Marine Operations Note: 04/2017 - Advance Notice of Arrival Requirements for vessels calling on ports in China

May 2017

Marine Operations Note: 04/2017

(This Marine Operations Notes supersedes Marine Operations Note 1/2012)

SUBJECT: Advance Notice of Arrival Requirements for vessels calling on ports in China

Dear Ship Owner Operator and Designated Person Ashore:

We are seeing an increase in Port State Control inspections in China. Many of these inspections are reporting deficiencies, including deficiencies that result in detentions. The detainable deficiencies are due to existing conditions, primarily relating to defective firefighting equipment, defective navigation equipment, inadequate maintenance, and ineffective SMS, where there is no evidence of corrective action.

In nearly every case in which a vessel is detained, the Administration was not provided with an Advance Notice of Arrival (ANOA) or notice of deficiencies and corrective action from the ship/company Designated Persons Ashore (DPA). If PSC inspectors are aware that the Administration has been informed of inoperative equipment or other deficiencies and that corrective action has been initiated, they are more likely to let the Administration control actions to address compliance. When the Administration has received an ANOA there is time to provide assistance to ensure compliance, thus minimizing any potential delays due to detention and noncompliance with the international conventions.

To better assist the vessel operator, the Master and the crew on board Liberian ships, the Administration will require Master’s and/or DPA’s to provide an ANOA to NOA@liscr.com at least 4 work days (96 hours) prior their vessel arrives at its first port in China. Marine Operations Note 1/2012 which encouraged ANOA is revoked.

DPAs and Master’s should ensure their crews and vessels are prepared for Port State Control inspections and drills. The Liberian Administration provides a Pre-Arrival Checklist (RLM-258) that outlines the major items, systems, and equipment that are known to be source of most detainable deficiencies. It is also available on the LISCR web site: http://www.liscr.com/onlinelibrary-forms-applications?f[]=field_select_a_category:109.

A completed checklist identifying any defective equipment, possible noncompliance and corrective action should be included with the ANOA. This will assist in minimizing potential problems with PSC and delay of the ship.

If you have questions please contact us by email at safety@liscr.com or by telephone to +1703-790-3434 and ask for the Safety Department.

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