ISM-003 - Harmonized International Safety Management (ISM), International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 Audits

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS AND LIBERIAN AUDITORS

SUBJECT: Harmonized International Safety Management (ISM), International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 Audits

References: (a) Marine Notice ISM-001

(b) Marine Notice ISP-001 (c) Marine Notice MLC-001 Supersedes: Marine Notice ISM-003, dated 06/12

The following changes have been included:

a) Included verification and certification under MLC,2006

PURPOSE:

This Notice provides guidance related to the Administration's program for harmonized certification audits for compliance with the ISM and ISPS Codes, and MLC, 2006 (ISM/ISPS/MLC). The guidance describes how companies operating Liberian registered ships seeking harmonized ISM/ISPS/MLC verification and certification can receive a Safety Management Certificate (SMC), International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) and Maritime Labour (ML) Certificate through a single harmonized audit.

This Notice should be read in connection with Marine Notices ISM-001, ISP-001 and MLC-001.

Questions regarding the harmonized ISM/ISPS/MLC audit program should be referred to the

Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Republic of Liberia, Audit Department, Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, 22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200, Dulles, Virginia 20166, USA; Tel +1 703 790 3434, Fax: +1 703 790 5655, e-mail: BFA@liscr.com.

APPLICABILITY:

All Liberian registered vessels that are required to comply with the ISM and ISPS Codes and MLC, 2006 may participate in the Administration’s harmonized ISM/ISPS/MLC audit program.

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

DESCRIPTION:

The harmonized ISM/ISPS/MLC audit program was developed to help reduce the administrative, physical and practical burdens on both ship crews and shore staff, resulting from shorter port visits, the growing number of port State and third party inspections and increasing reporting and record keeping requirements.

The harmonized ISM/ISPS/MLC audit program reduces the number of auditor/inspector visits onboard which saves valuable time and personnel resources while still ensuring regulatory compliance. The required annual safety inspection (ASI) has also been incorporated in the harmonized audit program. By combining the redundant and overlapping aspects of the ISM and ISPS Codes and MLC,2006, as well as the ASI, all three verifications can be conducted by a specially trained Liberian auditor during a single more convenient, efficient and cost-effective ship visit.

Upon completion of a successful harmonized audit a new SMC, ISSC and ML Certificate will be issued. These certificates will be valid for five years from the audit completion date with an intermediate audit due between the second and third anniversary of the audit. The ship will also be credited as having completed an annual safety inspection. The ship will be due for another annual safety inspection one year from the date of any audit.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 How to achieve a harmonized ISM/ISPS/MLC Audit:

1.1 The application process:

1.1.1 When the SMC, ISSC or ML Certificate are nearing the due date for any audit contact the Administration’s Audit Section at BFA@liscr.com.

1.1.2 The Administration will provide an application form to be completed and retuned with information regarding the company and the vessel or vessels that will participate in the harmonized audits.

1.1.3 The Administration will use the application to prepare a proposal, which will be sent to the company.

1.1.4 Once accepted the Administration will send the company an agreement to sign.

1.2 The harmonized audit process:

1.2.1 The company will complete an application, form Audit-201, for Harmonized ISM, ISPS and MLC Audit and email it to: audit@liscr.com. Form is available on the Administration’s website: www.liscr.com.

1.2.2 The Administration will provide the company with confirmation on the availability and appointment of a Liberian auditor using form Audit-202.

1.2.3 The Administration will coordinate with the vessel agent and Company Security Officer and/or Designated Person Ashore to make arrangements prior to the Liberian auditor boarding the ship to conduct the audit.

1.2.4 Upon successful completion of the harmonized audit, the SMC, ISSC and ML Certificate will be issued with the same issue and expiration dates.

1.2.5 A summary of the audit report will be left onboard with the Master and/or the company’s representative.

1.2.6 Annual safety inspection will be credited during the harmonized audit.

2.0 Halted Audits - Special Circumstances

2.1 When a shipboard audit must be stopped due to a change of the ship’s operations schedule, we will initiate one of the following procedures:

2.1.1 Audit to continue with the same Auditor:

2.1.1.1 The audit shall be continued at another port where the auditor can reach the ship,

2.1.1.2 Should the ship visit the same port within one month, provided the same officers remain onboard, or

2.1.1.3 The auditor will continue the audit at sea sailing with the ship to the next port.

2.1.2 Audit to continue with another auditor:

2.1.2.1 The audit may be continued in another port with a new auditor provided:

2.1.2.1.1 The company completes a new application,

2.1.2.1.2 The full audit is completed within one month,

2.1.2.1.3 The same officers remain onboard, and

2.1.2.1.4 The audit report and records made by the first auditor are received by the second auditor.

3.0 Additional Audit

3.1 Additional audits shall be conducted in the following cases:

3.1.1 To verify effective corrective actions were taken regarding any Major Non- conformity.

3.1.2 When substantial modifications have been made to the Shipboard SMS, SSP or DMLC Part II.

3.1.3 When the Administration considers it necessary to request an additional audit in view of the nature of any Non-conformity regarding the SMS of the Company or Ship(s), the SSP or DMLC Part II.

3.1.4 When the Administration considers it is necessary for following reasons:

3.1.4.1 PSC or flag State detention,

3.1.4.2 When major deficiencies are raised during any external inspection by any source, or

3.1.4.3 There is an indication of a history of noncompliance on the part of the ship or the company.

3.1.5 When the Company requests reinstatement of an invalidated SMC, ISSC or ML Certificate.

4.0 The Administration will continue to accept and recognize DOCs, SMCs and ISSCs issued by the Recognized Organizations and Recognized Security Organizations. A list of the Administration’s authorized RO’s is available on Administration’s website https://www.liscr.com/recognized-organizations.

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