Marine Operations Note: 04/2018 - Liberian Seafarer Credentials - Crimea Region Sanctions

4 April 2018

Marine Operations Note: 04/2018

(This Marine Operations Note supersedes and replaces Marine Operations Note: 04/2015)

SUBJECT: Liberian Seafarer Credentials - Crimea Region Sanctions

Dear Shipowners/Operators, Masters

Marine Operations Note 04/2015 provided guidance on the international Trade Sanctions included United States Executive Order; 13662 (March 2014), which obstructed the Liberian Administration from processing applications and issuance of seafarers’ documents for residents of the Crimea Region. As a result, the Liberia Maritime Authority issued waiver letters to seafarers residing in the Crimea region allowing them to sail on Liberian flagged vessels without possessing a Liberian Endorsement, Liberian Seafarer Identification and Record Book, or Liberian Special Qualifications.

The U.S. Treasury Department recently issued a License to the Liberian Administration, under which Liberia is able to issue to seafarers ordinarily resident in the Crimea region of Ukraine:

• Liberian Endorsements;
• Liberian Seafarer Identification and Record Books; and  Liberian Special Qualifications.

The license is valid until 29 February 2020.

After 01 June 2018, all Crimea Region seafarers sailing aboard Liberian Flagged vessel must have active Liberian issued credentials.

Seafarers who are not in possession of active Liberian issued credentials, may continue to sail on Liberian Flagged vessel with the waiver letter and their valid national certificates of competencies, national seafarer identification record book and national special qualifications until 01 June 2018.

Agents that hire Crimea residents to sail aboard Liberian flagged vessels have been instructed to apply for Liberian documents as they would any other seafarer.

A copy of this Marine Operations Note should be made available to Port State Control Inspectors, if there is a question regarding validity of Liberian issued credentials

For questions regarding this note, please contact this Administration’s Seafarer’s Certification Division at +1 703 790 3434 or email: seafarers@liscr.com.

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