What is a crew change and how is it done?

Although there are many, and varied, actions carried out by port agencies in Ceuta, one of the most complicated is what we refer to as crew change. It is performed against the clock (either in the port or at sea) and is crucial for the ship to continue its sea route with normality and on time.

What does this action entail, what role does our port agency play and how do we solve any problems related to changing the crew? This is what we’ll be explaining today and in great detail… take note!

 Crewmembers and changes in port

When a cargo ship approaches a coastal city like Ceuta to make a port stop and contacts a port agency like Salama, requests may vary from replacing a hull piece to buying provisions for the journey, or a change in the crew list.

A crew change consist of replacing one of the ship’s crew members with another one. This action must be previously authorized by the ship’s Captain and it is outsourced to port agencies like Salama. How do we coordinate this change operation? Our modus operandi is as follows:

-        We receive the Captain’s request and process it.

-        In less than 48 hours, we manage all the necessary documentation (such as visas for the disembarking crew).

-        We coordinate the embarkation and disembarkation of each corresponding crew member.

-        We manage their ferry trips between Ceuta and the mainland, as well as the transfer and collection of the crewmember from Malaga airport.

-        If necessary due to scheduling, we book accommodation in Malaga for the crew member returning to their place of origin.

-        And finally, we draft and issue letters of invitation to the embassies of crew members not belonging to the Schengen area. This letter makes sure the transit visa is issued and arrives before the ship completes its stopover.

">Off port limit changes

What happens when the ship does not reach port and makes an off port limit stop? Can there be a crew change if the ship is not docked in port?

When dealing with a stopover, the ship may choose to dock in the port or to remain outside its limits, this is what we know as an "off port limits stop". In these cases, when the ship is anchored in the stop’s territorial waters, the Captain may also request a crew change.

Since speed is key for these kinds of operations, Salama offers a special launch service for ships not docked at port; so as to ensure each and every one of the services required by the crew.

 (Photo credit: Pepe Gutiérrez)