Marine Operations Note: 03/2015 - Wrecks Removal Convention Certificate Issuance/Renewal Procedure

23 February 2015

Marine Operations Note: 03/2015

(This Marine Operations Note supersedes Marine Operations Note 01/2015)

Subject: Wrecks Removal Convention Certificate Issuance/Renewal Procedure

References: The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007

Dear Shipowner/Operator/P&I Clubs:

Purpose

The purpose of this note is to provide information on the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 (WRC) will enter into force on 14 April 2015. This note also provides guidance on procedures for issuance of WRC certificates for Liberian registered vessels, vessels registered in States that are not yet a Party to the Convention and vessels registered in States for whom the convention will enter into force after14 April 2015. Paragraphs 1. and 2. provide further details.

Background

Liberia deposited its instrument of accession with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and became a Party to the Convention on 8 January 2015. The Convention provides an international legal framework for ratifying States to promptly and effectively remove shipwrecks that may have the potential to adversely affect the safety of lives at sea, property at sea, as well as the marine environment. It establishes consistency in the treatment of wrecks and guarantees that claimants have unequivocal access to ship-owners’ financial security for their liability in respect to wrecks.

Applicability

The Convention requires the registered owner of a ship, having a gross tonnage greater than 300, to maintain insurance or other financial security to cover the removal of wrecks. Vessels must carry onboard, a WRC certificate attesting that insurance or other financial security is maintained in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

The Convention applies exclusively to liabilities for the removal of wrecks (including any form of prevention, mitigation or elimination of the hazard created by a wreck) in exclusive economic zone of a State Party, established in accordance with international law, or, if a State Party has not established such a zone, in an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea. A State may apply the WRC to wrecks located within a States territory, including the territorial sea, provided it informs the IMO. Liberia has informed IMO that it will apply the Convention to its territory, including its territorial sea.

Relevant Convention Definitions

“Ship” means a seagoing vessel of any type whatsoever and includes hydrofoil boats, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, floating craft and floating platforms, except when such platforms are on location engaged in the exploration, exploitation or production of seabed mineral resources.

“Shipowner” means the owner, including the registered owner, bareboat charterer, manager and operator of the ship.

“Registered owner” means the person or persons registered as owner of the ship or in the absence of registration, the person or persons owing the ship at the time of the maritime casualty.

“Wrecks” following upon maritime causality, means: (a) A sunken or stranded ship; or (b) any part of a sunken or stranded ship, including any object that is or has been on board such a ship: or (c) any object that is lost at sea from a ship and that is stranded, sunken or adrift at sea: or (d) a ship that is about, or may reasonably be expected, to sink or to strand, where effective measures to assist the ship or any property in danger are not already being taken.

“Hazard” means any condition or threat that: (a) poses a danger or impediment to navigation; or (b) may reasonably be expected to result in major harmful consequences to the marine environment, or damage to the coastline or related interests of one or more States.

“Convention area” means the exclusive economic zone of a State Party, established in accordance with international law or, if a State party has not established such a zone, an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea of that state determined by the state in accordance with international laws and extending not more than 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of its territorial sea is measured.

“Territorial sea” extends 12 nautical miles from the coastal baseline.

1. Issuance and Renewal of Wreck Removal Certificate for Liberian Flagged Vessels

For issuance of initial and subsequent renewal certificates, vessel owners/operators are requested to provide the Liberian flag Administration with an application not later than 30 days prior to the date the certificate is required. Applications must include the Wreck Removal Blue Card in electronic format, issued by a P&I Club or other insurer recognized by Liberia. The Blue Card must be issued (and so stated thereon) in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of the WRC and indicate the Name and Address of the Shipowner’s Principal Place of Business.

The fee for a Liberian WRC certificate is USD100.00. If a hard copy of the certificate is preferred, a courier fee of USD45.00 will be applied for each courier shipment. Multiple certificates will be combined when possible in one courier delivery to save cost. Certificates may also be issued by the Registry’s regional offices.

A. Online Application Procedure

WRC certificates may be ordered online through www.liscr.com or directly at https://emaritime.liscr.com. Specific instructions are provided therein.

B. Alternate Application Procedure

Applications (email preferred) may also be submitted directly to vesselcertificates@liscr.com and include “WRC certificate” in the subject line. Applications should include the vessel name, call sign, gross tonnage and IMO number, along with the vessel specific Wreck Removal Blue Card, in pdf format. Payment may be made by check, wire transfer or credit card using the enclosed payment instructions and form and made payable to “LISCR, LLC – Maritime”. Please indicate your preference to receive the certificate(s) by email or courier. If a hard copy of the certificate(s) is preferred, a courier fee of USD45.00 will be applied for each courier shipment. Multiple certificates will be combined when possible in one courier delivery to save cost.

If it is necessary to send documents by another method, our address is:

Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry

ATTN: Wreck Removal Applications 8619 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 300 Vienna, Virginia 22182, U.S.A.

Email contact: vesselcertificates@liscr.com

Tel: +1 703 790 3434

Fax: +1 703 790 5655

2. Issuance and Renewal of Wreck Removal Certificate to Non-Liberian Flagged Vessels

The Administration will issue WRC certificates for vessels registered in States that are not yet a Party to the WRC and vessels registered in States for whom the convention will enter into force after 14 April 2015.

The same online application procedures in paragraph 1.A, should be utilized when applying for WRC certificates for Non-Liberian Flagged vessels.

If using the Alternate Application Procedure in paragraph 1.B., please complete and provide the information requested in the attached application form RLM-113 in your email to vesselcertificates@liscr.com.

The fee for processing non-Liberian registered vessels is USD300.00. If a hard copy of the certificate is preferred, a fee of USD45.00 will be applied for each courier shipment. Multiple certificates will be combined when possible in one courier delivery to save cost. Certificates may also be issued by the Registry’s regional offices. Non-Liberian WRC certificate require pre-payment. Payment may be made by check, wire transfer or credit card using the enclosed payment instructions and form and made payable to “LISCR, LLC – Maritime”.

Note: Information received will be retained to reduce the administrative burden when ordering WRC certificates during the 2016 and onward renewal periods.

Verification of Certificates issued by Liberia

WRC certificates issued by Liberian have a unique Tracking ID (TID) number at the bottom of the certificate, which may be used to verify its validity on the Registry’s website: www.liscr.com.

For questions regarding this note, please contact Vessel Certificates Division at telephone +1 703 790 3434, email: vesselcertificates@liscr.com.

* * * * *

Wreck Removal Convention Certificate Application Form

Non-Liberian Flag vessels

Please complete this form and submit with your request:

Note: An application form is not required, if the vessel was previously issued a certificate by this Administration and the information provided in section #2 and #9 of the application is still valid. In such cases, submit only the relevant Blue Card and payment with request.

1. Name of Vessel:

1. Port of Registry:

1. IMO No.:

1. Distinctive Number or Letters:

1. Vessel Type:

1. Gross Tons:

1. Year Built (dd/mm/yyyy):

1. Managing Director/Designated Person Ashore (DPA):

Name:

Tel:

Fax:

Email:

1. Mailing Address where the Liberian issued WRC Certificate(s) should be sent:

Attention:

Name of Company:

Street:

City: Postal Code:

Country:

Tel: Email:

RLM-113 Rev.0:1/20/2015

8619 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 300

Vienna, Virginia 22182, USA

L I S C R, LLC Email: accounting@liscr.com

Tel: + 1 703 790 3434 Fax: + 1 703 790 5655

LIBERIAN INTERNATIONAL SHIP & CORPORATE REGISTRY

SEAFARERS CERTIFICATION & MARITIME OPERATION METHODS OF PAYMENT

Please ensure that the name and registration number of the Liberian entity for which payment is being made, and, where available, the invoice number in respect in which you are making payment, are clearly stated on the payment. Available payment methods are listed below:

1. CHECK OR BANK DRAFT:

Checks must be in U.S. dollars and drawn on a bank located in the United States, payable to:

"LISCR, LLC-Maritime Account"

1. BANK (WIRE) TRANSFER

To send your payment by bank transfer, your bank will require the following information:

Wire Transfers from Europe Other Wire Transfers

1. AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA, OR MASTERCARD – Complete the below authorization form and email or fax it to us.

Our detailed information is provided on top of this page. Please include any additional invoices on separate page(s).