Port Manning (IPM) on cruise ship, is a word that haunts most of the crew, and is obligation of all working onboard to meet Maritime law with implementing IPM. International Maritime Organization states that any cruise ship is required to have minimum crew members onboard while in the port in order to maintain safety in an emergency situation. The crew that is in port manning (IPM) cant exit the ship in particular port.
The Port Manning, was created to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members when the ship is docked. Every time the ship docks at port, at least two crew members of each department need to remain on board so that in an emergency they can assist, especially in the evacuation of passengers. There are several teams on board who are prepared to act in a certain way depending on the situation, as the Fire Team and medical teams.
Some people working in some cruise ship departments do not have Port Manning, as always (or almost) working in the port, which is the case of Tour Escorts, hostesses etc.
Offshore, all crew members already have their liability in case of emergency, and this may change when it comes to a situation in port, and it is good to be careful because it can generate a warning if you do not know, and go wrong in a real emergency.
Although you can’t get off the ship on the day that you are In Port Manning, there is a possibility to change the Port Manning with other crew member. Ships Officers allows the exchange of IPM since in his department has any crew member with a different letter of his and who is not willing to leave that port, because he will have to stay in place, with its duty. Change IPM is not always easy, because everyone always wants to get off the ship, and the application must be made at least two days before, and it all depends on the Staff Captain.
The Port Manning is sometimes very painful, because depending on the turnover of the cruise, the crew can always be of IPM in the same city, which was my case in Barcelona. It may also happen that the Port Manning is on overnight, and it can be rather sad. If your Port Manning is the first day, you can leave the ship after midnight and to enjoy the city, and because of that the gangway. Now, if your IPM is the second day of overnight, I'm sorry, but you'll probably spend the night on board. Of course there is the possibility of change, but you hardly find someone willing to do that, every crew member always want to go out at night. Asians want to spend the night in the port for free Wi-Fi.
If you are stuck on the ship with IPM then the best thing to do is use the time on board to wash your clothes, sleeping as much as possible, go to the crew deck or in the crew gym.
