QUESTION 3.4.1

Hours of rest, fatigue and record integrity

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGDocumentation

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether actual work and rest comply with applicable limits, records reflect reality, exceptions are lawful and fatigue is identified and controlled rather than hidden by retrospective adjustment.

Ready onboard

0/8 complete

SCHEDULESWatch and work arrangements are posted and consistent with actual duties.LIMITSPersonnel receive at least 10 hours rest in 24 hours and 77 hours in seven days, subject only to lawful exceptions.RECORDSDaily records include all work, drills, calls, mooring, cargo and interrupted rest and are verified by the seafarer.MONITORINGMaster and shore management review exceptions, trends and high-risk individuals.PLANNINGPort, cargo, drills, maintenance and arrivals are forecast to prevent predictable non-compliance.EXCEPTIONSAny exception follows flag and STCW conditions and receives compensatory rest.FATIGUE RESPONSEPersonnel can report fatigue without pressure and duties are adjusted when fitness is impaired.CROSS-CHECKRest records agree with logs, alarms, work permits and operational events.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1Show the actual rest effect of the last port call on the Master and Chief Officer.

Reconstruct work from bridge, cargo, mooring and log records rather than relying only on the rest sheet.

2Can a record be adjusted so the software stops showing a violation?

Only to correct factual entry error. Actual non-compliance must remain visible and trigger control; falsification is unacceptable.

3What are the normal minimum rest limits?

At least 10 hours in any 24 and 77 in any seven days, divided within the applicable STCW rules.

4How are interrupted rest and call-outs recorded?

Record actual times, recalculate continuous-rest requirements and provide compensatory rest when required.

5What happens when the voyage plan makes compliance impossible?

Escalate early, redistribute work, delay non-essential tasks, seek resources or change the operation; do not solve workload on paper.

Where an observation may arise

FALSE RECORD

Recorded rest conflicts with logs or known work.

LIMIT BREACH

Daily or weekly rest limits are exceeded without a lawful exception.

ROUTINE EXCEPTION

Exceptions are used as normal manning practice.

NO COMPENSATION

Interrupted or reduced rest is not followed by required recovery.

NO SHORE REVIEW

Repeated violations receive no management intervention.

FITNESS

A fatigued person remains assigned to safety-critical duty.

PLANNING FAILURE

Predictable port or cargo workload was not managed in advance.

Master's practical note

Audit the busiest 72 hours, not a quiet week. Put pilotage, mooring, cargo, drills and call-outs against the signed records and preserve any real violation instead of cleaning it away.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: Flag and collective-agreement provisions may add requirements. Emergency deviations must be recorded and followed by adequate rest; commercial pressure does not create an exception.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 3.4.1
STCW Code section A-VIII/1
MLC 2006 Standard A2.3
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1598, Guidelines on Fatigue

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10