TEC-007 - Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS, AND AUTHORIZED CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES

SUBJECT: Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

Supersedes: Marine Notice TEC-007, dated 01/00

PURPOSE:

This Marine Notice provides further clarification on the implementation of the Liberian National MODU Standards (RLM 293). Publication RLM-293 contains the Administration’s technical guidelines and Authorized Standards for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) and Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs). Owners, Operators and authorized Recognized Organizations (RO) (the vessel's Classification Society which has been recognized and authorized to act on behalf of the Liberian Administration) are to be guided by this Marine Notice and RLM 293 in preparation for compliance with the Guidelines set forth in 1979 MODU Code, 1989 MODU Code, 2009 MODU Code, and also for the certification of existing MODUs built prior to implementation of the 1979 MODU Code.

APPLICABILITY:

These standards are applicable to all MODU's and are divided into two categories as follows:

Category I - MODU's issued IMO MODU Code Safety Certificates

Category II - MODU's issued National MODU Safety Certificates

Standards and guidelines regarding the compliance with Liberian national standards for Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs) other than MODUs can be found in Marine Notice TEC-009

REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 General

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, LLC, 8619 Westwood Center Dr., Suite 300, Vienna, VA

22182 USA 06/12

1.1 The Codes for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (the MODU Codes) cover construction, subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations for main propulsion and auxiliary machinery, fire safety, life saving appliances, radio communication installations, lifting devices, helicopter facilities and operational procedures and pollution prevention as per MARPOL.

1.2 The application of the MODU Codes has been extended to all new units and to all existing units, as far as may be considered reasonable and practicable as noted in the Liberian National MODU Standards Publication, RLM-293.

1.3 Owners or Managing Agents should make arrangements with the certifying Classification Society for confirmation that their units comply with the appropriate MODU Codes and are eligible to be issued MODU Code Safety Certificates prior to Registration. The International Maritime Organization has decreed that units not in full compliance with the Codes cannot be issued IMO MODU Code Certification. Accordingly, those units not covered by or not in full compliance with the IMO MODU Codes, but which have operated successfully and safely during their service, will be eligible for issuance of a Liberian National MODU Safety Certificate.

1.4 The MODU Codes are published by the International Maritime Organization and may be obtained as indicated in Marine Notice ADM-002.

2.0 Definitions

2.1 Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) are manned vessels capable of engaging in drilling operations for exploration or for exploitation of resources such as liquids or gaseous hydrocarbons, sulfur or salt beneath the sea bed and may include the following vessel types:

2.2 A Surface Drilling Unit (SDU) is a unit with a ship or barge-type displacement hull, of single or multi hull construction, intended for operations in the floating condition.

2.3 A Self Elevating Drilling Unit (SEDU) is a unit with moveable legs on the sea bed capable of raising the hull above the surface of the sea.

2.4 A Column Stabilized Drilling Unit (CSDU) is a floating unit with the main deck connected to the underwater hull by columns or caissons.

3.0 Compliance Requirements for New and Existing Units

3.1 All new and existing drilling units must have the applicable MODU Code Certificates or National Certificates for registration in Liberia.

3.2 All drilling units built after 1 May 1991 should comply with the 1989 MODU Code.

3.3 All drilling units built after 1 October 1980 and before 1 May 1991 should comply with the 1979 MODU Code.

3.4 All drilling units must comply with the applicable requirements of MARPOL 73/78, as amended and the applicable requirements on the International Convention on Load Lines 66, as amended.

3.5 All self-propelled drilling units that must comply with the applicable requirements of the ISM Code and ISPS Code.

3.6 Existing Drilling Units, not in full compliance with the 1979 MODU Code will be eligible for issuance of the National MODU Certificate. Acceptance for issuance of the National Certificate will be based upon compliance with the Liberian National MODU Standards published in RLM-293 and a satisfactory examination by the Classification surveyors.

4.0 Surveys Requirements

4.1 An Initial Survey is required before entering service or before a MODU Code Certificate or National MODU Safety Certificate is issued for the first time.

4.2 An Annual Survey, in conjunction with the Annual Classification Survey, must be performed between three (3) months before and three (3) months after the anniversary date by the class surveyor. On satisfactory completion of the Annual Surveys, the Certificate is to be endorsed to maintain the validity.

4.3 An Annual Safety Radio survey must be performed between three (3) months before and three (3) months after the anniversary date of the MODU Safety Certificate

4.4 An intermediate survey within three months before or after the second anniversary date or within three months before or after the third anniversary date of the certificate, which should take the place of one of the annual surveys specified in 1.6 1.4;

4.5 A Renewal Survey, at the time of the Safety Certificate renewal is required at intervals not exceeding five (5) years. This certificate renewal survey is normally done in conjunction with the Special Survey required by the Classification Society. The content of the surveys is as specified in the MODU Codes and/or the Liberian National MODU Standards (RLM293).

4.6 A minimum of two drydock surveys during any five-year period, except in case where the Administration has agreed to an extension of the unit’s Safety Certificate. Where such an extension is granted this five-year period may be extended to coincide with the extended period of the validity of the certificate. In all cases the intervals between any two such surveys should not exceed 36 months. When approved by the Administration an underwater body examination in lieu of drydock may be carried out to satisfy this requirement.

4.7 All self-propelled MODUs must comply with the audit requirements of the ISM Code and ISPS Code as applicable.

4.8 All MODUs must comply with the applicable survey provisions of MARPOL 73/78, as amended and the International Convention on Load Lines, as amended

5.0 National Safety Inspections

5.1 MODUs are subject to Annual Liberian Safety Inspections (ASIs) to be performed between 30 days before and 30 days after the vessel registration anniversary date. The inspections are to be carried out by an authorized Liberian Nautical Inspector, unless other arrangements are authorized by the Administration.

5.2 As an alternative, these Annual Safety Inspections may be performed by the Classification Society Surveyor in conjunction with the Annual Survey in accordance with the Alternate Safety Inspection Program outlined in Marine Notice INS-002 .

6.0 Certification

6.1 The MODU Safety Certificate or the National MODU Safety Certificates will replace all of the SOLAS Safety Certificates that may have been previously issued, except for Safety Radio and ISM Code. However, a unit which embarks upon an international voyage under its own power may be required for the benefit of Port State Authorities concerned to be provided with SOLAS Certificates such as Safety Construction and Safety Equipment. In circumstances such as this, please contact this Administration and, or the Classification Society.

6.2 The MODU Safety Certificate will be valid for five (5) years, running concurrently with the five (5) year classification survey period.

6.3 All MODUs shall be issued an IOPP, IAPP. ISPS Certificate in accordance with the applicable provisions of MARPOL 73/78, as amended

6.4 In accordance with the applicable provisions of the ICLL 66, MODUs shall be issued an International Load Line Certificate.

6.5 1979 MODU Code Safety Certificates signify compliance with the Code, however reasonable exemptions (Reg. 1.4) and equivalents (Reg. 1.5) will be allowed providing that all exemptions or equivalents are noted on the MODU Code Safety Certificate or an attached sheet.

6.6 All National MODU Safety Certificates for existing units which are found suitable to conduct international operations, shall be issued with MODU Code items of non-compliance clearly noted on them or on an attachment to the certificates.

* * * * *