A series of Central Register Seamen forms which includes examples of the following:

CRS 2: Transfer from ship to leave and Reserve Pool

EXN-2B: Application for examination for a Certificate of Efficiency as Lifeboatman
Application for examination – Every candidate for the examination shall apply in the form set out in Appendix ‘A’ to the officer in charge, Mercantile Marine Department, at the port at which he desires to be examined. Every such application shall be accompanied by the Continuous Discharge Certificate of the candidate or other document evidencing his sea service.

CRS 3: The envelopes of seaman remaining in the employ of the same management (these records are badly damaged and unfit for production).

CRS 4: Entry form to Merchant Navy Reserve Pool when not direct from sea-going employment.

CRS 6: Absentee report.

CRS 39: British seaman authorised to serve in a non-British ship.

CRS 52: (Tally card; to be attached to NR 110). Slip for attachment to alien seamen’s documents.

CRS 53: British seaman’s identity card.

CRS 55: Report of loss of a British Seamen’s identity card.

CRS 65: Action sheet for surrendered or impounded identity cards.

CRS 71: Amendment of BISC.

CRS 119: 1939/45 Star Chevrons for war service.

Administrative / biographical background
In 1941 the 'Essential Work Order' created a Merchant Navy Reserve Pool. Every seaman on discharge from a sea-going British ship of 200 gross tons and upwards (except tugs, salvage vessels and certain harbour duties) became a member of the Merchant Navy Reserve Pool (unless he was immediately re-engaged by the same employer to become an officer or rating of the Merchant Navy). To ensure that seamen remained avaliable, they were paid to remain in the Reserve Pool (and therefore available for service) while they were ashore.