Marine Operations Note: 04/2006 - International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) Intermediate Verification

June 30, 2006

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE: 04 /2006

RE: International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) Intermediate Verification

Dear Owner/Operator:

Operators of Liberian registered ships are reminded that the intermediate verification of the International Ship Security Certificates for most ships will be due between July 2006 and July 2007. In the interest of ensuring continued compliance with the ISPS Code and SOLAS XI-2 and efficient scheduling between ships and auditors, we encourage CSO’s to schedule verifications earlier during the period due rather than later.

1. Intermediate Audits. Please refer ISPS Code A/19.1.1.3, A/19.3.7 and Liberian Marine Notice ISP-001/4.20. The ISPS Code does not allow the extension of the ISSC, therefore the Intermediate verification must be completed before it is overdue. Requesting the verification at the very end of the due date could pose scheduling problems and added cost, if there is a larger back log of scheduled audits than there are available auditors (Liberian and RSOs). Therefore, to ensure continued compliance, we strongly urge all concerned to contact the auditing coordination center at audit@liscr.com to schedule the verifications as early as possible.

Further, please note that the ISSC Intermediate verification can be harmonized with ISM audit saving time and money for the vessel operators and putting less burden on the crew.

1. Ship Security Alert System Installation and Verification. Please refer to SOLAS Regulation XI-2/6 together with ISP-001/8.4 to determine the required installation date for the SSAS on board the vessels. Vessels classified as ‘other cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards and self propelled mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs)’ are required to complete installation of SSAS not later than first survey of radio installation after 1 July 2006. Vessels which have installed the SSAS, but have not had it verified, will need to have the installation verified.

Kindly note there is a difference between the system ‘Test’ requirement and the system ‘Verification’ requirement for the SSAS. Both Liberian Marine Notice ISP001/8.4.2 and the Liberian Marine Operations Note 04/2005 provide details on the requirement for verification of the SSAS by a Security Auditor (Liberian or RSO) within one year of the installation of the system.

This requirement therefore can also be coordinated with the Security Verification or Harmonized ISM/ISSC Audit.

1. Amendments to the SSP. All amendments to the SSP must be approved by the Administration. Please refer to Liberian Marine Notice ISP-001/4.13 for further guidance. In order to avoid potential delays it is imperative that all amendments, including those relating to installation of the SSAS are approved by this Administration before an auditor performs the intermediate verification audit. The ‘Record of changes’ page must also be approved and stamped, by this Administration, before the audit.

For more information please contact +1 703 251 2435 or email: audit@liscr.com or security@liscr.com

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