REP-002 - Reporting Certificate Fraud And Professional And Technical Incompetence

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS, AND AUTHORIZED CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES

SUBJECT: Reporting Certificate Fraud and Professional and Technical Incompetence

Reference: Maritime Regulation 1. 17

Supersedes: Marine Notice REP-002, dated 05/12

The following changes have been included: LISCR address update

PURPOSE:

This Notice is a reminder of the obligations of mariners for reporting certificate of competence and special qualification certificate fraud and any indication of lack of professional qualifications or technical skills.

APPLICABILITY:

Basic principles for safety of life and property at sea require that all merchant vessels be appropriately manned by shipowners with properly certified officers and crew. Seafaring personnel must have credible qualifications for all Liberian certificates of competency and for special qualifications certificates and ratings must possess the necessary technical skills for their respective duties on board the vessels upon which they serve.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 There have been reports of experiences involving seafarers who were improperly certificated and sailing on board merchant vessels. Such incidents have in the past resulted in court denial of limitation of liability to owners, as well as, undue criticism of the certifying administration, owners and operators when a vessel was determined to be un-seaworthy due to incompetent manning.

The provisions of IMO Conventions, such as the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended, impose requirements on the issuance of a certificate of competency to an officer and special qualification certification to all seafarers. Liberian Maritime Law and Regulations require these standards for proper navigation of the vessel, and the safety of passengers, crew, cargo, 1 of 2

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

ship and the environment.

2.0 Reporting

2.1 Accordingly Shipowners, Operators, Crewing Agents and Masters are encouraged to immediately report any officer and/or rating who do not display sufficient technical skills, professional qualifications or any evidence or even suspicion that a certificate of competency or special qualification was obtained by fraudulent means, by letter, fax, email, or telephone to:

Marine Investigations Department

The Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry

22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200

Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA Telephone: (703) 790-3434

Fax: (703) 790-5655

Email: investigations@liscr.com

2.2 The report should include, but not be limited to, as much of the following information as possible:

.1 Name and nationality of the seafarer involved.

.2 Address of the seafarer involved.

.3 Liberian certificate of competency, special qualification or Seafarers Identification and Record Book Number.

.4 Nature of the certificate fraud, e.g. counterfeit, bribery in obtaining foreign certificate submitted for an equivalent Liberian certificate; forgery; falsification of sea service, etc.

.5 Description of certificate, special qualifications, and Seafarers Identification and Record Book involved, including grade and the country of issue.

.6 Capacity in which the seafarer is/or was employed on the vessel. If applicable, the name of the vessel, and country of registry.

.7 Fraudulent document or copy of the fraudulent document.

.8 Identify, if possible, any other person(s) or organization that may have been involved in the fraudulent procurement of the certificate of competency or special qualification.

.9 Any other information or remarks that may be useful for proper and prompt investigation of this matter.

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REP-002 2 of 2 07/20

The Republic of Liberia