INS-002 - Alternate Safety Inspection Program

INS-002 Rev. 07/20

(_b) Marine Notice INS-001 (_c) Marine Notice INS-003 Supersedes: Marine Notice INS-002, dated 06/12

The following changes have been included:

It updates program direction contact information.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Notice is to describe a voluntary alternative program meeting the National Safety Inspection requirements found in reference (a) and described in reference (b) to the owners and operators of vessels not covered by the international conventions and certain other vessels operating in remote, or hard to reach areas where a nautical inspector is not available.

APPLICABILITY:

This Program is applicable to all vessels not expressly covered by SOLAS 1974, as amended, as defined in the “National Cargo Ship Safety Certificate” program, reference (c) and to all vessels and platforms engaged in the offshore seabed natural resource exploration, development and production industries operating in remote hard to reach areas, or in areas experiencing internal unrest where a National Nautical Inspector is not available as confirmed by Fleet Performance Department. Questions related to this program should be sent to the Fleet Performance Department at prevention@liscr.com.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 Qualifying Vessels

1.1 The Alternate Inspection Program is a voluntary program applicable to: 1 of 4

Inquiries concerning the subject of this Notice should be directed to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Republic of

Liberia, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, 22980 Indian Creek Drive., Suite 200, Dulles, VA 20166,

USA. The most current version of all Marine Notices are available in the Online Library at: http://www.liscr.com

1.1.1 All vessels issued National Cargo Ship Certificates, and

1.1.2 Vessels engaged in the offshore seabed natural resource exploration, development and production industries operating in remote areas or areas experiencing internal civil unrest which are not accessible to a National Nautical Inspector.

1.2 Vessels registered as Fishing vessels, Research Vessels, Supply Boats, Tug Boats, Crew Boats, Yachts, Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, Mobile Offshore Units, Floating Storage units, and Floating, Production, and Off Loading Units, may be able to meet the National Safety Inspection requirements by following these procedures.

2.0 Procedures

2.1 For Vessel Owner or Operator: Owners and operators of qualifying vessels previously defined, which due to their remote location or operating area, have a difficult time meeting the National requirements for a Safety Inspection by a National Nautical Inspector, may meet our National Safety Inspection requirements by voluntarily reaching an agreement with one of the authorized Recognized Organizations (RO) (the vessel's Classification Society which has been recognized and authorized to act on behalf of the Liberian Administration) to have one of the Society’s surveyors perform the inspection on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner.

2.1.1 Owners and operators of vessels electing to follow the Alternate Inspection Program must agree to inform the Administration Audit and Inspection Division at: audit@liscr.com, of the name of the individual responsible for the program at their company, and the information needed by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner to contact the responsible person.

2.1.2 Before entering into an agreement with the RO, the vessel owners or operators must be certain that the selected RO has an agreement with the Flag Administration to conduct Safety Inspections on behalf of Liberia.

2.1.3 The contracting vessel owner or operator agrees to correct any deficiencies identified by the surveyor.

2.1.4 The contracting vessel owner or operator understands that the vessel may be subject to an additional inspection by the surveyor from the contracted RO, if so directed by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner.

2.1.5 The contracting vessel owner or operator is responsible for making payments in accordance with their agreement with the RO.

2.2 For the Recognized Organizations: The RO must have an agreement with the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs to conduct Initial and Annual Safety Inspection on behalf of the Administration before entering into an agreement with the contracting vessel owner or operator.

2.2.1 The RO must also agree:

.1 to provide Audit and Inspection Division at: audit@liscr.com, with the name and contact information for the individual at the RO responsible for managing

the Alternate Inspection Program,

.2 that their surveyors conducting the Initial or Annual Safety Inspection will be familiar with the Liberian Maritime Law, Regulations, Notices and Requirements described in a publication known as RLM-300, and the Guidelines for Nautical inspectors established by Marine Safety, at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs,

.3 that the surveyors conducting the inspection will report their findings by using the applicable inspection report forms provided by Audit and Inspection Division at: audit@liscr.com, and

.4 to send the completed Initial or Annual Safety Inspection report to Audit and Inspection Division at: audit@liscr.com, for review and comment.

2.3 All parties are reminded that this is a voluntary program, which may be followed by companies seeking an alternative means of complying with the requirement for an initial and annual Safety Inspection of the vessel, and it does not alter any other requirements.

3.0 Scope of the Safety Inspection

3.1 The content of the Safety Inspection is to be sufficient for the surveyor to verify that the vessel and its equipment are in satisfactory condition for the intended service.

3.2 This Safety Inspection should include:

3.2.1 an examination of the ship’s documents and statutory certificates to ensure that all of the required surveys have been conducted and properly recorded,

3.2.2 an inspection and test of the firefighting and lifesaving equipment on board the vessel,

3.2.3 an operational test of the radio equipment on board the vessel,

3.2.4 a fire and abandon ship drill to determine the ability of crew to meet these emergencies,

3.2.5 an examination of the vessel’s log books, oil record books, and publications to determine compliance with The Liberian Maritime Law, Regulations and Marine Notices,

3.2.6 an examination of the accommodations on board the vessel, including safety equipment, emergency signs, and the sanitary conditions in the galley, quarters and work areas to ensure compliance with the applicable ILO requirements,

3.2.7 an examination of the navigation equipment, charts, publications and voyage plans on board the vessel to determine compliance with the National and international rules regarding navigation as applicable to the vessel being inspected, and

3.2.8 an examination of the crew’s licenses and seaman’s booklets to determine compliance with the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate, Liberian Rules regarding certification of seagoing personnel, and the requirements defined in STCW 1978, as amended.

3.3 Verification of hull integrity, watertight closing arrangement and machinery status will be covered by the vessel’s maintenance in RO requirements.

4.0 Modifications and Alterations

4.1 No modification or alterations will be required in existing arrangements, unless the provision of equipment falls below generally accepted international standards or normal good shipbuilding practice. The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, after consultation with the relevant RO and the owner, will specify the number and type of units of equipment to be carried should this be the case.

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