Why do i need a Seaman Card ?

Have you ask this question to yourself or to others ?

One day a man who is driving his brand new Volvo car has been ask by the police to stop the car, the police stood by the window asking him to show his Identification Card and driving license.

The man replied, 'sorry sir i forgot my license and identification card at home'.

The police say 'are you Malaysian ?', 'of course i am' replied the man. 'You do not look like one! and this is definitely not your car! follow me to Police Station!'............. ???!!!&&&*()_@

Seafarers... are travelling around the world, and they will meet many Authority... for example, Health Officer, Safety Officer, Port State Control Officer, Port Authority Officer, Police Officer, Immigration Officer, etc....... Imagine if you do not bring with you a proper documents and Certificate of Competency, what will happen?????

Under the 'Central Mercantile Marine Fund' (CMMF) Rules 1984;

Rule 2:-

"Committee" means the Committee appointed by the Minister under subsection (8) of section 467 of the Ordinance.

(committee here is the CMMF committee)

"seaman" means any person employed or engaged on article or agreement on any ship plying

beyond the limits of any port, and includes any person who is regularly available for work as

seaman and who depends on his work as such for his main annual income;

(now generally known as seafarer)

Rule 11-

The Committee shall established and maintain a register of Malaysian seamen for the purposes set out in subparagraph (f) of paragraph (1) of rule 3.

(A registered seafarer must have evidence of registration, that is the seaman card)

Rule 12-

The Committee may produce and issue seamen’s service books, documents and other reading

materials in connection with the promotion of the moral, intellectual and social welfare of the seamen,whether for free or for a fee to be determined by the Committee.

(fee of seaman/seafarer card)

Benefits:

Rule 3-

(1) The Fund shall be employed for any or all of the following purposes:

a. the establishment, maintenance, alteration, repair, improvement, reconstruction, extension

and staffing of homes and institutions for seamen and wherever expedient, the acquisition,

purchase, leasing and charging of immovable property for any of such purposes and for the

purpose by holding assets;

b. the defraying whether by loan or without security or by gift , of the cost of constructing and

maintaining any sports ground, swimming pool or amenity of any kind for use in connection with

the promotion of the moral., intellectual, physical or social welfare of seamen;

c. the provision of such accommodation and recreational facilities for seamen as may be

considered expedient;

d. the provision of medical or surgical treatment to seamen as may, from time to time, be considered expedient;

e. the education and training of seamen of persons intending to become seaman;

f. the development and promotion of employment of seamen;

g. the granting of financial assistance to seamen or their dependants;

h. the promotion generally of the welfare of seamen, retired seamen and their dependants; and

i. the payment of legal and secretarial expenses incurred in administering the Fund.

Requirements:

Rule 4.

1. Subject to these Rules, the persons qualified to receive financial assistance from the

Committee shall be seamen or persons who had been seamen and, in the event of their deaths,

their dependants who satisfy the Committee that they are deserving of such assistance.

2. Where a seamen at the time of his death did not possess the requisite qualification as

stimulated in paragraph (3), no financial assistance shall be payable to his dependants.

3. A seamen may be granted financial assistance by the Committee if

a. he is over the age of fifty-five years and had served at sea for a total period of fifteen

years ; or

b. by reason of illness or physical injury contracted or sustained in the course of

employment or within twelve months of last signing off, he is unfit for further

employment as a seaman or in any other capacity.

4. The Committee shall not grant financial assistance to a seaman or his dependants who

a. is in receipt of any assistance from the Department of Social Welfare or from any other

institution, organization, body or person; or

b. refuses suitable employment.

Rule 5 -

Except in cases or urgent necessity, financial assistance shall not be granted to any foreign seamen entitled to financial assistance from his employer or Consul.

Rule 6 -

(1) Subject to these Rules , any seaman or in the event of his death , any dependant of such

seaman, desiring financial assistance from the Committee may apply to the Committee.

(2) An application for financial assistance by a seaman qualified under paragraph (3) of rule 4

shall be made in writing to the Committee.

(3) The Committee on receipt of such application shall cause investigation to be made and may

after such investigation authorise and make payment of financial assistance to the applicant.

Rule 7 -

(1) Subject to these Rules, the Committee may grant two types of financial assistance, namely

a. regular financial assistance; and

b. temporary financial assistance.

(2) Regular financial assistance is financial assistance in the form of regular periodical payments.

(3) Temporary financial assistance is financial assistance in the form of a single or several

payments for a specific period.

(4) Regular financial assistance shall not, except where the applicant is in the opinion of the

Committee especially deserving of assistance , be given to any person other than a Malaysian

citizen.

So, if you are Malaysian Registered Seafarer holding a valid Seafarer Card and now you need help, you may turn to CMMF or Marine Department Malaysia for Help..... make sure to fill any form and provide any documents that the department need.

the CMMF secretariat is located at;

1st floor Wisma Pelaut Pelabuhan Kelang.

General Line : 03-31680771 (o)

Read also :

- Financial assistant to seafarer