'SUPERNUMERARIES' A RISK TO CONSIDER OUTSIDE P&I COVER?

What is Supernumeraries? Is it a standard P&I covered risk?

Supernumeraries are simply individuals who join a vessel but have no onboard responsibilities, i.e crew members wives, children, individuals performing repair works on a vessel and of course ARMED or ESCORTING GURDS!

A quick search among various P&I clubs will show you that it is not  a standard P&I covered risk to the contrary of what you believed until today.
 Some P&I club to cover supernumeraries require prior declaration and some require additional premium. Others consider Supernumeraries not a P&I risk and there must be legally proven Shipowners Liability before a P&I assumes responsibility.

Supernumeraries are not passengers either as they are not on board holding a ticket but are not travelling under a cew contract either.

The same p&I approach stands for maintenance or repairs workmen personnel, armed or unarmed guards who are not enlisted but are onboard as supernumeraries!
 Statutory Liabilities and Responsibilities for Supernumeraries:
If a Supernumerary becomes sick or injured whilst on board the vessel, then it is the Shipowners duty to ensure that he provides the right care, treatment, and possible repatriation for the individual’s treatment. If a Supernumerary becomes sick or injured and there is no negligence liability (under the law)  on the part of the ship owner, then costs would not be covered by a P&I Club (in which case if there is not a private isnurance policy covering supernumeraries the expenses would on shipowners a/c).

In such a case these costs should be covered by the P&I Member themselves (SELF INSURANCE)  or through separate insurance policy.

The liabilities in respect of Supernumeraries are similar to those relating to a Seaman. Therefore, whilst on board the vessel, Supernumeraries are treated as though they are crew members and the Member’s liabilities in respect of the Supernumeraries,
are as though they are members of the crew and the P&I  should be notified and coverage approval should be received.

The American Club noted that in respect of individuals actually performing repair works on a vessel, they would suggest a notification be provided in advance of their attendance.
Listing the guards as Supernumeraries on board the vessel is required by the Shipowners P&I Club in order to avoid disputes in certain ports as to the status of non-crew members on board the vessel. If the guards are not listed as Supernumeraries, then they could
be considered as passengers, which may create difficulties in terms of their employment on board the vessel and carriage of their security equipment.

Since there are different strokes for different folks any prudent shipowner and shipmanager should first check what his P&I provisions are for supernumeraries and act accordingly to avoid surprises which will engage him in unforseeable expenditures.

Marasco Marine the last 20 years provides open cover insurance policies for supernumeraries on declaration basis at low annual premium.

Anastasios Maraslis
President/Managing Director.
MARASCO MARINE LTD
S.T.I.C BUILDING
3A, Voudouri str.,
Marina Zea, 185 37
Piraeus, Greece
+30 210 4180000 tel. (ext.101)
+30 210 4529505 fax.info@marasco-marine.com
www.marasco-marine.com