Panama Maritime Authority released a guide for shipowners and operators on how to respond in cases of homicide on Panama-flagged ships.
In fact the Merchant Marine Notice 07/2021, includes guidance of theft, sexual assault, natutal death, suicide and homicide.
In the third part of the marine notice, the Authority focuses on the cases of homicide onboard Panama-flagged vessels.
HOMICIDE:
STEP 1: The Captain and / or the Ship Security Officer will report the incident and send all the documentation through the ship’s company format, to the email [email protected], corresponding to the of Maritime Affairs Investigation Department of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority.
STEP 2: Once the ship arrives at the Port of Destination, the Captain and / or Ship Security Officer will inform of the punishable act and will place the alleged perpetrator at the orders of the competent authorities of the country of destination.
STEP 3: The Captain and / or the Ship Security Officer will inform the General Consulate of Panama in the country of destination of the punishable act, which in return, will coordinate with the competent authorities of the country of destination, on the procedure to follow related to the punitive act that happened onboard a Panama flag ship.
STEP 4: Once the General Consulate of Panama has coordinated with the competent authorities of the country of destination, it will send an email to [email protected], corresponding to the Maritime Affairs Investigation
Department of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority, all the documentation gained in such coordination.
STEP 5: The Maritime Affairs Investigation Department of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority, will verify and examine all the documentation sent by the captain and / or Ship Security Officer, General Consulate of Panama in the country of destination and if it is satisfactory, it will be forward to the of Resolutions and Inquiries Department through a detailed report.
STEP 6: The Resolutions and Inquiries Department of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine will examine the documentation received by the Maritime Affairs Investigation Department and if it is satisfactory, it will forward it to the Office of Legal Advice of the Panama Maritime Authority, in order to put at knowledge of the punitive act, to the Superior Prosecutor Office for International Affairs of the Public Ministry.
