Marine Operations Note: 04/2008 - INCLUSION OF ADMINISTRATION ON VESSEL ADVANCE NOTICE OF ARRIVAL FOR U.S. PORTS

21 August 2008

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE 4/2008

Subject: INCLUSION OF ADMINISTRATION ON VESSEL ADVANCE NOTICE OF ARRIVAL FOR U.S. PORTS

Dear Shipowners/Operators and Masters,

The U.S. Coast Guard has increased the number and focus of port state control inspections and it is important that Masters ensure certain actions are taken in advance of arrival to expedite the inspection, minimize vessel deficiencies and avoid unnecessary delays. In an effort to assist shipowners, operators and Masters to minimize deficiencies and prevent detentions, beginning 1 September 2008, we recommend all shipowners, operators of Liberian registered vessels scheduled to call at port(s) in the United States provide this Administration at email address: noa@liscr.com 96 hour advance notice of such arrival. The Administration intends to use this notice to provide timely port State guidance to the Company DPA/CSO for further use by the Master, as deemed appropriate. The guidance will be updated periodically to keep it current.

To avoid burdensome duplicate reporting, the Administration recommends Companies/Masters include the email address: noa@liscr.com in the same 96 hour notice of arrival (NOA) currently provided to the U.S.C.G. National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC), as detailed in its website: http://www.nvmc.uscg.gov/NVMC/default.aspx

The preferred method of notification of the Administration is by e-mail to the address: noa@liscr.com as noted above.

If the 96-hour notification to USCG NVMC is made by Fax, the Administration’s preferred facsimile number is +1 703 790 5655, attn: NOA Officer.

Shipowners/Operators are requested to inform Masters of Liberian flag vessels to implement this Operations Note through onboard procedures.

Please contact Timothy M. Keegan at telephone +1 703 251 2409 or email: safety@liscr.com, if there any questions regarding the above.

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