members in the machinery section.

5. Directly oversee one watch of the engine room.

6. Only pump or move water and oil with the captain's consent.

7. If it is determined that executing the direct commander's orders in the bridge will cause damage to the machinery, report to the watch supervisor or the captain; if the order remains unchanged, execute it and record it in the engine log with confirmation from the person issuing the order.

8. During the watch, have the authority to halt operation of a part of the machinery or a system if deemed unsafe; if continued operation would cause severe damage or an accident, immediately stop the machine and notify the watch supervisor and the captain.

9. Inspect compliance with rules and cleanliness among machinery crew members.

10. Perform the duties of the second assistant engineer if there is no second assistant engineer position on the vessel.

11. Carry out other assigned tasks when directed by the chief engineer.

Article 13. Second Engineer

The second engineer assists the chief engineer and has the responsibilities and authorities as follows:

1. Ensuring that the fire-fighting water pumps, the diving equipment, and the backup machinery and equipment are in a state of readiness for operation.

2. Directly responsible for one watch.

3. Responsible for the air compressor system, the water pipes, oil pipes, and steam pipes.

4. Regularly checking the sensitivity of safety valves; after inspection, the results must be recorded in the engine logbook and reported to the chief engineer for confirmation.

5. Pumping and moving water or oil can only be carried out with the consent of the captain.

6. In case it is deemed that executing the orders of the direct commander on the bridge will cause damage to the machinery, the second engineer must report this to the watch supervisor or the captain; if the order remains unchanged, it must be executed and recorded in the engine logbook with confirmation from the person issuing the order.

7. During the watch, the second engineer has the authority to stop the operation of a part or a system of machinery if it is deemed unsafe; if continuing the operation would cause serious damage or an accident, the machine must be immediately stopped, and the watch supervisor and the captain must be notified immediately.

8. Performing other tasks assigned by the chief engineer.

Article 14. Engine Room Rating

The engine room rating is under the leadership of the chief engineer and the watch supervisor and has the following responsibilities:

1. During the watch, fully perform the assigned tasks; monitor technical parameters and the operating conditions of the machinery, reporting any abnormalities to the watch supervisor.

2. Regularly clean the machinery and engine room; participate in maintenance and repairs as required by the Chief Engineer.

3. Perform other tasks assigned by the Chief Engineer or the watch supervisor.

Article 15. Vessel Operator

The Vessel Operator has the responsibility to:

1. Manage personnel, vessels, assets, and related vessel documents.

2. Be familiar with channel conditions and safety conditions at ports and wharfs where the vessel operates.

3. Inspecting the vessel and safety equipment for personnel and the vessel; before departure, ensuring that people and cargo are arranged to ensure the stability and safety of the vessel.

4. When the vessel undergoes repairs, inspecting, supervising, and accepting the work.

5. In case of an accident involving the vessel, promptly rescuing people, the vessel, and cargo, and being the last person to leave the vessel if it sinks.

6. Upon receiving an emergency signal or when mobilized by an authorized agency to participate in search and rescue operations, comply with the dispatch order and organize participation in rescue operations if such actions do not pose a danger to people, cargo, or the vessel operated by oneself.

Article 16. Trainee Seafarer

The Trainee Crew Member is under the management of the Captain. A Trainee Crew Member in any position on the vessel must fulfill the scope of responsibility of that position and has the following responsibilities:

1. Strictly adhere to general regulations for crew members.

2. Participate in work and activities on the vessel according to the assignment and guidance of the Captain or Chief Engineer or persons authorized by them.

3. Only operate machinery and equipment on the vessel under direct supervision.

Chapter III

PROVISIONS ON THE MINIMUM SAFETY CREW COMPLEMENT

ON INLAND WATERWAY VESSELS

Article 17. Crew Complement

1. The tables prescribed in Article 19 of this Circular are the minimum safe crew complements for seafarers on vessels corresponding to the class of certificate, professional qualification certificate, and certificate of competency required to operate the vessel according to the Law on Inland Waterway Transport dated June 15, 2004, and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Inland Waterway Transport dated June 17, 2014, hereinafter referred to collectively as the crew complement table.

2. The vessel owner is responsible for assigning sufficient numbers of seafarer positions on the vessel equal to or greater than the number of seafarers specified in Article 19 of this Circular; in cases where the vessel operates more than one watch in a day, the vessel owner is responsible for organizing and arranging labor appropriately to ensure compliance with working hours as stipulated by the Labor Code.

Article 18. Classification of Vessels for Crew Complement

1. Group I

a) Passenger vessels, overnight tourist accommodation vessels, floating restaurants, floating hotels, hovercrafts, high-speed vessels carrying over 100 persons;

b) Ferries with a total deadweight of over 150 tons;

c) Cargo vessels with a total deadweight of over 500 tons;

d) Tugboat groups with a total deadweight of over 1000 tons;

đ) Vessels not falling under points a, b, c, and d of Clause 1 of this Article with a main engine power of over 400 horsepower;

2. Group II

a) Passenger vessels, overnight tourist accommodation vessels, floating restaurants, floating hotels, hovercrafts, high-speed vessels carrying over 50 to 100 persons;

b) Ferries with a total deadweight of over 50 to 150 tons;

c) Cargo vessels with a total deadweight of over 150 to 500 tons;

d) Tugboat groups with a total deadweight of over 400 to 1000 tons;

đ) Vessels not falling under points a, b, c, and d of Clause 2 of this Article with a main engine power of over 150 to 400 horsepower;

3. Group III

a) Passenger vessels, overnight tourist accommodation vessels, floating restaurants, floating hotels, hovercrafts, high-speed vessels carrying over 12 to 50 persons;

b) Ferries with a total deadweight up to 50 tons;

c) Cargo vessels with a total deadweight of over 15 to 150 tons;

d) Towboat fleets with a total deadweight up to 400 tons;

đ) Vessels not falling under points a, b, c, and d of Clause 3 of this Article with a main engine power of over 15 to 150 horsepower.

Article 19. Crew roster

1. Passenger Vessels

For vessels with external machinery having a total main engine power up to 150 horsepower or internal machinery with a total main engine power up to 50 horsepower, it is not necessarily required to have the position of chief engineer or assistant engineer, but the captain or chief officer must hold a first-class mechanic certificate. For vessels with external machinery having a total main engine power over 150 horsepower up to 400 horsepower, it is not necessarily required to have the position of chief engineer or assistant engineer, but the captain or chief officer must hold a chief engineer competency certificate corresponding to the total main engine power.

2. Cargo Vessels

For vessels with external machinery having a total main engine power up to 150 horsepower or internal machinery with a total main engine power up to 50 horsepower, it is not necessarily required to have the position of chief engineer or assistant engineer, but the captain or chief officer must hold a first-class mechanic certificate. For vessels with external machinery having a total main engine power over 150 horsepower up to 400 horsepower, it is not necessarily required to have the position of chief engineer or assistant engineer, but the captain or chief officer must hold a chief engineer competency certificate corresponding to the total main engine power.

3. Ferries

For vessels with external machinery having a total main engine power up to 150 horsepower or internal machinery with a total main engine power up to 50 horsepower, it is not necessarily required to have the position of chief engineer or assistant engineer, but the captain or chief officer must hold a first-class mechanic certificate. For vessels with external machinery having a total main engine power over 150 horsepower up to 400 horsepower, it is not necessarily required to have the position of chief engineer or assistant engineer, but the captain or chief officer must hold a chief engineer competency certificate corresponding to the total main engine power.

4. Tugs

5. Towage Vessels

a) The number of crew members on a towage vessel with one towed vessel shall be determined based on the gross tonnage of each type of vessel as follows:

b) For tug groups towing multiple vessels, the minimum number of crew members in one shift is determined by the total number of crew members required to be assigned on each towed vessel according to the provisions of point a of this clause.

c) For side-by-side or push-tow groups with two or more towed vessels, the minimum number of crew members in one shift is determined as follows: the first towed vessel shall be assigned the number of crew members as specified in point b of this clause, and for each additional towed vessel from the second onwards, one additional crew member must be assigned.

6. Overnight Tourist Accommodation Vessels

7. Floating Restaurants, Floating Hotels

8. Catamarans, high-rise vessels

For vessels in Group III, if equipped with external machinery, it is not necessarily required to have the position of mechanic.

9. Coastal vessels carrying VR-SB grade

For voyages with a total duration exceeding two shifts, at least three additional crew members must be assigned, including one chief officer, one assistant engineer, and one seaman or mechanic.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 20. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2016. Decisions No. 28/2004/QĐ-BGTVT dated December 7, 2004, issued by the Minister of Transport regarding the scope of responsibility of crew members, drivers of vehicles, and the minimum safe crew roster on inland waterway vessels, and Circular No. 09/2012/TT-BGTVT dated March 23, 2012, issued by the Minister of Transport amending and supplementing certain articles of the aforementioned decision, are hereby abolished.

Article 21. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration is responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular, in collaboration with relevant agencies.

2. The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Director of the Ministry's Inspectorate, the Heads of Departments, the Director of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, the Directors of Provincial Departments of Transport under central cities, the Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to this matter are responsible for implementing this Circular./.