TEC-004 - Multiple Load Line Assignment Procedures

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS, AND AUTHORIZED CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES

SUBJECT: Multiple Load Line Assignment Procedures

Reference:

1. Maritime Regulation 2.39
2. International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 as modified

Supersedes: Marine Notice TEC-004, dated 07/20

The following changes have been included:

a. Section 3.0 revised to indicate that prior authorization from the Adminstration is no longer needed as Class Scoieties have been provided with blanket authorization.

PURPOSE:

This Notice summarizes the requirements, authorization, and issuance procedures for a Load Line Alteration Book (LLAB)

APPLICABILITY:

This Notice is directed to owners of certain type vessels operating with more than one freeboard assignment to meet charter commitments.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 Policy

It is Administration Policy that any vessel in the registry to which authorization has been given for the assignment of more than one (1) load line shall be issued an LLAB. The LLAB shall apply only to those full term load line certificates issued to a subject vessel and not to single voyage load line certificates. The LLAB is valid as long as the International Load Line Certificates to which it pertains remain valid.

2.0 Allowance

More than one freeboard assignment may be permitted, however only one may be displayed at any one time. The LLAB issued by this Administration contains data pertaining to the current freeboard assignments together with endorsement pages and instructions to be 1 of 3

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

followed when changing from one load line assignment to another. The procedures to facilitate the multiple load line requirements of the Administration follow.

3.0 Original Issue

3.1 To obtain more than one load line the owner/operator may request this directly from the vessel’s Classification Society; there is no need to seek prior authorization from the Liberian Administration.

3.2 The classification society will then issue the appropriate International Load Line Certificate for each assignment. A copy of each full term certificate should be forwarded by the vessel’s classification society or the owner to Regsandstandards@liscr.com.

3.3 On the basis of the information received, the Administration will issue an LLAB with instructions to the owner and Master.

3.4 The LLAB will be prepared and distributed electronically to the owner/operator for their files and for forwarding to the vessel.

3.5 The electronic copy received on board the vessel should be printed for continued use and all directions in the accompanying letter are to be followed.

4.0 Renewals

Once issued, it shall be the responsibility of the shipowner to maintain the currency and completeness of the LLAB and to make requests to the Administration for renewal upon its expiration. The owner shall also request revision and amendment of the LLAB if freeboards are added to or deleted from the vessel. In such cases the vessel’s classification or the shipowner the vessel, after completion of the applicable surveys, must forward electronic copies of the load line certificates to Regsandstandards@liscr.com indicating that the certificates are being forwarded for reissuance or revision of the LLAB as applicable.

5.0 Conditions

5.1 All vessels issued multiple Load Line Certificates must maintain an LLAB on board the vessel for the use of the vessel’s Master and the vessel’s classification society surveyor in verifying any changes to the load line marks. The conditions pertaining to the LLAB are as follows:

.1 The Master must ensure that only the freeboard marks for the intended voyage are exhibited on the vessel’s hull and all others are to be painted over before the loading of cargo begins.

.2 Only the Load Line Certificate in use should be displayed. All Load Line Certificates not in use shall be placed in a sealed envelope and locked in the Master’s safe.

.3 The Master may alter a freeboard marks for the vessel in accordance with the applicable Load Line Certificate and the procedures set forth in the LLAB. The

TEC-004 2 of 3 02/22

The Republic of Liberia

Master shall enter the change in the vessel’s official logbook. There is no need to have a class society surveyor present at the alteration of the freeboard marks.