Marine Operations Note: 03/2003 - Procedures for gaining approval of Sewage Treatment Plants and/or Retention Tanks on board Liberian Flag vessels.

26 September 2003

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE: 3/2003

Re: Procedures for gaining approval of Sewage Treatment Plants and/or Retention Tanks on board Liberian Flag vessels.

Reference: (a) MARPOL 73/78, revised Annex IV

(b) MEPC.2(VI)

Dear Owner/Operator:

On 27 September 2003 Annex IV (revised) of the “The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships: 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978” (referred to as Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78), will enter into force internationally. Liberia is not a party to Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78, however, Liberian flag vessels visiting nations that are a party will need to demonstrate compliance with the requirements to prevent sewage pollution.

Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78 as revised:

Defines a new Ship as a ship for which the building contract is placed, or in the absence of a building contract the keel of which is laid, or which is at a similar stage of construction, on or after the date of entry into for (27 September 2003); or the delivery of which is three years or more after the date of entry into force of this annex.

Defines existing ships as any ship which is not a new ship.

Applies to all ships that are:

1. 400 gross tons or more, and
2. Less than 400 gross tons but certified to carry more than 15 persons.

New Ships shall comply from 27 September 2003.

Existing ships have until 27 September 2008 to comply.

To assist qualified Liberian flag vessels demonstrate their compliance with Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78, the Administration authorized the Recognized Organizations to issue a NonSignatory Statement of Compliance.

1. A vessel owner or operator seeking approval of the Sewage Treatment Device or the Sewage retention tank can request a Non-Signatory Statement of Compliance from any of the authorized Classification Societies approved as a Recognized Organization by Liberia
2. Before issuing this Certificate, the Classification Society shall review the plans and witness the test results to determine compliance with MARPOL ANNEX IV as required.
3. An authorized Classification Society may issue a Non-Signatory Statement of Compliance, provided:
4. The discharge from the installed treatment device(s) meets the effluent standards described in MEPC.2 (IV), or
5. A device to comminute and disinfect the sewage is installed in accordance with the requirements of the Class Society as meeting the requirements of MARPOL

Annex IV, or

1. A holding tank which is in accordance with the requirement developed by the Classification Society, which should include the amount of fluid used to transport waste to the holding tank, the number of persons carried and the type of voyage the ship will be employed.
2. The device is installed in accordance with the society’s electrical standards.
3. The piping and installation are in accord with good marine practice and the standards of the Classification Society, and
4. A pipeline for the discharge of sewage to a shore side reception facility is properly installed.

4. All Marine Sanitation Devices or sewage holding tanks shall:

1. Be installed as far away as possible from heat sources that can accelerate the growth of bacteria.
2. Be adequately vented to ensure that there are sufficient changes of air to remove any methane gases that may build up.
3. Shall have vents that are located away from any accommodation and work spaces and shall be screened to prevent the entry of insects and to act as a flame barrier should gases build up in the tank.
4. The design of the tank and its associated equipment (pumps, piping and water supply) shall be sufficient to ensure the tanks can be completely discharged and flushed clean.

Should you have any comments, questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me at LISCR in Vienna, Virginia, USA. The telephone number is 703-251-2409 and Email safaety@liscr.com.

ATTACHMENT I

NON-SIGNATORY STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

with

The provisions of Annex IV of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 thereto, and as amended^[1] by

Resolution MEPC.88 (44)

Issued on behalf of the Republic of Liberia

By the _____________________________(Classification Society)

New Ship

Existing Ship

Date on which keel was laid:______________

THIS IS TO CERTIFY:

1. That the ship is equipped with a sewage treatment plant/comminuter/holding tank* and a discharge pipeline in compliance with regulation 9 and 10 of the revised Annex IV of the Convention as follows:
   1. The following sewage treatment plant^[2] is certified to meet the effluent standards as provided for in Resolution MEPC.2(VI):

Type of sewage treatment plant _________________________________________

Name of manufacturer ________________________________________________ The sewage treatment plant is certified by the Administration to meet the effluent standards as provided for in resolution MEPC.2(VI)following

fluent standards: _____________________________________________________

• 1. Description of comminuter:²

Type of comminuter __________________________________________________

Name of manufacturer ________________________________________________

Standard of sewage after disinfection: ____________________________________

• 1. Description of holding tank equipment:²

Total capacity of holding tank: ________________________________________m³ Location: __________________________________________________________

• 1. A pipeline for the discharge of sewage to a reception facility, is fitted with a standard

shore connection: (Yes/No)

1. The ship has been surveyed in accordance with regulation 4 of Annex IV of the International Convention. for the Prevention of Pollution from ships, 1973, concerning the prevention of pollution by sewage and
2. The survey showed that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material of the ship and the condition thereof are in all respects satisfactory and the ship complies with the applicable requirements of Annex IV of the Convention.

This Statement is valid until_____________________________________________ subject to surveys in accordance with regulation 4 of Annex IV of the Convention.

Completion of the survey on which this statement is based: (dd/mm/yy of N/A)

Issued at _____________________the _________ day of _______________20__

_______________________________

(Class Society)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Endorsement to extend the Statement if valid for less than 5 years where regulation 8.3 applies

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This ship complies with the relevant provisions of the Convention, and this Statement shall, in accordance with regulation 8.3 of Annex IV of the Convention, be accepted as valid until: ______________

CLASS Signed: ___________________

SOCIETY Place: ___________________

SEAL Date: ____________________

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Endorsement where the renewal survey has been completed and regulation 8.4 applies

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This ship complies with the relevant provisions of the Convention, and this Statement shall, in accordance with regulation 8.4 of Annex IV of the Convention, be accepted as valid until: ______________

CLASS Signed: ___________________

SOCIETY Place: ___________________

SEAL Date: ____________________

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Endorsement to extend the validity of the Statement until reaching the port of survey or for a period of grace where regulation 8.5 or 8.6 applies

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Statement shall, in accordance with regulation 8.5 or 8.6 of Annex IV of the Convention, be accepted as valid until: ______________

CLASS Signed: ___________________

SOCIETY Place: ___________________

SEAL Date: ____________________

1. In accordance with resolution MEPC.88(44), this Statement of Compliance was issued on the revised Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78, as set out in Annex 10 of MEPC 44/20. ↑

2. Delete as appropriate. ↑