Liberia - Special requirements by the Liberian Administration
Flag instructions relating to statutory surveys
Flag procedural requirements
| Standing requirements | Action by |
|---|---|
| 1- Reporting on entry into class | MOC |
| 2- Reporting on requests for exemptions or interpretations | MOC |
| 3- Reporting on cases of major deficiencies, as per IACS Recommendation No. 98 (Duties of surveyors under statutory conventions and codes) | MOC |
| 4- Pre-authorisation prior to extending statutory certificates | MOC |
| 5- Pre-authorisation prior to issuing conditional certificates | MOC |
| 6- Reporting on detentions | DO-FM |
| 7- Submission of copies of statutory certificates as amended | DO-FM |
| 8- Reporting on class suspension or class modification | MOC |
| 9- Reporting on class withdrawal | DO-FM |
Rq: refer to Exchange of information below for detailed notification procedure
For further instructions and details, refer to the Agreement in Agreement governing the delegation of Statutory verification and Certification Services.
Any correspondence relating to class statement and other class documents is directly e-mailed to:
The list of contacts is available at: https://www.liscr.com/contact-us
General policy
Agreements
The Agreement and its Annexes are displayed as Agreement governing the delegation of Statutory verification and Certification Services to Annex III to the Agreement.
With reference to the paragraph II-4 (“Registration of vessels”) of the Annex II to the Agreement (see Annex II to the Agreement), the information required by paragraph II.4.2 is directly forwarded by MOCs to the Administration.
A template of the statement to be delivered by Recognised Organisation (RO) is in MOC Doc section of ASMS2 web certificate.
Where a confusion with “bulk carrier” may occur, the type of ship is clearly specified (for example, cement carrier).
Authorization
An Authorization signed on 28 November 2022 is given by LISCR, LLC to Recognised Organisation (RO) SA for Monitoring, Collection, Verification, Authorization and Reporting of IMO DCS, EU MRV, SEEMP and CII verification services (see attached file “CONFIDENTIAL_Agreement_RO_LISCR_DCS_CII_MRV”).
This Agreement, in particular its Annex 1 related to the Administration’s fees, is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed outside Recognised Organisation (RO).
The details of this authorization is described in § IMO Data Collection System (DCS) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
Relations with the Liberian Administration
Classification and the Liberian Administration
The Administration will inform the society of all requests for information or assistance from their inspectors, so that the the society can send the necessary instructions to its surveyors.
No action should be undertaken on behalf of the Administration, unless instructions are received from DO-FM or MOC. Any surveyor should revert to DO-FM if he is directly requested to act by a representative of the Liberian Administration.
Exchange of information
(RSCM meeting 09/2008)
The information and data required to be reported may be sent in electronic format as an attachment to an e-mail sent to Regsandstandards@liscr.com unless otherwise specified.
Information regarding suspension or withdrawal of class, detention of a vessel, or a vessel casualty that occurred outside of the normal working hours of the Administration (8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday Eastern Standard Time USA), or during a weekend or holiday, in addition to being sent to the Regsandstandards@liscr.com, should also be sent to the LISCR duty officer at dutyofficer@liscr.com. Also for after hours notifications, the duty officer should be called at +1 703 963 6216 and informed that a message was sent.
Change in classification
The Marine Centre notifies the Administration of any of the following actions affecting a vessel’s classification, particulars, or the statutory certificates, as applicable, by the most expeditious means:
Change of classification society
The gaining society shall provide notification of receipt of request for change of class within five working days of receiving the request
Within three working days of receipt of a notification of a request for change from the gaining society, the Administration shall provide any Administration instructions when applicable
The gaining society shall notify the Administration of the issuance of the interim class certificate and final class certificate, including the expiration date of the certificate, within five working days
Change of vessel classification
a Within three working days notification of the issuance of change of vessel classification including indicating the vessel’s previous classification and its new classification
Change of vessel particulars
Within three working days of the issuance of a new certificate notification of a change to any of the following
gross tonnage
net tonnage
deadweight tonnage
length (LBP and LOA)
breadth
depth
propulsion engine type and/or number of engines
propulsion engine power in KW
Major conversion or rebuilding of a vessel
Notification within three working days of completion of a vessel’s conversion or rebuilding of the date of the conversion and of the vessel’s new classification if applicable.
Surveys and issuance of certificates
Statutory certificates
Issuance of short-term certificates
Refer to the Marine Notice TEC-001, which is displayed in Marine Notice TEC-001 - Issuance and use of statutory certificates (extracts).
No conditionally issued certificate shall be issued on behalf of the Administration.
When recommendations are pending upon completion of a statutory survey, a so-called “short-term certificate” shall be issued in lieu of a conditionally issued certificate.
Conditions for issuance of short-term certificates are those currently in force for the release of the “conditionally issued” certificate, i.e.:
prior authorisation of the Administration (Recognised Organisation (RO) is to report to the Administration statutory recommendations that result in the need for issuance of a short term statutory certificate, prior issuance of this statutory certificate),
endorsement of the recommendations with their limit dates,
maximum validity 1 month, except when specifically allowed by the Administration.
ASMS Certificates Editor has been modified so that, if need be, a short-term certificate is automatically processed in lieu of a conditionally issued certificate on behalf of the Administration. Where there is no access to ASMS, printed forms shall be used and the words “conditionally issued” shall be crossed out and replaced with the words “short-term”.
Statutory recommendations may be issued in lieu of short term certificate in accordance with IMO Resolution A. 1104(29) only with prior approval of the Administration.
Extension of statutory certificates
(CSCC, October 1997)
All requests for extension of statutory certificates must be forwarded to the Administration for authorisation, prior to issuance of the extension. The request should be accompanied by a copy of the owner’s request sent to the society and the society’s recommendation with respect to the request. A list of the ships overdue surveys and outstanding statutory deficiencies and classification recommendations should be included with the request. If approved, the society will be authorised to issue a time specific short-term certificate. The full-term statutory certificate should be removed from the ship by the society surveyor. A copy of the short-term certificate should be forwarded to the Administration for inclusion in the ship file.
Exemption certificates
(RCSM - October 2013)
All request for authorization to issue an initial exemption, or to reissue an exemption certificate on behalf of Liberia during a change of Flag survey, shall be sent to Regsandstandards@liscr.com and dutyofficer@liscr.com to ensure a response 24/7. For a change of Flag, if prior to the change of Flag survey, Recognised Organisation (RO) is aware of exemptions that have been issued to the vessel by its previous Flag, Recognised Organisation (RO) may request approval to reissue the exemptions on behalf of Liberia prior to the surveyor commencing the change of Flag survey.
(RCSM - September 2025)
Prior to requesting the Administration for authorization to grant an exemption, equivalency or authorization, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall seek the concurrence of the shipowner. The request should be accompanied by a recommendation and a HAZID/HAZOP, as applicable.
Initial issuance:
When a shipowner requests the initial issuance of an exemption, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall contact the Administration for authorization to issue the requested exemption. If the Administration concurs with the request, the Administration will provide Recognised Organisation (RO) with any conditions that must be included in the exemption and with authorization to issue the vessel an interim exemption certificate valid for up to five months.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration when the interim exemption is issued and provide a copy of the interim exemption. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide the Administration with the expiration date of the full term statutory certificate associated with the interim exemption. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall request that the Administration issue the full term exemption certificate.
The Administration will issue the full term exemption certificate, sending the original certificate to the ship owner with a copy to Recognised Organisation (RO).
Renewal of an exemption certificate previously approved and issued by the Administration:
Upon completion of the applicable survey and if no circumstances involving the ship, its operation or the exemption have changed, then Recognised Organisation (RO) should issue the ship an interim exemption certifcate valid for up to five months. The interim exemption should contain any conditions previously required by the Administration. No prior authorization from the Administration to renew such exemption is needed.
Once the interim exemption has been issued, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration when the interim exemption is issued and provide a copy of the interim exemption. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide the Administration with the expiration date of the full term statutory certificate associated with the interim exemption. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall request that the Administration issue the full term exemption certificate.
The Administration will issue the full term exemption certificate, sending the original certificate to the ship owner with a copy to Recognised Organisation (RO).
Vessels registering under the Liberian Flag:
At the change of Flag survey, Recognised Organisation (RO) should request authorization from the Administration for re-issue on behalf of Liberia any exemption issued to the vessel by its previous Flag State. If the Administration concurs, the Administration will authorize Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue the vessel an interim exemption certificate valid for up to five months. The Administration will also provide Recognised Organisation (RO) with any conditions that must be included in the exemption.
After the issuance of the interim exemption certificate, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration when the interim exemption is issued and provide a copy of the interim exemption. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide the Administration with the expiration date of the full term statutory certificate associated with the interim exemption. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall request that the Administration issue the full term exemption certificate.
The Administration will issue the full term exemption certificate, sending the original certificate to the ship owner with a copy to Recognised Organisation (RO).
Surveys not performed on time
If the safety (mandatory annual and intermediate) surveys or loadline periodical inspections are not completed within the period prescribed (three months either way of anniversary date of the certificate), the Administration requires that such certificates be not renewed but endorsed at the next survey as follows:
“Validity restored in acc. with res.A1156(32)/sect.5.6”.
Advancement of anniversary dates
(RCSM 2022)
Endorsement carried out after the close of the survey window shall be endorsed in the section that states a new anniversary date has been established. All future annual surveys shall be measured from this date. However, the certificate’s expiration date does not change. If the statutory certificate is re-validated after the close of an annual or intermediate survey window, the proper entry shall be made on the full-term statutory certificate.
With regards to extensions of certificates, HSSC states that an additional survey to scope of annual should be carried out in order to extend the certificate by 3 months. In this case, the HSSC states the extension should be endorsed on the certificate or a short-term certificate issued based on the additional survey date with an annotation. However, the total validity of the statutory certificate, original validity plus extension, must not exceed five years and three months.
(RCSM - September 2025)
Any extension of renewal surveys must be explicitly authorized by the Administration. The Administration’s policy is not to grant a three (3) months extension of renewal surveys, but to progress the renewal surveys to the maximum extent practicable and Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue short term statutory certificates for the minimum period authorized by the Administration, which is 1 month.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to promptly forward to the Administration a copy of any amended certificates which may have been issued in the following cases, deemed to be involving surveys of outstanding deficiencies and, if necessary, temporary repairs which enable a vessel to sail for only a limited period:
in specified ballast and/or loaded conditions;
at reduced speed and/or machinery output;
with reduced availability of power for essential power consumption;
in restricted areas of navigation or on specific voyages only;
for operation in specified weather conditions;
under tow or under escort.
Change of Flag surveys
(RSCM meeting 09/2008)
Issuance of exemption certificates, CAS Statements of Compliance (SoC), authorization to carry Heavy Grade Oils (HGO), or special operating conditions at a change of Flag survey, authorization to carry unmodified oils and fats displaying footnote k in column e of Chapter 17 of the IBC code, special operating conditions
When Recognised Organisation (RO) is requested by a vessel owner to conduct a change of Flag survey for a vessel entering the Liberian Flag, the surveyor asks the vessel owners if the vessel has any exemption certificates, special operating conditions, or, if applicable, a CAS SoC or HGO authorization issued by the vessel’s previous Flag.
If yes then the surveyor should:
For exemption certificates, see Statutory certificates for the procedure for issuance of an exemption certificate in case of change of Flag. Recognised Organisation (RO) is to request authorization from the Administration for re-issue on behalf of Liberia any exemption issued to the vessel by its previous Flag State.
The same applies for equivalency letter issued by previous Flag, where Recognised Organisation (RO) shall inform the Administration for their review and reissuance of the equivalency by the Administration (refer also to Equivalent arrangements or alternate methodology under SOLAS / MARPOL / MLC and applicable codes).
For CAS SoC
Recognised Organisation (RO) issued the CAS final report on behalf of the previous Administration:
Recognised Organisation (RO) send to the Liberia a confirmation that at the time of transfer, all the terms and conditions justifying the issuance of the SoC to that ship are still valid and being maintained
The Liberia will authorize Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue the vessel an interim CAS SoC valid for up to 90 days.
The Marine Centres instruct the surveyor accordingly
The surveyor shall instruct the vessel owners to contact the Administration for issuance of the full term CAS SoC.
Recognised Organisation (RO) did not issue the CAS final report obo the previous Administration:
Upon receipt by the Liberia of the status report from the RO that provided the CAS final report to the previous Administration, the Liberia will authorize Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue the vessel an interim CAS SoC valid for up to 90 days.
The Marine Centres instruct the surveyor accordingly
The surveyor shall instruct the vessel owners to contact the Administration for issuance of the full term CAS SoC.
If there is evidence that the ship is no longer eligible for a CAS SoC, the surveyor informs the Marine Centre which contacts the Administration immediately and request guidance.
For authorization to carry HGO, unless there is evidence that the vessel may no longer be eligible for authorization to carry heavy grade oil, the surveyor asks the vessel’s owners / representative a written confirmation that they desire to retain the HGO authorization and upon receiving such confirmation issue the vessel an interim IOPP certificate valid for up to 90 days with the Form B appropriately annotated to indicate that the vessel is authorized for the carriage of HGO. The surveyor then instructs the vessel owners to contact the Administration for issuance of the full term Authorization.
If there is evidence that the ship is no longer eligible to carry HGO, the surveyor informs the Marine Centre which contact the Administration immediately and requests guidance.
If a vessel has special operating conditions granted by its previous Administration the surveyor informs the Marine Centre which contact the Administration immediately for authorization to reissue such special conditions prior to issuing the statutory certificates on behalf of Liberia.
If, to the opinion of the surveyor, there is evidence that the vessel’s condition has deteriorated or changed and it may not be eligible for re-issuance of the applicable document on behalf of Liberia, the surveyor informs the Marine Centre which contacts the Administration immediately via e-mail at Regsandstandards@liscr.com and dutyofficer@liscr.com.
The Administration may also be called at +1 703 251 2413. If the e-mail notification is sent after 5 pm Eastern Standard Time (USA) Monday thru Friday, on weekends or holidays the Marine Centre also call the LISCR Duty Officer at +1 703 963 6216 and inform the duty officer when the message was sent.
(RCSM - September 2025)
During change of flag survey (IACS PR28), the survey scope is equivalent to an annual survey and any prior issued Condition of Class or short-term certificates must be rectified.
Equivalent arrangements or alternate methodology under SOLAS / MARPOL / MLC and applicable codes
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to inform the Administration in case an equivalent arrangement or alternate methodology is required in order to meet the functional requirement and performance criteria. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide the equivalent arrangement or alternate methodology to the Administration for review.
In particular and as an example, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall send in advance to the Administration any equivalent arrangement related to installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems.
Non-conformance/deficiency
Major non-conformance/deficiency
Any major non-conformance or any major deficiency after an audit or inspection is to be reported to the Administration.
Coordination of due dates for outstanding deficiencies
(Administration letter dated 25/02/2025 in attached file “Liberia_Due Date Coordination and PSC Reporting_25FEB2025”)
For vessels under the following scenarios:
Port State Control Detention
Port State Control Report with deficiencies requiring attendance from Recognised Organisation (RO)
Flag State Control Letter issued by Liberia
Flag State Detention Letter issued by Liberia
In some cases, a flag state inspector is onboard the vessel at the same time a Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyor, and their Inspection reports contain the same deficiencies. However, the grace period to rectify the deficiencies are different.
In an effort to minimize this discrepancies, the Administration has prepared the following guidance:
If all deficiencies cannot be rectified at the port where the deficiencies are found, Recognised Organisation (RO) is to contact the flag Administration at prevention@liscr.com and dutyofficer@liscr.com prior to granting a grace period for deficiencies raised under the scenarios listed above.
The purpose is to harmonize the due dates of any deficiencies recorded by representatives of the Administration and Recognized Organization, i.e. when the Class Surveyor and the flag State Inspector raise the same deficiency, the due dates for the rectification of the deficiency must be the same.
In the event that the ship cannot be attended by the Recognised Organisation (RO) Class Surveyor, prior to administratively or remotely granting or extending a grace period to rectify the deficiencies, or closing the deficiencies remotely, it is requested that the Administration is contacted at prevention@liscr.com and dutyofficer@liscr.com with a proposal for our review. For these cases, the Administration will explore the possibility of appointing a flag state inspector to attend the vessel.
Extension of Recommendations/Conditions
(Administration letter dated 25/02/2025 in attached file “Liberia_Due Date Coordination and PSC Reporting_25FEB2025”)
For extension of any Class and/or Statutory recommendation/condition issued after any survey and not during any of the scenarios listed in Coordination of due dates for outstanding deficiencies above, the Administration shall be contacted at prevention@liscr.com; dutyofficer@liscr.com and regsandstandards@liscr.com prior to granting the extension.
Condition of Class and/or Statutory Recommendations
(Administration email dated 17/11/2025)
With reference to Annex II.2.3 to II.2.5 of the Agreement (see Annex II to the Agreement), Recognised Organisation (RO) is to notify the Administration at prevention@liscr.com and regsandstandards@liscr.com for approval when any Condition of Class is issued (even in case of extension see Extension of Recommendations/Conditions).
(Technical Letter 2025-04)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to promptly advise the Administration by email to regsandstandards@liscr.com of cases where the original classification status of a vessel is temporarily changed or certain material and/or operational restrictions are imposed. Similarly, the Administration shall be advised when a vessel is deemed fit to proceed to sea.
Prior to issuing or extending any Condition of Class of a serious structural nature that requires temporary/permanent repair before departure port; any Condition of Class related to equipment/machinery; and all Statutory Recommendation for a vessel, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall promptly request the Administration for its agreement, along with any recommendation for correcting the same.
If agreed, the Administration will grant the minimum period required to rectify the Condition of Class/Statutory Recommendation, but not exceeding a period of one (1) month for any Condition of Class/Statutory Recommendation related to equipment/machinery; or if linked to a dispensation issued by the Administration, the duration is to be aligned with the dispensation.
Electronic Certificates and Documents issued by Liberia
The Administration has issued a Flag Letter dated 14/09/2017 with Guidance to e-Certificates issued in accordance with IMO Circular FAL.5/Circ.39/Rev.2.
This letter includes a link to the most recent IMO guidance on e-certificates, a link to the Registry mobile App as option for certificate verification and link to IMO GISIS website to view samples of Liberia’s e-certificates.
For futher information, refer to attached file “FlagLetter_09-2017.pdf”.
Electronic Certificates issued by Recognised Organisation (RO)
(Letter dated 15/06/2018, attached file “Recognised Organisation (RO) E-Certificate Authorization.pdf”)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to issue electronic digital statutory certificates to Liberian flagged vessels according to FAL.5/Circ.39/Rev.2.
Fees
Refer to the related procedure.
Sanctions Imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control
Refer to attached file “Guidance concerning Liberian Vessel on Cancellation of Services”.
The Administration is to be informed through C&R_STAT in case of any Liberian vessel’s statutory or class certificate cancellation due to the vessel’s involvement in a sanctionable activity and/or Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (“SDN”) listing.
Issuance, Closure, and Extension of Statutory Dispensations
(Marine Advisory 24/2025)
The Administration will issue dispensation letters valid only until the next port of call.
An extension for the minimum period required to rectify the deficiency, but not exceeding one (1) month, may only be granted if diligent attempts to rectify the deficiency/dispensation at that port have failed and the documentation under item a. of the Marine Advisory 24/2025 have been provided.
Whenever a vessel encounters a situation where the vessel does not fully comply with international or national laws or regulations; or an accident occurs to a vessel or a defect is discovered, either of which affects the safety of the vessel or the efficiency or completeness of its equipment, the owner/operator or the master/person in charge of the vessel shall report the non-compliance to the Administration at the earliest opportunity.
When circumstances prevent the immediate rectification of the non-compliance, the owner/operator of the vessel, or if applicable, the master/person in charge of the vessel, shall request issuance of a dispensation by the Administration.
Issuance
The Administration may issue a dispensation letter authorizing operation of the vessel until its first port of call. If the vessel is already in a port when the non-compliance is discovered, the owner/operator or the master/person in charge of the vessel must provide information on why the deficiency cannot be rectified at the vessel’s current port.
A copy of the dispensation will be provided to the vessel’s classification society for information and/or to instruct that a short-term statutory certificate should be issued. If the non-compliance also affects the validity of the certificate of class, the classification society may also impose additional requirements pending rectification of the non-compliance.
Closure
The owner /operator or the master/person in charge of the vessel is required to notify the Administration when the non-compliance is rectified and/or postponed surveys/inspections have been conducted to the effect that the vessel has regained full compliance with the applicable laws and/or regulations.
Dispensation letters are issued with one of the following specific requirements for closure:
Required inspection to close - Rectification of the deficiency or service of the item, as applicable, via a Liberian Nautical inspector’s report. If attendance by a flag State inspector has not already been scheduled for an inspection or audit at the time of closing, subject to prior agreement with the Administration, closure may be carried out by remote inspection.
Require survey by the classification society – For items that affect the vessel’s Safety Construction certificate and/or Class certificates, such as International Load Line Convention deficiencies; main propulsion machinery or auxiliary engine/generator deficiencies; steering gear; vessel hull and structural integrity; etc., a survey by a classification society surveyor will be required in order to close the dispensation.
May be administratively closed without inspection.
Upon receipt and review of the documentary evidence, the Administration will close the dispensation and issue correspondence stating that the vessel has regained compliance with the applicable laws and/or regulations. The vessel’s flag State records will be updated to show that the vessel is in compliance. A copy of the correspondence will be provided to the vessel’s classification society (i.e. Recognized Organization) informing the classification society that any related outstanding statutory recommendations or deficiencies that may have been imposed by the classification society should be closed and, if applicable, authorize the re issuance of the full-term statutory certificate. Based on the Administrations correspondence, the vessel’s class records will be updated to show that the vessel is in compliance.
(RCSM - September 2025)
Extension
The Company and vessel should strive to rectify the deficiency and close the dispensation at the next port of call. If diligent attempts to rectify the deficiency at that port have failed, the dispensation may be extended for the period required to rectify the deficiency, in all cases, not to exceed a period of one (1) month from the date of departure from that port.
(Marine Advisory 05/2023)
When it becomes necessary for a vessel to be issued a dispensation, the following minimum documentation and evidence is required to be submitted:
Details regarding the non-compliance;
Formal risk assessment;
Definitive corrective action plan with evidence of spare parts and/or service at next port; if unable to repair/service at that next port, evidence for consideration of issuance to a port where definitive repair/service can be arranged;
Vessel’s projected port schedule for the duration of the dispensation, if repairs can’t be made at next port.
For equipment requiring a survey by the vessel’s classification society, the Administration will also authorize the issuance of a short term statutory certificate.
For manning dispensations, the following minimum documentation and evidence is required to be submitted:
Vessel’s Current Crew List;
Formal Risk assessment;
DPA attestation that remaining crew are sufficient for safe operation;
Revised watch standing rotation ensuring adequate rest for all affected seafarers;
Corrective Action Plan detailing when and where the new joiner will embark;
Booking confirmation flight details for new joiner;
Vessels projected port schedule for the duration of the dispensation.
“To the satisfaction of the Administration” or “Requirements of the Administration” in IMO Instruments
(Marine Notice ADM-009)
Where the term ‘to the satisfaction of the Administration’ or ‘requirements of the Administration’ is used in IMO instruments, the Administration in such cases will apply the Unified Interpretations and Circulars adopted by IMO; and in their absence, will apply available Unified Interpretations, Requirements and Recommendations of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS); international standards adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); or other internationally recognized standards.
IACS Unified Interpretations (Uls) that have been submitted to IMO, as information documents or documents requesting to note the information on Uls, shall not be applied by Recognised Organisation (RO) with respect to the IMO convention regulations concerned, until advised in writing by the Administration.
IACS Unified Interpretations (Uls) that are approved by the IMO shall be applied unless indicated otherwise by the Administration.
With regard to IACS Unified Interpretations (UI’s), the link hereafter provides the latest list of UI’s that are not applied by the Administration and are not to be implemented for vessels being built that will register to the Liberian flag:
https://www.liscr.com/maritime/regulations-and-standards/iacs-ui-s-not-applied-by-liberia
If above guidance is not available, the Administration will contact Recognised Organisation (RO) for its recommendation.
In other cases not covered by the above, the Administration on a case-by-case basis will develop its own interpretation or recommendation through a Marine Notice, Marine Operations Note or Marine Advisory or other means as may be necessary.
Application of Non-Mandatory Instruments
(Marine Notice ADM-009)
In case a ship does not meet or is not capable of meeting the provisions in the non� mandatory instrument, Recognised Organisation (RO) should communicate to the Administration the level of compliance taking into consideration risk evaluation and/or ability to provide an equivalent level of safety/compliance through any alternative design and arrangement.
In case the Administration requires that a non-mandatory provision be made mandatory, it will communicate same to Recognised Organisation (RO) through publication of a document.
Technical requirements
See also Marine Notice INS-003 in Marine Notice INS-003 (03/26) - National safety requirements for miscellaneous and non-SOLAS vessels.
MODU surveys & inspections
(Email from the Administration dated 30/03/2017)
When a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit has been “warm-stacked” for several months, the Administration shall be notified when the Class and Statutory surveys are being conducted so that the Administration may conduct a flag inspection and work with the operator to ensure the rig is ready prior to request a COC from the USCG.
Application on Non-Mandatory IMO Resolutions
(RCSM 2021)
MSC, MEPC and Assembly Resolutions introduce amendments to IMO Conventions and Codes (mandatory) or provide guidelines as recommendations (non-mandatory).
For example:
Resolution MSC.421(98) provides mandatory amendments to SOLAS II-1 on subdivision and damage stability; and resolution MEPC.305(73) provides mandatory amendments top MARPOL Annex VI on prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil;
Resolutions MSC.418(97) on industrial personnel; MSC.465(101) on interim measures on safety of oil fuel; MEPC.307(73) on guidelines for the discharge of exhaust gas recirculation; resolution A.1048(27) on 2011 TDC Code are non-mandatory in nature.
The Administration requires all non-mandatory resolutions be applied as far as practicable. In case a ship does not meet the provisions in the resolution, Recognised Organisation (RO) should communicate to the Administration the level of compliance taking into consideration risk evaluation and/or ability to provide an equivalent level of safety/compliance through any alternative design and arrangement.
In case the Administration required that a non-mandatory resolution be made mandatory, the Administration would communicate same to Recognised Organisation (RO) in a publicly available document.
Use of Record and Log Books on board Ships
(Marine Advisory 29/2023)
The following record and logbooks shall be officially issued by the Administration in paper format; or as record book or log book in electronic format (electronic record book) approved by the Administration:
Oil Records Book Parts I and II;
Cargo Record Book – NLS;
Garbage Records Book Parts I and II;
Ballast Water Record Book; and
GMDSS Radio Log Book
Existing records and log books not officially issued by the Administration may continue to be used until onboard supplies of such versions are exhausted.
The Administration maintains a list of approved Electronic Record Books at:
https://www.liscr.com/list-approved-electronic-record-books-erbs
Pilot scheme for extended dry-dock intervals
(RSCM meeting 09/2011)
The Administration has issued the Liberian extended dry dock program, i.e pilot scheme for Extending Dry Docking (EDD) intervals (see the attached file “SchemeEDD”).
The information to be submitted to the Administration includes:
The questionnaire for extended dry-docking (see the attached file “QuestionnaireEDD”), completed by the shipowner.
A survey planning documentation agreed to by the RO and ship owner.
The vessel’s statutory and class history including ISM code audits and deficiencies, PSC control records, class survey reports and non-conformities relating to hull maintenance and the corrective actions.
The final survey report of findings and work undertaken including, if applicable, recording of representative CCTV images performed as part of the survey.
Statement from the RO recommending the vessel be entered in the EDD program, including RO recommendation as to whether the ship should be allowed to extend the interval between inspections of the vessel bottom in dry dock for 2.5 years, 5 years or 7.5 years from the date of this bottom survey, a statement as to whether all the applicable requirements for a dry-dock extension have been met, a statement regarding the rectification of any outstanding conditions of class.
(RCSM 2014)
If forwarded by Recognised Organisation (RO), request should include Recognised Organisation (RO) recommendation and comments. If submitted by owner, flag will inform Recognised Organisation (RO) of submission and request recommendation and comments when necessary.
If the vessel has CoCs due at the next drydocking, Recognised Organisation (RO) should provide comments regarding extension of the CoC to coincide with the vessel’s new extended drydock date. If submitted by owner, flag will inform Recognised Organisation (RO) of submission and request comments on any outstanding CoC, if necessary.
Recognised Organisation (RO) will notify flag of scheduling and completion of the second consecutive IWS and the 90 month dry-dock survey. This notification should include comments regarding the survey (i.e. completed with no deficiencies, completed with deficiencies/CoC, serious area of non-compliance found and rectified, etc.) The Administration may request a copy of the actual survey report and supporting data if such is not available on in Recognised Organisation (RO) database.The Administrations shall be notified of any EDD vessel that conducts a drydock survey prior to the 90 month due date.
Upon successful completion of the 90 month dry-dock survey, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide the Administration with a recommendation that the vessel be either continued in or removed from the EDD program.
(Technical Letter 2021-03 , RCSM 2021)
This technical letter provides guidance on the continuation of vessel in the EDD program:
after expiration of a vessel’s initial EDD enrollment
after a vessel reached 15 years of age
after a change of owners or management company
after registration of a vessel under the Liberian flag that was enrolled in the EDD program of its previous flag state
With respect to the enrollment of ships greater than 10 years of age in the EDD program. The Administration explained that the initial enrollment of a ship greater than ten years of age but less than 13 years of age would be considered on a case by case basis. Ships that had enrolled in the program prior to turning ten years of age would be allowed to complete the 7.5 year drydock survey period even if the next out of water bottom survey would occur after the ship turned 15. And ships whose initial EDD enrollment expires after the ship turns 10 but before the ship turns 13 years of age would be allowed to reenrolled in the EDD program.
Liberian Online Library
Refer to Liberia Online Library at https://www.liscr.com/onlinelibrary
Technical Letters
(TEC-011 see Marine Notice TEC-011 - Technical Letters)
The centralized point to current Technical Letters is accessible within the Liberia Online Library by selecting the “Maritime” category, then “Official Guidance” and finally “Technical Letters”.
IACS PR 17 report
(Technical Letter 2018-03 dated 24/08/2018, in attached file “Marine Tech Letter 3-2018- PR17.pdf”)
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall report all deficiencies possibly affecting the implementation of the ISM Code on board Liberian flagged vessels that are identified by their surveyors during a periodical (Annual/Intermediate/Special) Class Survey or occasional Class Survey, Statutory Surveys, additional surveys relevant to Port State Control, Flag State Inspections or any other occasion, a Report is to be completed by the surveyor.
The information may be reported as provided in PR 17 section 3
PR 17 reports issued by Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyor are automatically submitted to the Administration at: prevention@liscr.com and regsandstandards@liscr.com, with copy to moc.americas and the corresponding MO of the ship.
Port State Control
Occasional surveys must be performed when the vessel is already under survey prior to arrival or at time of arrival at ports under Paris and/or Tokyo MoU. Completed “Critical items checklist for Recognised Organisation (RO) classed ships entering ports of Paris MoU or Tokyo MoU” and photo reports must be submitted immediately to the MO upon survey completion, which will be sent to the Administration (Fleet Performance Department at PSCfollowup@liscr.com).
(Marine Notice PSC-001, which is displayed in Marine Notice PSC-001 - Measures to Improve Compliance and Minimize Risk of Port State Control Detentions)
From March 31st, 2023, in order to expedite the receipt of information about reports which include deficiencies noted during PSC Inspections, Recognised Organisation (RO) is to send all PSC inspection reports to the Fleet Performance Department, at PSCfollowup@liscr.com as soon as practicable, but no later than 48 hours after the PSC inspection.
(Marine Notice PSC-002, which is displayed in Marine Notice PSC-002 - Measures to Maintain the Quality of the Liberian Registry Fleet)
Every bulk carrier or container ship over 10 years old calling US ports could be subject to an additional inspection by a Liberian Flag Inspector at the last port before the first port to be called in the US.
If an inspection is required by the Administration at the first US port or the last foreign port and a Liberian inspector is not available, Recognised Organisation (RO) which is responsible for the issuance of the statutory certificates on behalf of Liberia must be contacted to carry out an occasional survey to verify that:
deficiencies found in the past 12 months during Port State and Flag State inspections have been fully rectified;
there are no overdue Conditions of Class or mandatory statutory surveys; and,
provisions listed on any active dispensations are being complied with.
(Administration letter dated 25/02/2025 in attached file “Liberia_Due Date Coordination and PSC Reporting_25FEB2025”)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is required to notify the Administration as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not the Vessel is detained, any attendance to clear the following PSC deficiency codes as a result of a PSC inspection:
15 – Rectify deficiencies by next port
17 – Rectify deficiencies prior to departure
30 – Ship detained
50 – Rectify deficiencies within 30 days
60 – Rectify prior to movement
The report shall be submitted upon completion of the attendance to prevention@liscr.com and dutyofficer@liscr.com.
(RCSM - September 2025)
No Condition of Class or short-term certificate shall be issued for ships under PSC detention or flag State operational control without authorization from the Administration.
Measures to maintain the quality of the Liberian registry fleet
(Administration letter FPM-001 Rev.2 dated 1st June 2026, in attached file “Letter FPM-001 Rev2 Liberia New Measures_1 June 2026”)
The Administration, upon completion of a preemptive inspection, may require attendance from Recognised Organisation (RO) that issued the statutory certificate related to a deficiency found by a Flag State Inspector. Additionally, if required, Recognised Organisation (RO) must complete an additional survey, to verify that all structure/equipment/machinery related to the Top Detainable Deficiencies identified by the Administration and Recognised Organisation (RO) are in good order.
Flag State Inspections
The Administration requires Recognised Organisation (RO) to record the deficiencies resulting from Flag State Inspections in the survey status of the vessel. For that purpose, in the Recognised Organisation (RO) system, within the ship status under “Condition of Class / Statutory Recommendations”, the corresponding findings are displayed as a “FSI Recommendations” and under “Planned Inspection Items” the findings are displayed under type “FSI – Rec”.
The rectification of the deficiencies must be verified during the next attendance and the itemized report shall be submitted directly to the FSI Follow Up department (FSIFollowUp@liscr.com). For that purpose, in the Recognised Organisation (RO) system, after the job validation an email notification, with the report attached, is sent to FSIFollowUp@liscr.com with copy to the MOC of the vessel.
At the time of the detention, in addition to the Administration’s Special Safety Inspection:
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall complete an additional survey, with the scope of an annual, for any statutory certificates related to the detainable deficiencies recorded on the inspection report (e.g. if the detainable deficiency is related to the malfunctioning of the emergency generator, then an annual Cargo Ship Safety Construction Survey must be carried out); survey to be expanded, if necessary,
additionally, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall complete a survey, to verify that all structure/equipment/machinery related to the Top 20 Detainable Deficiencies identified by the Administration and Recognised Organisation (RO) are in good order,
if an ISM related deficiency(ies) is (are) found on the inspection report, Recognised Organisation (RO) or the Administration may carry out an additional ISM audit with scope of an intermediate; audit scope to be expanded, if necessary.
As a follow-up to the detention, within 90 days after the detention:
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall complete an additional survey, with the scope of an annual, for any statutory certificates related to the detainable deficiencies recorded on the inspection report (e.g. if the detainable deficiency is related to the malfunctioning of the emergency generator, then an annual Cargo Ship Safety Construction Survey must be carried out); survey to be expanded, if necessary,
additionally, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall complete a survey to verify that all structure/equipment/machinery related to the Top 20 Detainable Deficiencies identified by the Administration and Recognised Organisation (RO) are in good order,
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall submit a report, directly to the FSI Follow Up department (FSIFollowUp@liscr.com):
listing the statutory annual surveys completed,
confirming that any deficiencies granted a grace period for rectification at the time of the detention have been rectified and
confirming that the deficiencies rectified at the time of the detention remain in good order.
if an additional audit is completed at the time of the detention as per the above third point, Recognised Organisation (RO) or the Administration may carry an additional Follow Up ISM audit.
Remote surveys for ships detained in Australia (AMSA)
(Marine Advisory 05/2024)
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will no longer accept any remote survey from an RO for a ship detained in Australia. Physical attendance of a Recognised Organisation (RO) Surveyor must be arranged whenever verification of the rectification of any deficiency on a vessel detained in Australia is required.
Change of class (IACS PR1A)
(Technical Letter 2025-01)
The Administration applies the procedures contained in IACS PR1A, Procedure for Transfer of Class, with the following exception:
For any ship irrespective of age, the gaining Society should issue an interim Certificate of Class only after the losing Society has completed all overdue surveys and closed all conditions of class.
In the case when a condition cannot be closed, the Administration is to be contacted with details of the condition, and the reasons why it can’t be completed at the time of change of class surveys and where/when it will be completed, in order to be authorized to postpone the condition.
LL 66
Loadline certificate
Multiple loadline
Refer to the Marine Notice TEC-004, which is displayed in Marine Notice TEC-004 - Multiple load lines assignment procedures, and Technical Letter 2021-05.
The Administration accepts the possibility of permanently using and carrying on board more than one loadline certificates for different deadweight values according to chartering commitments.
Recognised Organisation (RO) issues the appropriate International Load Line Certificate for each assignment. A copy of each full term certificate shall be forwarded by Recognised Organisation (RO) to Regsandstandards@liscr.com for issuance of the Load Line Alteration Book (LLAB) by the Administration.
Only one set of International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) or International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) certificates may be issued displaying the maximum deadweight for the vessel.However, where owners prefer statutory certificates to display additional deadweights, Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to issue multiple statutory certificates indicating the different deadweights without further authorization from the Administration. The statutory certificates in use must correspond with the Load Line Certificate that is displayed. All certificates not in use shall be placed in a sealed envelope and locked in the Master’s safe.
(Email from the Administration dated 21/01/2015)
The DWT listed on statutory certificates issued on behalf of the Liberian Administration should be the “primary” DWT.
(Email from the Administration dated 10/02/2021)
The Administration confirms that their policy on the alteration of loadlines does not require class attendance; hence a remote survey is not actually required. The changes can be verified at the first periodical survey by a class surveyor.
SOLAS 74
Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate
Stability and trim information
Refer to the Marine Notice TEC-003, which is displayed in Marine Notice TEC-003 - Stability and trim information to be supplied to the master.
The stability booklet shall be approved by the society which shall hold a copy thereof.
Provisions for ballast water exchange shall be included in the stability booklet.
Computer loading instrument for tankers with damage stability calculation capability
When Recognised Organisation (RO) is approached by a shipowner requesting a waiver, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall review the request, and if decided a waiver may be justified, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall forward the request to the Administration with justification as to which one of the 4 waiver options could be applied.
Omission of inclining test for sister vessels
(Technical Letter 2023-01)
The Administration authorizes Recognised Organisation (RO) to dispense with an inclining test without contacting the Administration, provided the deviation of the lightship displacement and lightship longitudinal centre of gravity as determined by a lightweight survey of a ship does not exceed the values for the sister ship noted in the SOLAS Regulation II-1/5.2.
Enhanced surveys - Dry dock examination
(Message of 26 February 1996)
The 1994 Amendments to SOLAS, Chapter XI, Regulation 2, requiring enhanced surveys to be conducted on all tankers and bulk carriers, came into force on 1 January 1996. The enhanced survey requires that the underwater bodies of tankers and bulk carriers be examined on dry-dock twice in five years at intervals not exceeding 36 months. Full dry-docking surveys must be carried out to be creditable and one of these surveys must be done at the time of the renewal of the Safety Construction Certificate.
However, for ships up to 15-year old, consideration will be given to requests for alternate afloat examinations by divers only with the agreement of the society, provided that the underwater body examination is done strictly in accordance with the society requirements and by qualified divers. The alternative underwater examination by diver will not be approved consecutively. For renewal of the Safety Construction Certificate, the ship must be examined on dry-dock.
Bulk carriers and tankers exceeding the above age limit must be examined on dry-dock twice in five years. Alternative means for underwater body examination or for acceptance of dry-dockings done earlier than required will only be considered under special circumstances and with the concurrence of the society.
Safe access to tanker bows (SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-3)
(CSCC, October 1997)
The Administration’s position on items relevant to tankers built before 1 July 1998 is as follows:
Achieving an equivalent level of safety
Upon closer review of MSC.57(67), Regulation 3-3, paragraph 2, requires that tankers constructed before 1 July 1998 must provide a means of safe access to the tanker’s bow (if not already provided) at the first dry-docking after 1 July 1998, but not later than 1 July 2001. Such means of access shall be approved by the Administration based on Resolution MSC.62(67) “guidelines for safe access to tanker bows”. In addition, MSC.62(67) provides that arrangements already approved by the Administration for tankers constructed before 1 July 1998 may be accepted, provided that such existing arrangements achieve the equivalent level of safety sought for access to the bow.
Gangways
With regard to the minimum width of the gangways, the Administration would consider those ships with gangways constructed to 600 mm in width in compliance with IACS LL50 to be acceptable arrangements. However, for those ships constructed before 1 July 1998 for which no arrangements have yet been provided or are not in compliance with IACS LL50 requirements, retrofit at the first dry-docking after 1 July 1998, but not later than 1 July 2001 must take place in accordance with MSC.62(67).
The Administration may accept alternative or modified arrangements for tankers with space constraints, such as small tankers, or tankers with large freeboards, such as gas carriers, provided that such alternative or modified arrangements achieve the equivalent level of safety (as recommended in the guidelines) for access to the bow. However, in the case of tankers the keels of which are laid on or after 1 July 1998, application of the 1m minimum width seemingly should not be a problem.
Guardrails
The Administration interprets the subject guidelines as requiring the guardrails to be of rigid construction, as do other rules regarding the construction of guardrails, to protect the crew. Special consideration may be given for tankers with space constraints, such as small tankers, or tankers with a large freeboard, such as gas carriers (where it may be unreasonable or impracticable to install a rigid guardrail), provided the alternative or modified arrangement achieves an equivalent level of safe access to the bow.
Additionally, arrangements on tankers constructed before 1 July 1998 may be evaluated on a case by case basis, provided such existing arrangements also achieve an equivalent level of safe access to the bow.
Initial testing of watertight bulkheads
The Administration accepted equivalent arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Regulations I/5 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention (as amended) with regard to the initial testing of watertight bulkheads.
LMA has concluded that alternative provisions may be used in lieu of the requirements in SOLAS Regulation II-1/11.2 and 11.3, subject to the following conditions:
For the First ship in the series of sister ships constructed to the same plans and at the same shipyard location, the tank test (tightness and structural) should be carried out according to SOLAS II-1 / Regulation 11 satisfactorily without deformation and leakage. That is the bulkheads of all tanks subject to SOLAS II-1/11.2 and 11.3 should be tested with water to the head corresponding to its design pressure. Upon completion, the report shall be provided to the Administration.
The alternate provisions in Annex 7 of SDC 2/INF.8 (see the attached file “Annex7SDC2-INF.8”) may be applied to the sister ships in this series. That is one tank on a group of tanks with structural similarity may be subjected to structural test for sister ships.
All the weld seams of water tight bulkheads for cargo holds shall be visually examined carefully, and supported by NDE (e.g. PT or UT) as deemed necessary.
All the weld seams of the tanks falling under the scope of Regulation 11 of SOLAS II-1 shall be visually examined carefully, and supported by NDE (e.g. PT or UT) as deemed necessary.
Watertight spaces such as void spaces and cofferdams that are not intended to hold liquids need not be tested for water-tightness and strength. For such spaces an air test or hose test is sufficient.
The shipyard has an ISO 9001-2008 system, which includes the management of tank testing carried out in this shipyard.
The Administration shall be notified for every group of ships subjected to this application of SOLAS II-1/11.
For further information, refer to the letter from the Administration dated 9 August 2015 and revised on 18 July 2018, in the attached file “InitialTestingOfWatertightBulkheads_RevJuly2018”.
Screw-down valve at collision bulkhead
The Administration accepted equivalent arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Regulations I/5 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention (as amended) with regard to the requirements for screw-down valve at the penetration of the collision bulkhead.
Vessels may in lieu of complying with the requirements in Regulation II-1/12.5.1 comply with the following:
Install an approved remotely operated butterfly valves in lieu of screw down valves in way of the collision bulkhead.
The conditions in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) submission SLF 51/3/4 are followed, including but not limited to the prevention of progressive flooding.
Material to be of cast steel or nodular cast iron.
IACS member class product certificate as shipside valve to be available.
Valve to be flange type or full-lugged type.
Hydraulically tested to at least 5 bars.
Hydraulic actuator capable of keeping the disc position during system failure.
Guidelines should be provided to the ship to open the collision bulkhead butterfly valve prior to starting ballasting operations, without which, damage to valve disc is possible.
The Administration considers this arrangement as providing an equivalent level of safety to that required under SOLAS II-1/12.5.1, as amended by resolution MSC.194(80).
For further information, refer to the letter from the Administration dated 12 June 2015 in the attached file “EquivalentArrangementForCollisionBulkheadScrew-downValve”.
Isolating valves from fuel systems (SOLAS reg. II-2/4.2.2.5.5)
The mandatory application of the guidelines in the Circular MSC.1/Circ.1321 in connection with SOLAS reg. II-2/4.2.2.5.5 has been made retroactive to all Liberian flagged vessels whose keel was laid on or after 1 July 2009.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to provide a report to the Administration for each ship to which regulation in SOLAS II-2/4.2.5.5 applies to confirm compliance with the said Circular by the next scheduled dry-docking at the latest and to contact them for acceptance of alternative means in case the "5 m distance" or "obstruction" is not practicable.
Location of collision bulkhead valve (SOLAS II-1/12.5.1)
The Administration may authorize the fitting of the collision bulkhead valve on the after side of the collision bulkhead provided that the valve is readily accessible under all service conditions and the space in which it is located is not a cargo space.
Since the location of the valve allowed for in the latter part of SOLAS II-1/12.5.1 is an alternative to the location of the valve required by first part of SOLAS II-1/12.5.1 (which is to be capable of being operated from above the bulkhead deck), the Administration considers the following arrangement of the valve location to be an equivalent arrangement:
The valve is fitted just aft of the collision bulkhead and located inside the ballast water tank;
The valve can be operated by means of a fixed hydraulic hand pump in a protected location on deck;
The valve can also be operated remotely from the cargo control or engine control room;
The control of the valve is readily accessible under all service conditions.
Additionally, the Administration has also taken into account the requirement for bulk carriers in SOLAS XII/13.1 when specifying the location of the remote control and the permanently attached hand pump.
13.1 On bulk carriers, the means for draining and pumping ballast tanks forward of the collision bulkhead and bilges of dry spaces any part of which extends forward of the foremost cargo hold shall be capable of being brought into operation from a readily accessible enclosed space, the location of which is accessible from the navigation bridge or propulsion machinery control position without traversing exposed freeboard or superstructure decks. Where pipes serving such tanks or bilges pierce the collision bulkhead, valve operation by means of remotely operated actuators may be accepted, as an alternative to the valve control specified in regulation II-1/12, provided that the location of such valve controls complies with this regulation.
The Administration considers this arrangement as providing an equivalent level of safety to that required under SOLAS II-1/12.5.1, as amended by resolution MSC.194 (80).
For further information, refer to attached file “Collision bulkhead valve location - equivalent arrangement” which is published on IMO GISIS website Exemptions & Equivalents under reference XQ44490.
Using A-60 insulation between emergency generator and engine casing
(Technical Letter 2021-04)
In lieu of providing, as far as practicable, a non-contiguous boundary as per SOLAS II-1/42.1.3 or II- 1/43.1.3, the Administration will accept a contiguous shared boundary (with no penetrations or cable attachment) of steel or equivalent material provided with A-60 insulation on the face of the boundary facing the space "a" described below and extending 450mm beyond the area of contiguity shared by the following two spaces:
the space containing the emergency source of electrical power, associated transforming equipment, the transitional source of emergency electrical power, and the emergency switchboard; and,
the machinery spaces of category A or those spaces containing the main source of electrical power, associated transforming equipment, or the main switchboard.
Provided the A-60 insulation is “extending 450mm beyond the area of contiguity shared by the…two spaces”, this arrangement would be acceptable.
Extension of Intermediate and Renewal Surveys (Dry-dock non-availability)
(Marine Advisory 07/2023)
SOLAS amendments to Chapter XI-1 allows for Safety Construction Intermediate Survey to be carried out and completed anytime within the second or third annual survey or between these surveys, effectively providing an 18 month window to complete this survey.
The regulation also allows for Safety Construction Renewal Survey to be commenced at the fourth annual survey and progressed during the succeeding year with a view to completion by the fifth anniversary date, effectively providing a 15 month window to complete this survey.
And as a survey of the ship’s bottom is part of the Intermediate and Renewal Surveys, the bottom survey (in-water or in dry-dock) can be carried out anytime within these windows. It only needs to be ensured that there are a minimum of two bottom surveys during the five-year period of the Safety Construction certificate, and in all cases, that the maximum interval between bottom surveys is not to exceed 36 months.
The use of these windows to carry out the necessary surveys, including a ship’s bottom survey, should eliminate the need for any extension of these surveys, and eliminate the possibility of a vessel be detained by a port state. Recognised Organisation (RO) should be contacted for proper planning and endorsement of the certificate.
(Marine Advisory 28/2022 Rev.1)
If, after due diligence has been demonstrated that all attempts to complete surveys by their due dates have been made, but due to exceptional circumstances they cannot, the Administration will consider extending the surveys. The extension period will be for the minimum time necessary to complete the surveys and will not exceed one (1) month.
Recognised Organisation (RO) should be contacted about its requirements for the extension, which along with its recommendation for the extension of statutory renewal surveys and dry docking and the information listed below are to be forwarded by Recognised Organisation (RO) to the Administration:
Current Survey Status;
Three (3) authentic shipyard letters indicating non-availability of dry-docking space (refer to appendix 1 to Marine Advisory 28/2022);
Firm dry-dock availability letter;
Any outstanding conditions.
To support the above request for extension, the document “Recognised Organisation (RO) classed vessels Survey Extension Form” is to be duly filled and sent by the MOC to the Administration.
Prior to approaching the Administration for authorization of extension, the following is to be carried out:
Commencement of all renewal surveys, and IWS if required.
Completion of all surveys that can be completed in-water and progression of all surveys that require to be completed in dry-dock to maximum extent practicable.
Thickness measurements and close-up surveys as relevant to ship type as far as practicable.
Upon satisfactory review, the Administration may authorize Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue a short term Safety Construction certificate after progressing the renewal survey to the Maximum Extent Practicable. All other statutory renewal surveys shall be completed by its due date.
(Technical Letter 2022-01)
In order to ensure consistent issuance of short term statutory certificates on behalf of the Liberian Administration when the renewal surveys are progressed to the Maximum Extent Practicable, the following instructions are to be followed:
Short term certificates, issued after progressing the renewal surveys to the Maximum Extent Practicable, are to indicate the completion date of this survey as the “Completion date of the survey on which this certificates is based”.
The completion date of the last Renewal Survey is not to be indicated as this date.
Copies of short term statutory certificates are to be e-mailed as soon as issued to:
(RCSM - September 2025)
Explicit authorization from the Administration is required before issuing a short term statutory certificate extending renewal surveys.
The Administration must have reviewed the survey report and issued an authorization to issue relevant short term certificates, extending the renewal survey date.
The Administration is to be consulted before agreeing to 3 months extension of renewal surveys.
(RCSM dated 11/04/2023)
For requests received one month or more before due date, it will require all Renewal Surveys to be completed, except Safety Construction to be progressed to the Maximum Extent Practicable prior due date:
Further consideration for extension up to dry-dock availability date subject to review of survey reports.
For requests received less than one month before due date, occasional surveys carried out, short term certificates issued for one month from due date:
During this period, all Renewal Surveys shall be completed, except Safety Construction shall be progressed to the Maximum Extent Practicable, for consideration of any further extension;
The Administration will review vessel’s port rotation and due risk-assessment, and may require ship to deviate to a port to complete surveys.
Location of the Means of Embarkation and Disembarkation
(Technical Letter 2024-01)
Regulation 3-9.2 of SOLAS Chapter II-1 requires that, “The means of embarkation and disembarkation required in paragraph 1 shall be constructed and installed based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.”
These guidelines are contained in MSC.1/Circ.1331, Paragraph 3.1, and state, “As far as practicable, the means of embarkation and disembarkation should be sited clear of the working area and should not be placed where cargo or other suspended loads may pass overhead.”
Where it is not possible to site the means of embarkation and disembarkation clear of the working area or locations where cargo or other suspended solids pass overhead, the Administration accepts the posting of warning notices and access to the means of embarkation and disembarkation shall be supervised and the control measures implemented as part of a vessel's Safety Management System.
Emergency escape from machinery spaces of category A
(Marine Advisory 08/2025/Rev.1)
Regulation 13.4.2.1 for cargo ships (13.4.1.1 for passenger ships) of SOLAS Chapter II-2 requires, for escape from machinery spaces of category A (engine room), “two sets of steel ladders, as widely separated as possible, leading to doors in the upper part of the space… One of these ladders shall be located within a protected enclosure [escape trunk] that satisfies regulation 9.2.3.3, category (4), from the lower part of the space it serves to a safe position outside the space”.
Vessels contracted for construction on or after 1st March 2025, or in the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid, or which is at a similar stage of construction, on or after 1st March 2025
Until further notice, the phrase, “the lower part of the space” is to be regarded as the lowest deck level in the engine room, and the escape trunk shall extend to this lowest deck level.
Vessels contracted for construction on or after 1st February 2016, and not coming under above item a)
For existing vessels with escape trunks that do not extend to the lowest deck level in the engine room, the Administration will accept existing arrangements, subject to the following:
Necessary amendments to the drill plans for rescue of a person from the bottom of the machinery space into the escape trunk have been made to include the use of stretcher or trolley or other means for the emergency recovery of the person located close to the emergency escape trunk. The person being rescued should be provided with an EEBD during evacuation. These are to be included in vessels SMS.
Crew training according to the amended procedures is documented.
Regular rescue drills ascending the stairs with an injured person in stretcher or trolley or other means, from the lowest platform of the machinery space up to inside the escape trunk to be carried out and recorded in the vessel’s logbook.
The Recognised Organisation (RO)’s technical justification statement is to be available on board. The technical justification is only applicable to the escape trunk which cannot be extended to the lowest deck level due to restrictions from the ship's hull lines, structure, shafting and the escape trunk cannot be located somewhere else so that it can be extended to the lowest deck level.
The above requirements will be applied for new ships on a case-by-case basis.
Vessels contracted for construction before 1st February 2016
The Administration accepts the existing arrangements for existing vessels constructed before 1st February 2016 with escape trunks that do not extend to the lowest deck level in the engine room, subject to above b) items 1, 2 and 3 for existing vessels constructed on or after 1st February 2016.
Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches (SOLAS II-1/3-13)
(Marine Notice SAF-020, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-020 - SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 on Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to carry out plan review, surveys/examination, commissioning and issuance/endorsement of relevant certificates for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches (see Annex I to the Agreement).
Standards acceptable to the Administration
For lifting appliances, loose gear and anchor handling winches, the Administration accepts the Recognised Organisation (RO) rules for the design, construction, installation (commissioning test), applicable test loads for open-sea operations, taking into account the applicable dynamic loads, annual and five-yearly operational tests.
Thorough examination
The Administration considers that following is required, as a minimum to satisfy to meet the requirements of the thorough examination:
A systematic and detailed visual examination by a competent person acceptable to Recognised Organisation (RO), and supplemented by other suitable means such as function testing, wear measurements, non-destructive tests carried out carefully to determine that there are no unacceptable defects, fractures, excessive corrosion, unacceptable wear or deformation, in accordance with the applicable standards and recommendations, and arrive at a reliable conclusion as to the safety of the examined lifting appliances, anchor handling winch and loose gear.
For this purpose, the component parts of the lifting appliance, anchor handling winch or loose gear is to be dismantled if the competent person deems it necessary.
Lifting appliances with SWL less than 1,000 kg
With regard to lifting appliances with a safe working load below 1,000 kg installed on or after 1 January 2026, these shall be load tested and thoroughly examined by the manufacturer, shipbuilder or commissioning contractor after installation onboard and provided with a certificate of test.
For all lifting appliances with a safe working load below 1,000 kg (whatever the installation date), shipowners and operators should assess their usage and associated risks, and incorporate procedures for inspection, maintenance, and training/familiarization into the shipboard Safety Management System (SMS).
Records of Inspection, Maintenance, Testing and Thorough Examination
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue the ‘Certificate of Test and Thorough Examination of Lifting Appliances’ for a period not exceeding five (5) years from the date of load testing in the format specified in Annex I of the Marine Notice SAF-020, after successful completion of load testing and thorough examination.
Existing lifting appliances with valid certificates under the ILO C.152 and issued prior to 1 January 2026 will be considered compliant with SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13.2.4 (paragraph 3.3.3 of MSC.1/Circ.1662) until they expire, after which Recognised Organisation (RO) will issue the Certificate referred to above.
For existing lifting appliances installed before 1 January 2026 without valid certificates of the test and thorough examination issued under ILO C.152, Recognised Organisation (RO) may issue the ‘Factual Statement’ for a period not exceeding five (5) years from the date of load testing in the format specified in Annex III of the Marine Notice SAF-020, after successful completion of load testing and thorough examination.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue the ‘Certificate of Test and Thorough Examination of Loose Gear’ in the format specified in Annex II of the Marine Notice SAF-020, after verifying documentary evidence of proof test and carrying out a thorough examination.
A record of thorough examination and load testing shall be maintained in a register of lifting appliances officially issued by the Administration and be available on board. The Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyor must duly endorse this Liberian register.
Vessels maintaining a register of lifting appliances in the format prescribed under the ILO Convention concerning Occupational Safety and Health in Dock Work (N0.152), 1979 (ILO C.152) prior to 1 January 2026, may continue to use the register until the pages are exhausted or until the compliance date in accordance with paragraph 2.4 of SOLAS II-1/3-13, whichever is earlier.
Records of the routine inspection and maintenance of lifting appliances or their components or parts should be maintained and kept on board. The records and particulars of inspection and maintenance may be documented in any convenient form, provided each entry contains the necessary information, is clearly legible and is authenticated by a responsible person. Any recommendations of the manufacturer for such inspection and maintenance records should be used.
Inoperative lifting appliances, anchor handling winches and loose gear
Lifting appliances, loose gear or anchor handling winches found unsafe for operation after a thorough examination by a competent person should be taken out of service and clearly marked ‘not to be used” and status recorded in the register of lifting appliances.
While all reasonable steps shall be taken to maintain lifting appliances, anchor handling winches and loose gear in working order, malfunctions of that equipment shall not be assumed as making the ship unseaworthy or as a reason for delaying the ship in ports, provided that action has been taken by the master to take the inoperative lifting appliance or anchor handling winch into account in planning and executing a safe voyage. Any such malfunctions should be reported to the Administration and authorized RO that issued the relevant certificate.
Management of Asbestos and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)
(Marine Notice SAF-018, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-018 - Management of Asbestos and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS))
This Notice provides guidance to vessel owners, operators and managers, and to recognized organizations (RO’s), on how to deal with asbestos on board all ships, including Mobile Offshore Units (MOU’s), that are in service, under repair/modification/conversion and alteration.
Guidance is also provided on the prohibition of the use or storage of extinguishing media containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) on new vessels and the requirement to remove PFOS on existing vessels.
Protection of fuel oil tanks and designation of fore peak spaces (IACS UI SC211)
(Administration email dated 14/04//2026)
As IACS is considering to provide further clarification of UI SC211 Rev.1, the Administration is agreeable to the application of the entire IACS UI pending receipt of IACS’ clarification.
Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
Fire control plans
(SOLAS 74 Regulation II-2/20)
SOLAS Regulation 4 requires that fire control plans be permanently exhibited on all new and existing ships. Certain alternatives are provided in the Regulation. For Liberian ships, the fire control plans or booklets shall be supplied in the English language and also in a language understood by the ship officers if this is not English.
Plans required under Chapter II-2 Regulation 20.2 shall be placed in sealed plastic cover contained in a metal container painted red and marked “fire control plans”, and kept in a prominent position adjacent to the gangway when in port, at anchor, or alongside. If permanently fixed, the container must be available to all gangway positions.
Fixed fire-extinguishing systems in cargo spaces - Exemptions (SOLAS 1974 Regulation II-2/53)
(Message of 12 August 1998 , Technical Letter 2021-05)
The Administration authorizes Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue a five (5) months interim Exemption certificates exempting vessels from fitting a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system for cargo holds, in accordance with SOLAS Chapter II-2, regulation 10. 7.1.4.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is requested to forward a copy of five (5) months interim Exemption certificate issued, along with the full term Safety Equipment certificate to RegsandStandards@liscr.com for issuance of the full term Exemption certificate by the Administration.
The Administration authorises the carriage of cargoes shown in the list of non-combustible / low fire risk cargoes attached to MSC/Circ.671 (22/12/94). The carriage of any other cargo will be considered on a case by case basis. Owners shall submit detailed documentation to the Administration through the society.
Dedicated wood ship carriers are considered by the Administration to be carrying unseasoned timber and as such may be exempted from the requirement to be fitted with a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system or a fire-extinguishing system which gives equivalent protection.
Emergency fire pump
The Administration considers the below arrangement as providing an equivalent level of safety to that required under SOLAS II-2/10.2.1.4.1:
a high bilge level alarm shall be fitted in the space containing emergency fire pump, as well as in the machinery space;
the sea inlet valve is “locked open” and the locking arrangement is to be under the control of responsible ship’s officer;
a “Caution Plate” is posted near the control of the sea chest valve, indicating the proper position (open), and to ensure immediate availability of water supply to the fire main when starting the emergency fire pump. The ship’s officer responsible for the key and the locked valve is clearly indicated in the “Caution Plate”.
For further information, refer to the letter from the Administration dated 21 July 2015 in the attached file “EquivalentArrangementForRemoteOperationOfEmergencyFirePumpSeachestValve”.
Maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances
Refer to the Marine Notice FIR-001, which is displayed in Marine Notice FIR-001 - Maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances.
Fixed CO2 fire fighting systems
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 2.
Halon system
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 3.
Fixed foam system
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 4.
Fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 5.
Portable fire extinguishers
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 6.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 7.
Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs)
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 8.
Portable Radios for Fire Fighting Parties
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 9.
Records of the inspections
Refer to FIR-001, paragraph 10.
Emergency escape breathing devices
Refer to Technical Letter 2017-01 in attached file “TechLtr 2017-01 EEBDs”.
Enclosed space entry and rescue drills
An onboard means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders used during drills shall be provided or a suitable number of spare cylinders shall be carried on board to replace those used during drills. These are in addition to those required under Regulation 10.10 of SOLAS chapter II-2.
When deciding the number of spare cylinders to be provided for on board drills, the company should consider the requirements in the Safety Management System (SMS) for the number / frequency of drills where breathing apparatus cylinders may be used, and the nature of the vessels trading pattern with respect to shore based charging facilities.
Cylinders intended for drills should be prominently marked to indicate their intended use.
The SMS shall take account that at least two fully charged spare cylinder for drills must be on board.
For further information, refer to the Marine Notice SAF-003, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-003 - Procedures for entering enclosed spaces and enclosed space entry and rescue drills.
Paint and flammable liquid lockers
(SOLAS 74 Regulation II-2/10.6.3)
The following categories of ships are considered:
Existing vessels with keels laid, or at a similar stage of construction, before 1 February 1992,
Existing vessels with keels laid, or at a similar stage of construction, on or after 1 February 1992 and before 1 February 1998,
Existing vessels with keels laid, or at a similar stage of construction, on or after 1 February 1998 but before 1 July 2002.
New vessels with keels laid, or at a similar stage of construction, on or after 1 July 2002
Applicable requirements are specified by Marine Notice FIR-002, content of which is shown in Marine Notice FIR-002 - Fire extinguishing requirements for paint and flamable liquid lockers.
Life-saving equipment
Certification
Refer to paragraph 1 of SAF-001, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-001 - Lifesaving Appliances, and Fire and Other Safety Equipment and Materials.
(RSCM meeting 09/2008)
Non-manufacturer certified third party facilities should only be used if a manufacturer’s certified facility is not available. In such a case, the attending surveyors, where possible, makes sure and confirms that a manufacturer’s certified facility is not available.
Periodic servicing of LSA (SOLAS III/20.11)
(RO meeting 2007 point 11.d)
It is the Administration’s understanding that:
The dynamic winch brake tests also apply to life raft and rescue boat launching appliances.
The requirements for maintenance, servicing, and testing of on-load release gear also apply to rescue boat on-load release gears and also include free-fall lifeboat release systems.
Liferafts
Side to side transferable liferafts shall be less than 185 kg.
Extended service interval for inflatable liferafts
The Administration accepted equivalent arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Regulations I/5, III/4 and III/20.8.3 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention (as amended) and MSC.1/Circ.1328 (“Guidelines for the approval of inflatable liferafts subject to extended service intervals not exceeding 30 months”) with regard to service interval of SURVITEC inflatable liferafts.
The conditions under which extended service intervals have been accepted are:
Servicing will be carried out at 30 month maximum intervals, for the first 10 years of the rafts service lives, and thereafter at the frequency required by SOLAS Regulation 8.1.1.
Servicing shall only be carried out at servicing stations that have been authorized and appointed for this purpose by the manufacturer.
As long as the hermetic seal has not been compromised, the 30 month service intervals will apply over the first ten years of life of the raft. Hermetic seal verification must be performed at maximum intervals of 12 months from the date of last service. This may be done on board with ship by a person certified for such purpose by Survitec Group.
On loss of hermetic seal for any reason within the first 12 months of its life, a raft will be serviced and repacked within or before month 12 or 30 months from previous repacking if sooner. On loss of hermetic seal for any reason after month 12 a raft will be serviced and repacked within 3 months or 30 months from previous repacking if sooner.
The life raft on board maintenance, monitoring, and inspection shall be in accordance with the conditions specified in the following EC Type Examination (Module B) Certificate as applicable:
a. MED 1250191 dated 4 October 2012
b. MED 1250190 dated 4 October 2012
c. MED 1250183 dated 1 October 2012
d. MED 1250185 dated 1 October 2012
In addition to other required marks, the outer containers of specially packed S30 liferafts within the extended servicing scheme shall carry the following label:
1. This liferaft is permitted for extended service intervals of 30 months at an approved station.
2. The liferaft must be inspected on board by a person certified for such purpose by SURVITEC Group Ltd. at intervals not exceeding 30 months.
For further information, refer to the letter from the Administration dated 20 July 2015 in the attached file “ExtendedServiceIntervalForSURVITECinflatableLiferafts”.
The Administration accepted equivalent arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Regulations I/5, III/4 and III/20.8.3 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention (as amended) and MSC.1/Circ.1328 (“Guidelines for the approval of inflatable liferafts subject to extended service intervals not exceeding 30 months”) with regard to service interval of VIKING inflatable liferafts.
The conditions under which extended service intervals have been accepted are:
Servicing will be carried out at 30 month maximum intervals, only at servicing stations that have been authorized and appointed for this purpose by Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S.
As long as the hermetic seal has not been compromised, the 30 month service intervals will apply over the life of the product. Hermetic seal verification must be performed at maximum intervals of 12 months from the date of last service. This may be done on board with ship by certified personel.
Liferafts which are specially packed shall be repacked at each service using new packaging materials within the GRP outer container.
On loss of hermetic seal for any reason within the first 12 months of its life, a raft will be serviced and repacked within or before month 12 or 30 months from previous repacking if sooner. On loss of hermetic seal for any reason after month 12 a raft will be serviced and repacked within 3 months or 30 months from previous repacking if sooner.
All servicing tests prescribed in Resolution A.701(18) as revised by Resolution MSC.388(94) which would have been carried out during the period of the extended service interval will be carried out by the service station at the next service after the nominal ‘due date’ of that test.
Monitoring on board is to be done by certified personnel and they will check the humidity based on a computer program that checks the humidity levels and any CO2 leakages. All readings are recorded on the computer. A label, with the date and the liferaft serial number is then printed and placed on the individual liferaft certificate on board the ship, as documented evidence for record and inspection purposes.
Passenger ships equipped with liferafts specially packed as above will comply with SOLAS regulation III/19.4.3 by carrying on board, or having ready access to a conventionally packed training liferaft of similar type and means of operation, or by carrying a visual training aid which can simulate inflation and davit launching of such liferafts.
In addition to other required marks, the outer containers of specially packed S30 liferafts within the extended servicing scheme shall carry the following label:
1. This liferaft is permitted for extended service intervals of 30 months at an approved station.
2. The liferaft must be inspected on board by a person certified for such purpose by Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/S at intervals not exceeding 30 months.
For further information, refer to the letter from the Administration dated 20 July 2015 in the attached file “ExtendedServiceIntervalForVIKINGinflatableLiferafts”.
On-load release and retrieval system
As of 1st July 2013, RO surveyors are to verify the compliance status of the on-load Release and Retrieval System (RRS), during the first safety equipment survey on or after 1st July 2013.
Lifeboat hooks listed in IMO GISIS hook evaluation database as compliant are acceptable to the Administration as compliant hooks.
Ships with non-compliant systems or systems that require modification to become compliant shall be required to install FPDs until the system is either replaced or modified as applicable. If no FPD is installed at the time of survey, the vessel shall be issued a short term Safety Equipment Certificate valid for up to 90 days pending installation of the FPD. Once the FPD has been installed the vessel may be re-issued with its full term Safety Equipment Certificate.
The overhaul survey should be conducted as part of a normal annual / periodic survey.
(Email from the Administration dated 20/09/2013)
The Marine Notice SAF-005, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-005 - Lifeboat and survival craft, servicing and maintenance, contains the requirement that all vessels (ships and MODUs) be fitted with LSA code compliant hooks.
(Email from the Administration dated 24/03/2015)
When there is no answer from the lifeboat manufacturer, an alternative lifeboat release and retrieval system is acceptable for installation on board a Liberian flagged vessel if the subject replacement hooks has been determined by an IACS Member class society to be in compliance with MSC/Circ.1392.
5 knots installation test of replacement Lifeboat RRS (LRRS)
The Administration accepted an equivalent arrangement in accordance with the provisions of Regulations I/5, III/4 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention (as amended) with regard to 5 knots installation test of replacement LRRS in accordance with the revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)), part 2, paragraph 5.4.
The Liberia Maritime Authority will consider an equivalent test in which another boat is simulating the 5 knots on the fully equipped lifeboat. This second boat should be providing enough thrust in an astern direction so as to simulate a strain similar in force and direction as would be imparted on the LRRS if the ship were making 5 knots ahead when the fully equipped lifeboat is launched. This equivalent test must be conducted in the presence of an attending surveyor. If the attending surveyor is satisfied that the test is designed and conducted so as to accurately and sufficiently simulate and demonstrate that the lifeboat can be safely launched from the launching position of the vessel while traveling at an ahead speed of 5 knots then the Liberia Maritime Authority will accept the test as meeting the requirements of MSC.1/Circ.1392, paragraph 24.3.
The Liberia Maritime Authority will also consider a reduced post-installation test as required by paragraph 24 of MSC.1/Circ.1392 and agrees to waive the 5 knots installation test only, required under paragraph 24.3 and resolution MSC.81(70), part 2, paragraph 5.4, for sister ships after taking into account the following:
The complete post-installation test required under paragraph 24 of MSC.1/Circ.1392 was successfully completed for the first ship in the series;
The remaining sister ships in the series are built to the same ship and lines plans, with identical geometric arrangement of the life boats and launching arrangements and replacement LRRS;
The replacement of the LRRS on sister ships are carried out by the Manufacturer of the LRRS or the Manufacturer Certified Service Provider for that make and model of the LRRS and authorized by their Administration.
The Acceptance Documents upon completion of installation and testing shall be submitted to the Administration.
For further information, refer to the letter from the Administration dated 20 July 2015 in the attached file “EquivalentArrangementFor5knotsInstallationTestOfReplacementLRRS”.
Rescue boats
The handling of light rescue boats, served by a crane which has to be slewed manually in the outboard position for lowering the boat into the water by gravity, is considered an equivalent arrangement to the required stored mechanical power that is required by section 6.1.1.3 of the LSA code.
On ships equipped with a six (6) persons rescue boat which is not one of the ship’s survival craft having a weight of less than 615 kg in fully equipped condition, with engine but without the crew, the launching appliance of crane does not need to be fitted with stored mechanical power. Slewing of launching appliance shall be possible by one person against an adverse list of 20 degrees and a trim of 10 degrees.
The force on the crank handle shall not exceed 160N at the maximum crank radius of 350 mm. For the other aspects the launching appliance shall be in full compliance with sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 of LSA code.
For further information, refer to the letter from the Administration to the IMO dated 9 February 2015 in the attached file “EquivalentArrangementForRescueBoatSlewing”.
Immersion suits and thermal protective aids
Refer to SAF-007 displayed in Marine Notice SAF-007 - Lifesaving Equipment - Immersion Suits and Thermal Protective Aids.
(Technical Letter 2021-05)
The Administration authorizes Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue a five (5) months interim Exemption certificate exempting vessels from the immersion suits required by SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 32.3, for vessels constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates (see Marine Notice SAF-007 Rev. 07/20).
Recognised Organisation (RO) is requested to forward a copy of five (5) months interim Exemption certificate issued, along with the full term Safety Equipment certificate to RegsandStandards@liscr.com for issuance of the full term Exemption certificate by the Administration.
Life-saving appliances of cargo ships of less than 1,600 grt (apply to existing ships under SOLAS 1974) - Equivalent arrangement
[IMO Circ. SLS 14/Circ. 10 (June 24, 1982)]
Well note that references are made to SOLAS 1960 and not to SOLAS 1974.
Regulation 35 of Chapter III of the Convention provides that every cargo ship, with certain exceptions, shall carry lifeboats on each side of the ship of such aggregate capacity as will accommodate all persons on board and in addition shall carry liferafts sufficient to accommodate half that number.
The Administration gives notification of acceptance of the following equivalent arrangement under the provisions of Regulation 5, Chapter I:
“Cargo ships of less than 1,600 grt and less than 275 feet in length may carry as a minimum requirement:
On each side of the ship, one or more liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate all the persons on board.
Additionally, a liferaft of sufficient capacity to accommodate half the total number of persons on board and capable of being rapidly launched, on either side of the ship, by means of an approved launching device.
Additionally, an accepted rigid boat, or inflated boat of robust construction, at least 12 feet in length and able to accommodate at least six persons, in each case fitted with an acceptable engine, kept ready and capable of being rapidly launched and recovered on one side of the ship with at least two persons on board, for use as a rescue boat.”
Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear (MSC 402(96))
(Marine Notice SAF-019, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-019 - Authorization of Service Providers for Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul and Repair of Lifeboats and Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and Release Gear)
This Marine Notice SAF-019 applies to all service providers seeking authorization to carry out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of:
Lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast rescue boats; and
launching appliances and on-load and off-load release gear for lifeboats (including primary and secondary means of launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit-launched life rafts.
Only service providers holding a valid Authorization Document issued by the Administration in accordance with the provisions of this Marine Notice SAF-019 will be accepted to carry out the following services on Liberian-flagged ships, regardless of any approvals from other flag States:
Weekly and monthly inspections and routine maintenance as specified in the equipment maintenance manual(s). It should be noted that shipboard personnel under the direction of a senior ship's officer may carry out the weekly and monthly inspections and routine maintenance in accordance with the maintenance manual(s) without the need to utilize an authorized service provider.
Annual thorough examinations and operational tests described in Section 6.2 of the Resolution MSC.402(96), as amended. The aforementioned annual thorough examinations and operational tests shall be conducted by certified personnel of either the original equipment manufacturer or an authorized service provider in accordance with the Resolution MSC.402(96), as amended and SOLAS regulation III/20. The service provider may be the ship operator if the operator is authorized in accordance with this Marine Notice SAF-019.
Five-year thorough examination, any overhaul, overload operational tests, as described in Section 6.3 of the Resolution MSC.402(96), as amended, and repair shall be conducted by certified personnel of either the manufacturer or a service provider authorized by the Administration. The five-year thorough examination, overhauls, overload operational tests should be done in the presence of an authorized classification society surveyor.
All service providers, except as noted below for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), seeking authorization to carry out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul, and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, as well as the associated launching appliances and release gear, must apply to obtain a Lifeboat Authorized Service Provider Document from the Administration.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for specific makes, types, models, and series of equipment that they manufactured may perform maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear on such equipment without obtaining prior authorization from the Administration.
All OEM service personnel performing the maintenance, annual and five-year thorough examinations, operational tests of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear, any overhaul, overload operational tests, and repairs shall be trained and certificated in accordance with Section 4 of the Marine Notice SAF-019.
All manufacturers that service equipment other than their own must apply and obtain authorization as a Lifeboat Service Provider from the Administration in accordance with Section 3 of this Marine Notice SAF-019.
A list of authorized service providers may be obtained on the Liberian Registry website https://www.liscr.com under ‘the “Maritime”, “Regulations and Standards Department” tab and “Authorized Lifeboat Service Providers”.
Application for Authorization as an Authorized Service Provider
All entities, including Manufacturers that service equipment other than their own or for which they have taken legal and legitimate responsibility, requesting to be authorized to provide services for Liberian-flagged ships must complete and submit an online application to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Republic of Liberia.
All applicants for authorization as an Authorized Lifeboat Service Provider must submit their application electronically via the online portal Waypoint Cloud.
All applicants for authorization as an Authorized Lifeboat Service Provider shall:
Submit one signed copy of the form (electronic signatures are acceptable).
a. The application shall be signed by the individual, partner or primary officer of a corporation who is legally able to obligate the entity for which he or she is a representative.
b. If the application is approved a Liberian Lifeboat Service Provider Authorization Document will be issued to the applicant valid for up to three (3) years at which time a new Application must be submitted to renew the Authorization.
In cases, where an applicant owns or operates several service providers and such service providers are not included under the applicant’s ISO quality system:
a. Each such service provider must be approved and authorized separately.
b. A separate application must be completed, as per item 1 above, and submitted for each individual service provider, along with all applicable quality system certification and RO approval certificates.
c. An individual Authorization Document will be issued to each of these service providers.
In cases where an applicant owns or operates several service providers and:
a. the applicant has a quality system certified to the current ISO 9000 standard;
b. all of the service providers are included under the applicant’s ISO quality system;
c. all of the service providers are included on the applicant’s RO Lifeboat Service Provider/Supplier approval certificate, and
d. the details of the owning/operating arrangements are indicated on the applicant’s application form;e. only one application should be submitted by the applicant; However, individual application should be submitted by each subsidiary applicant;
f. An individual Authorization Document will be issued to each of these service providers based on the applicant’s ISO certification and the applicant’s RO certification.
Initial Issuance of the Authorization Document
Upon satisfactory completion of the review the Administration will issue an Authorization Document valid for three years. The Authorization Document will be subject to annual endorsement by the Liberian Administration.
When a service provider’s ISO 9000 certification document includes subsidiary service providers, the subsidiaries will each be issued an individual Authorization Document.
Authorized service providers are also required to enter into an authorization and reporting agreement with the Administration.
Issuance of Provisional Authorization Document
Shipowners or Operators intending to use a service provider that is not authorized by the Administration must ensure that the service provider apply for an authorization using the procedure described above.
Upon receipt of the application, and pending its assessment, the Administration may agree to grant provisional authorization to the service provider for a single service only, to be completed within 30 days from the authorization. Refer to below paragraph “Issuance of Single Time Authorizations” for further details.
Issuance of Single Time Authorizations
A Single-Time Authorization is required in either of the following cases:
The ship is in a port where there is no lifeboat service provider authorized by the manufacturer(s) of the lifeboat equipment for the specific make and model installed on the ship (Refer to §4.3 of SAF-005 which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-005 - Lifeboat and survival craft, servicing and maintenance)
The manufacturer of the lifeboat, rescue boat, launching appliance, or releasing gear is no longer in business or no longer provides technical support.
In such cases, the Administration may, on a case-by-case basis, authorize one of the Authorized Service Providers to service the equipment for a single specific inspection, audit, or maintenance procedure. This authorization is contingent upon the service provider having prior authorization for the equipment and/or possessing long-term experience and demonstrated expertise servicing similar equipment.Applications for Single-Time Authorization should be submitted to the Administration via Waypoint Cloud
Renewal of an Authorization Document
To ensure continuity of authorization, an application for renewal of the Authorization Document may be submitted up to three (3) months prior to the expiration of the existing document. The renewed Authorization Document shall be valid for up to three (3) years from the expiration date of the existing Authorization Document.
Applications for renewal of an Authorization Document should be submitted via Waypoint Cloud.
Annual Endorsement
Within three (3) months before to three (3) months after the anniversary date of the Authorization Document, the authorized service provider shall undergo an annual reassessment, consisting of an onsite audit conducted by a Recognized Organization (RO) auditor.
Upon successful completion of the onsite audit, a copy of the audit report and/or the endorsed RO Service Provider/Supplier Certificate should be submitted to the Administration via Waypoint Cloud. Following review of the submitted information, the Administration will issue an endorsement to the Authorization Document.
Certification of Personnel
All authorized service provider personnel, including those employed by the OEM, who will carry out maintenance, annual and five-year thorough examinations, operational tests of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear, any overhaul, overload operational tests, and repairs of the equipment shall:
Be trained and certified by the manufacturer of the equipment or by a competent person of an authorized service provider who has been trained and certified by the manufacturer. The training and certification shall comply, at a minimum, with the education, training, and competency requirements of Section 8.2 of Resolution MSC.402(96) as amended.
Upon successful completion of the requirements of Section 8.2 of Resolution MSC.402(96) as amended, each person shall be issued a certificate defining the level of qualification and the scope of the certification (i.e. make, type, model, and series of equipment), clearly stating which activities are covered by the certification.
All authorized service providers using a competent person to carry out in-house training and certification of their personnel must maintain a quality system documented to the current ISO 9000 standards. The quality system must include procedures for the training of personnel and should incorporate the guidelines and standards in Parts 1 through 4 of ISO specification on the training of service personnel (ISO 23678:2022).
The expiry date of the certificate shall clearly be indicated on the certificate and shall not exceed three (3) years from the date of issue. The validity of a certificate shall be suspended in the event of any shortfall in performance, and it may only be revalidated after a further competency assessment.
For renewal of training certification, a competency assessment shall be conducted by the manufacturer of the equipment or by a competent person of an authorized service provider who has been trained and certified by the manufacturer. In cases where refresher training is found necessary, a further assessment shall be carried out after the completion of such training.
All authorized service personnel, including those employed by the OEM, shall, upon request by the Administration, an attending class surveyor, or an attending Liberian nautical inspector, provide a copy of the certificate defining their level of qualification and the scope of the certification (i.e. make, type, model, and series of equipment) and, clearly stating the specific activities covered by the certification.
Two-way VHF radio telephone apparatus - Intrinsically safe type on oil tankers: cargoes of 60°C (flash point) or less and liquefied gas and chemical tankers
(Regulation III/6.2.1)
Portable VHF radio telephones are usually kept in charge condition on the bridge, ready for placement in the survival craft in an emergency. Thus, the possibility exists whereby they can be used for other purposes.
Therefore, since portable radio telephones may be used any place on the ship, the Administration requires that, when portable VHF radios are used on tankers carrying cargoes of 60°C flash point (140°F) or less and on liquefied gas and/or chemical carriers, the portable VHF radio telephones shall be intrinsically safe, except when the units are set aside and labelled only for survival craft use, outside the cargo block.
Nautical publications
(SOLAS 1974 Regulation V/20)
Informative notes on chart inspection for guidance of the surveyor
The two principal producers of English language navigational charts, the United Kingdom and the United States, have differing chart correction procedures. British charts in stock with chart supply agents are routinely corrected to the last Notice to Mariners received by the agent and will be automatically up-to-date when received on board ship.
United States charts are not routinely corrected by the chart agent and when ordered by a ship will be supplied together with any outstanding Notices to Mariners relating to that chart. If, therefore any Liberian ship is found to be deficient in her outfit of charts and publications and United States replacement are ordered, these when delivered may not be ready for use for navigation until they are corrected. Until such time as that is done, the ship remains deficient and the supply of new charts should never be assumed to cancel such a deficiency.
Some shipping companies enter into a contract with chart agencies under which charts are withdrawn for correction and replaced, or new editions are automatically supplied. This system takes the burden of chart / publications correction off the ship’s staff who then have to cope only with emergency corrections and navigational warnings received by radio. This system is efficient, but it is also costly and is not in universal use.
The United States Defence Mapping Agency operates a computerised system in which participate ships fitted with satellite communications.
As far as Liberian ships are concerned, the main problem remains that of the ship without any external chart correcting aids where the task falls upon the very often overworked ship’s navigational staff. A really serious problem arises in cases where the navigational staff does not possess the competence or expertise to ensure that navigational documentation is maintained to the required standards. Having regard to the examination and seatime service standards set by Liberia, this should not happen but we know that it does by some individual cases and has to be guarded against.
The object of charts inspection is (a) to ensure that charts in use are not out of date and (b) to primarily ensure that there is in the ship a satisfactory chart correction system.
If the surveyor is satisfied that (b) is accomplished then (a) is automatic. A satisfactory chart correction system may be verified if a methodical list of chart corrections made can be produced or if back copies of Notices to Mariners can be produced which have been annotated as having been dealt with or from which extracts have been cut out for transfer to charts and publications. All these items are evidence of this nature, then there is no system. A skilled surveyor even if he is not a qualified navigator, will soon detect attempts to mislead him.
Failure of ship’s officers to speak even rudimentary English should be regarded with scepticism. The convention on standards of training and watch keeping, 1978, requires that all officers shall have a knowledge of English although it is perhaps too soon for this requirement to have a noticeable effect. However, the radio officer has to speak English and surveyors who suspect that they are being obstructed on language grounds should request that the radio officer be asked to translate. Attempts to evade inquires into chart correction by protestations that English is not understood should always be regarded by the surveyor with suspicion.
Requirements on carriage of publications on board ships
Ships flying the Liberian Flag must, as a minimum, carry on board the latest edition of publications listed in the Marine Notice ADM-007
IMO instruments such as SOLAS, MARPOL, LL, COLREG and STCW conventions,
IAMSAR Manual Volume III, International Code of Signals, nautical charts and publications, publication required by the ISM code and mentionned in the ship’s SMS
Where applicable: IBC code, BCH code, IGC code, etc.
Electronic Nautical Publications
(Marine Notice NAV-001 Rev 02/22)
When a vessel operator, with ECDIS installed, chooses to use paper nautical charts and publications as the primary means of navigation, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide a notation on the Form E of the Safety Equipment Certificate, or Form P of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, which indicates that the ECDIS is installed as required, but that the vessel operator has elected to continue using paper nautical charts and publications as the primary means of navigation on this vessel.
LRIT
(ISP-003)
A conformance test is required for all new and existing installations of shipborne LRIT equipment upon ship’s registration or re-registration under the Liberian flag, and thereafter annually on or before the anniversary date of the conformance test. The conformance test submitted for registration or re-registration shall be less than one month old and conducted by the Testing ASP. For security reasons, all conformance tests shall be conducted directly by the Liberian Administration Authorized testing Application Service Provider (Testing ASP).
Commencing 1 January 2024, all Conformance Test Reports will be issued with validity not exceeding twelve (12) months from the conformance test completion date.
As of 1 April 2024, shipborne LRIT equipment tested prior to 31 December 2023, including test conducted by previously authorized Testing ASP prior to 21 April 2022, are required to be retested on or before the anniversary dates of the conformance tests (refer to attached Marine Advisory 20/2024).
Recognised Organisation (RO), taking into consideration the compliance dates in accordance with the provisions of SOLAS Regulation V/19-1.4.1 and the guidance outlined in Sections 8 & 9 of MSC.1/Circ.1307/Rev.1, should ensure that ships have a valid Conformance Test Report prior to issuing the applicable full term Safety Certificate during the applicable surveys (Refer to survey item LBR033).
For all new and existing installations, when a ship is transferring flag and registering with Liberia or vessel’s ownership is being transferred with ship remaining registered (re-registered) with Liberia, and thereafter annually on or before the anniversary date of the conformance test, the shipowner shall have made prior arrangements the soonest possible to have the LRIT equipment tested with the Testing ASP. When presented with evidence of a test appointment, Recognised Organisation (RO) may issue to the ship an applicable full term Safety Certificate.
Endorsement and Renewal of the applicable Safety Certificate: in accordance with the provisions of MSC.1/Circ.1307/Rev.1 with regards to the LRIT equipment, during annual surveys the attending surveyor should endorse the applicable Safety Certificate provided that the Conformance Test Report is still valid. At the time of renewal of the applicable Safety Certificate, the Certificate should be reissued if the ship still has a valid Conformance Test Report. Provided the ship has a valid Conformance Test Report, no additional test or other verification of the LRIT equipment is required for the annual, intermediate, periodical or renewal survey of the applicable Safety Certificate.
(Administration email dated 02/04/2026)
During Safety Equipment Certificate Surveys (SEQ Surveys), provided the Company has made arrangements for an LRIT annual test and/or a dispensation is available on board, the Administration authorizes the RO to endorse the Safety Equipment Certificate after completion of the survey.
Installation of additional equipment and systems in addition to or beyond that which is required by international instruments
(RSCM Meeting 09/2009)
Any such additional equipment or systems installed on ships should meet the same performance and material standards applicable for such equipment or systems installed as a required system or equipment.
If such additional equipment was not used to get a variance or exception from a required rule or regulation, it could be removed if the shipowners so request, upon agreement by the Administration.
BNWAS
(RSCM meeting 09/2011)
BNWAS equipment installed prior to 1 July 2011 for which conformance with MSC.128(75) cannot be documented may be exempted from full compliance with MSC.128(75) at the discretion of the Flag Administration. The Liberian Administration has decided to grant such exemptions. The Liberian Administration has developed a checklist for BNWAS installed on Liberian Flag ships, i.e. an existing system (see the attached file “BNWAS_Checklist”). Shipowners will be asked to complete this checklist. All ships, for both new and existing systems, will be required to have the RO verify the BNWAS installation and conduct an operational test of the system to ensure that the system conforms with the performance standards of MSC.128(75). For an existing system, the Administration will review the completed checklist and the report of the operation test conducted by the RO to determine if the BNWAS is acceptable and what, if any exemptions, are required. For new systems, the Administration will review the report of the operational test to determine if the BNWAS is acceptable.
Exemptions will be issued for BNWAS installed before 1 July 2011 when the BNWAS does not have the auto on feature. Exemptions will be issued when BNWAS does not have the third stage alarm.
The following is accepted as being equivalent to battery power: Ships which do not have the malfunction indication, and all elements of the emergency call facility, if incorporated, connected to battery power but these items have been connected to the ships emergency power system.
Fire-fighters communications
(RCSM meeting dated October 2018)
Performance standards
To date, IMO has not set performance standards for the two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus required for firefighter’s communication.
In order for such equipment to meet the explosion-proof or intrinsically safe requirements of SOLAS 11-2/10.10.4, the Administration requires that the portable radiotelephone apparatus be certified in accordance with a recognized relevant standard for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, and to be maintained to those standards.
Examples of acceptable performance standards:
Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) - with approval rating such as II2G Ex IB IIA T3; or II2G Ex IB IIB T4
IEC 60079-0 2009 - Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres - Classification of areas
IEC 60092-502 1999 - Electrical installations in ships - Tankers - Special features.
U.S. National Electric Code (NEC) (NFPA 70, article 500)
Canadian Electric Code (CEC)
Number of two-way portable radios to be provided
The total number of these radios to be carried on board will depend upon the number of fire parties detailed on the ship’s Muster List and in the ship’s Safety Management System rather than the number of fire-fighter outfits.
Each Fire Party must have as least two explosion proof or intrinsically safe portable radios dedicated only for the use by the fire party.
The purpose of these fire-fighter radios is to provide a dedicated means of communication between a team of fire fighters entering the space and the crew member located outside the space who is assigned to control this team.
Storage of the fire-fighters two-way portable radios
Fire-fighter radios should be stored together with fire-fighter’s outfit to ensure easy access and availability with the fire-fighter’s outfit in order not to waste valuable time collecting fire-fighter radios from a separate location.
If not stored with the fire-fighters outfit the fire-fighter radios should be marked or colored to identify such radios from other on board portable radios in order to ensure that they are:
kept ready for use by the fire party,
not inadvertently used for another purpose, and
so that they are recognizable to the surveyor during survey.
Dispensations
Due to the long delivery time from manufacturers for two-way portable radio apparatus certified in accordance with relevant standards for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, the Administration, if necessary, will issue dispensations to vessels allowing them to continue operating without such portable two-way radio apparatus until they can be obtained from the manufacturers/suppliers.
A confirmed order for such radios will be required for the dispensation.
Unavailability of new EPIRB
(Marine Advisory 23/2022)
The Administration advises that due to temporary market shortage and/or lack of availability of such new EPIRB:
Existing A.810(19) compliant EPIRBs installed before 01 July 2022 may continue to be used until such time as they can no longer be maintained. At such time an MSC.471(101) compliant EPRIB should be installed.
If an IMO Resolution MSC.471(101) compliant EPIRB is unavailable for installation after 1 July 2022, an IMO Resolution A.810(19) compliant EPIRB may be installed and used until such a time an IMO Resolution MSC.471(101) compliant EPIRB becomes available or until 01 July 2023 whichever is earlier. If the shortage of MSC.471(101) compliant EPIRBs is not resolved by 01 July 2023, the Administration will reconsider the need to extend the grace period granted by this Advisory.
Anti-piracy citadels and CO2 system safety considerations
(Technical Letter 2012-01)
Refer to this Technical Letter for Administration’s policy on installation of an isolation valve in the delivery line to a protected space.
The Administration has accepted the installation of this additional safety device with the following conditions:
the valve is to be located in a position within the "citadel" that is easily accessible both for use and maintenance;
the valve is to be sealed in the open position by a physical seal which must be broken for the valve to be closed;
the valve is to be contained in a steel cabinet with lockable door, key kept in break glass box next to it with a spare key in similar box in the machinery space control room;
the door to the valve cabinet is to be fitted with an alarm system to give an audible and visual indication within the machinery space when this door is opened. The valve position "open/closed" is to be indicated on the machinery space alarm panel within the control room;
a warning sign is to be fitted:
“Machinery space CO2 system isolation valve – keep open! To be closed by authorized personnel only”;
procedures relating to the maintenance, routine checking and use of the isolation valve and safety features are to be included in the Safety Management System;
the isolation valve and safety features are to be subject to periodical service and survey along with the rest of the CO2 system; and
the pipework upstream of the isolation valve is provided with over-pressure protection with discharge to open deck (note that this may also be achieved by means of a three-way valve arrangement with a vent line to outside the space.
Ship-owners choosing to install an isolation valve into the delivery line should be encouraged to submit plans and associated drawings to the Administration’s Technical Department for review and approval.
Location of fuel isolation valves as a measure to control fires in engine rooms
(Technical Letter 2025-02)
For all ships with keel laid date on or after 1 July 2002, the Administration recommends using the checklist as attached to this Technical Letter (MSC.1/Circ.1321), to review the arrangements on board the vessel. In case of no compliance the Administration should be contacted.
Ship maneuverability requirements
(Technical Letter 2025-03)
The Administration requires that the maneuvering information be displayed on the bridge as required by IMO Res. A.601(15). However, the Administration does not require that vessels registered under the Liberian flag be supplied with a maneuvering booklet.
Liberian flag vessels need only be supplied with the Wheelhouse Poster and the Pilot Card required by IMO Resolution A.601(15). Only the Wheelhouse Poster needs to be permanently displayed on the bridge. The Pilot Card should be available on the bridge for use by the pilot but does not have to be displayed.
The Administration will allow the maneuvering test required by IMO Resolution A.601(15) to be carried out on the lead vessel in a series and waive the requirement for sister vessels of the same dimensions and fitted with a main engine of the same power, and the same size propeller and rudder.
In cases where the SHaPoLi / EPL system is applied, the following documents should be updated to include the maneuvering characteristics of the ship when the ship has all shaft and engine power available, and when shaft or engine power has been limited:
the Pilot card;
the wheelhouse poster; and
the maneuvering booklet.
In case no corresponding trials are carried out, alternately, the existing maneuvering booklet, if available, and the maneuvering chart/poster displayed in the wheelhouse may include that the ship’s power has been limited and state the limiting power for the attention of the Master to account for the ship’s performance.
Ships with non-overridable shaft-engine power limitation need to be provided with new maneuvering charts/posters in the wheelhouse. Any ship’s certificates that refer to engine (propulsion) power should be reissued to indicate the limited engine power.
Computational fluid dynamics may be used to prepare the revised/new maneuvering charts/posters.
Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate
Manning
(SOLAS 1974 Regulations IV/15 and IV/16)
Where a ship sails without a radio maintainer (either 1st or 2nd Class) on board, i.e., using duplication of equipment and shore-based maintenance, at least two deck officers are required to hold the GMDSS general operator certificate.
If there is a radio maintainer on board, that is the only person required.
Radio personnel - Certificates
The personnel shall hold a valid Liberian certificate.
If not, the definitive radio certificate may not be issued.
Satellite EPIRBs (SOLAS 1974 Regulation IV/7.1.6)
(RCSM 2014)
This is important: if the EPIRB is not properly registered, in addition to not being in compliance with SOLAS Chapter IV, it could also delay an emergency response if a ship is in trouble.
Some PSCs has begun to check EPIRB registrations and noting the discrepancies.The HEX ID is a 15 hexadecimal character string referred to as the beacon 15 HEX Identification, or 15 HEX ID. The beacon’s 15 character Hex ID uniquely identifies the 406 MHz beacon and is encoded in the message the beacon transmits to search and rescue services if the beacon is activated.
GMDSS radio logbooks
Marine Notice RAD-008, which is displayed in Marine Notice RAD-008 - GMDSS radio logbooks, provides for the format of the radio log book and also specifies the way it shall be kept.
Required documents for ship radio stations
Marine Notice RAD-001, which is displayed in Marine Notice RAD-001 - Required documents for ship radio stations, shows the list of required documents for radio-stations.
Validity of radio communication equipment
(RCS meeting dated 19/10/2017)
In accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.1, in order to ensure GMDSS capability, HF radio communication equipment capable of operating narrow band direct printing (NBDP) shall be updated so that following the first radio survey after 1 January 2024 it meets the channelling arrangements reflected in sections 11 and I2 of Part B in Appendix 17 of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Radio.
If the HF radio communications equipment capable of operating NBDP is not updated so that it meets the channelling arrangements of sections II and III of Part B in appendix 17 of the RR, then the vessel must comply with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter IV/10.1 regarding radio communications when operating in Sea Area 3 (i.e. the installation of a second INM C terminal).
Vessels that undertake voyages or operations in Sea Area 4 must update their HF radio communication equipment as they are required to comply reg. IV/10.2 which requires an MF/HF capable of using NBDP. For single voyages into Sea Area 4 the Administration is willing to grant a dispensation from this requirement for such voyages.
With regards to the changes in frequencies and channelling arrangements for the VHF bands, it is noted that:
The changes do not affect the VHF channels used for navigation safety and inter-ship (i.e. ship to ship) VHF communications. The channels designated for use for the aforementioned communications are Channels 6, 13, 15,16, 17, and 70.
The changes to the VHF frequencies do not affect the AIS VHF channels (AIS1 and AIS2). Therefore, there is no need to update the VHF equipment as the frequency and channel changes do not affect the VHF channels used for navigation safety.
Acceptance and Registration of Iridium GMDSS Terminals
(Marine Advisory 02/2022)
(Marine Notice RAD-011, which is displayed in Marine Notice RAD-011 - Maritime Mobile Satellite Service - Activations and Changes to Terminals)
MSC.451(99) officially recognized Iridium to provide GMDSS services.
The Administration has accepted Iridium as a recognized Maritime Mobile Satellite Service (MMSS) for providing GMDSS services and the dissemination of MSI. Therefore, approved Iridium GMDSS terminals may be installed on Liberian flagged vessels for compliance with the applicable requirements of SOLAS Chapter IV regarding GMDSS and MSI.
Any Iridium terminal installed on board a Liberian flag ship must be reported to the Administration in accordance with international telecommunication rules (ITU) for amendment of the vessel’s radio station license, for verification of compliance with SOLAS Chapter IV requirements, and inclusion in the Administration’s communication database.
For vessels operating in Sea Area 4, the Liberian Administration will accept the activation of an Iridium GMDSS terminal on board the vessel as meeting the requirement for duplication of services provided a MF/HF installation with DSC and NBDP is used as the main station and the vessel has another recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station as required by SOLAS IV/10.1.1.The second recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station as required by SOLAS IV/10.1.1 could be a second Iridium terminal, an Inmarsat terminal, or another mobile satellite service terminal if such are approved by IMO in the future for GMDSS.
Amendments to SOLAS Chapter IV (GMDSS)
(Marine Notice RAD-010, which is displayed in Marine Notice RAD-010 - SOLAS CHAPTER IV Radiocommunications)
The mandatory requirements to install an Inmarsat-C system on board a ship have been removed from SOLAS Chapter IV. With the approval of Iridium as a GMDSS system, SOLAS Chapter IV, in lieu of specifying Inmarsat-C equipment requires ships, when applicable, to be outfitted with a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station capable of:
Transmitting and receiving distress, urgency and safety communications;
initiating and receiving distress priority calls; and
maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alert relays, including those directed to specifically defined geographical areas.
The recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station may be any such system that has been approved by IMO for use in the GMDSS.
NAVTEX and NBDP are no longer mandatory required equipment that must be installed on ships no matter in which Sea Area the ship operates.
Ships are required to be outfitted with a receiver or receivers capable of receiving MSI and search and rescue related information throughout the entire voyage in which the ship is engaged. It should be noted that currently not every NAVAREA or METAREA coordinator is transmitting MSI on all available recognized mobile satellite services.
The alternative method of compliance for operation in Sea Area A3, using VHF + MF/HF (DSC + radio telephony + NBDP) + Secondary means (EPIRB or Ship Earth Station (SES), has been deleted from Regulation 10.2. However, in accordance with COMSAR.1/Circ.32, as amended, a single MF/HF radio installation may be accepted both as a primary MF radio installation and a duplicated MF/HF radio installation.
Sea Area 3 has been redefined as an area, excluding Sea Areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of a recognized mobile satellite service supported by the ship earth station carried on board, in which continuous alerting is available. Under this definition for a vessel equipped with a recognized mobile satellite service, such as Iridium, which provides continuous full global coverage and alerting, Sea Area 3, as defined b SOLAS IV/2.1.17 extends into and includes the polar regions.
Therefore, vessels equipped with an Iridium GMDSS system which provides complete global coverage, Sea Area A4, as defined in regulation 2.1.1.18 of SOLAS Chapter IV does not exist, as Sea Area A3 for such vessels includes all water beyond Sea Areas A1 and A2, including polar regions.
The table in Marine Notice RAD-010, which is displayed in Marine Notice RAD-010 - SOLAS CHAPTER IV Radiocommunications, provides the equipment that shall be installed on ships operating in Sea Areas with regards to GMDSS.
Passenger Ship Safety Certificate
Underwater examination of hull
(SOLAS 1974 Regulation I/7(b)(ii))
The Administration is prepared to accept an underwater examination of the hull in lieu of a bottom survey in dry dock. Passenger vessels of 15 years of age or less are to be examined in drydock at least twice during any five year period. Passenger vessels of more than 15 years of age must have the outer bottom of the hull examined in drydock at least every other year.
For passenger vessels of 15 years of age or less, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall evaluate the request and, shall consider all the relevant information, prior approving the request for underwater examination of hull in lieu of drydocking. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration of each approved request for an underwater examination of hull in lieu of drydocking to regsandstandards@liscr.com.
For passenger vessels of more than 15 years of age, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall obtain prior agreement from the Administration before approving an underwater examination of the hull in lieu of drydocking. Requests for such agreement shall be sent to regsandstandards@liscr.com.
For further information, refer to the Marine Notice TEC-008 displayed in Marine Notice TEC-008 - Passenger vessels - Underwater examination of hull in lieu of drydocking.
Immersion suits and thermal protective aids
(SOLAS 74 Regulations III/22.4 and III/32.3)
Refer to the above paragraph Immersion suits and thermal protective aids.
Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships
(SAF-016)
Assessment and periodical review
Recognised Organisation (RO) in assessing the application aimed at obtaining the authorization for the watertight doors to be opened or to remain open shall ensure the following:
Application to be made to Liberia through the RO classing the vessel;
The damage stability and floatability assessment shall be verified;
Provide the category of watertight doors being applied for Category A, B, C, or D (as applicable based on the age of the vessel) including the proposed justifications relevant to the categorization of said watertight doors;
Verify that the application contains:
all requested information regarding the categorization of the watertight doors as per Paragraph 6 of MSC.1/Circ.1380 or MSC.1/Circ.1564 (as applicable to the vessel);
a copy of the vessel damage and fire control plans with all watertight doors clearly indicated;
a copy of the Company`s operational instructions relevant to the operations of the watertight doors;
a copy of the Company`s risk assessment relevant to the survivability and the results of the floatability assessment; and
for existing ships only, checklist in Appendix 2 of MSC.1/Circ.1380 which provides the technical standards for watertight doors on passenger ships.
Once the above application has been approved by the Administration, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall ensure that the watertight doors categories are recorded in the Damage Control Plan and in the list of operational limitations.
At every load-line renewal survey, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall review the plan of the watertight doors and relevant categorization to ensure that the approved arrangements are still reflecting the current on-board situation, and no changes have been made.
Modifications, transfer of Class or change of Flag
In case of modifications, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall contact the Administration to start a new process for the categorization of the watertight doors.
In case of transfer of Class, the authorization letter in paragraph 7 below shall be reissued with the name of the gaining Classification Society/RO of the vessel.
In case of transfer of Flag, the Administration may accept the existing authorization provided by the loosing Flag, on the condition that this is consistent with the requirements stated in MSC.1/Circ.1380 or MSC.1/Circ.1564, as applicable to the vessel.
Flag Administration authorization letter
In case of a positive outcome, at the completion of the reviewing process, this Administration will issue the authorization letter, to be kept in the ship`s file and readily available on board. (See ANNEX I to Marine Notice SAF-016)
Retroactive Requirements for Existing Passenger Ships
(Marine Advisory 32/2024)
The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to highlight recent retroactive SOLAS requirements for existing passenger ships that were recently adopted by Resolution MSC.550(108), and which require compliance not later than the first Passenger Ship Safety Survey on or after 1 January 2028.These requirements apply to passenger ships constructed before 1 January 2026, including those constructed before 1 July 2012, and which are fitted with either vehicle, special category and/or open and/or closed ro-ro spaces, and/or with weather decks intended for the carriage of vehicles.
These requirements are related to the following:
Detection and alarm
Video monitoring
Fixed fire-extinguishing systems
Others
CSS Code
Cargo securing manuals
(SOLAS 1974, Regulation VI/5)
The society is authorised to approve the cargo securing manual on behalf of the Administration.
The Memorandum of Understanding is shown in Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cargo Securing Manual Approvals for Liberia.
CSS Code Amendments
(Marine Operations Note 04/2016)
With regard to review and approving the CSM,the CSM should include the quantity of securing devices as determined necessary for the trade the vessel is engaged in and not necessarily for a full TEU capacity, while including an adequate quantity of reserve cargo securing devices.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to contact the Administration if there any issues in implementing new Annex 14 to the CCS Code (MSC.1/Circ.1352/Rev.1) to new and existing ship.
For further information, see attached file “MarineOperationsNote_04-2016_CSS_Code.pdf”
Authorisation to carry extra personnel
(CSCC, Oct 1997)
The owner requesting authorisation to carry additional persons for more than 15 days should first contact the society to determine if the ship’s existing lifeboats can be recertified to carry the extra personnel or, if possible, new and/or additional lifeboats can be installed if frequent or long term carriage of additional persons is anticipated. If this is not possible, the Administration will authorise the installation of additional liferafts in substitution for required additional lifeboat capacity in order to permit the ship to carry additional persons for a short-term period subject to the necessary surveys being carried out to the satisfaction of the attending surveyor. The surveyor should also verify that additional personal life-saving appliances and, if applicable, additional thermal protective aids have been placed on board. The surveyor should also ensure that adequate quarters and sanitary facilities are also available for the additional persons.
The society will be authorised, if all is satisfactory, to issue a short-term Safety Equipment Certificate of up to three months duration or of a length specified by the Administration. Any extension of the short-term certificate will require prior authorisation from the Administration.
Authorisations to carry extra persons will not be allowed as a means to circumvent Port States immigration laws or as a means to provide alternative workers to shipyard labour while a ship is in the shipyard.
Carriage of grain
(TEC-006)
The provisions of Chapter VI of SOLAS will be applied in full to all approvals of grain loading arrangements for the Liberian vessels of greater than 20 gross tons including non-self propelled barges constructed or utilized for the carriage of grain.
The contents of MSC/Circ.363, MSC/Circ.488 and MSC.1/Circ.1538 are to be taken into consideration when applying Part C of Chapter VI “Strength of grain division”.
Loading plans, calculations and other data related to grain loading arrangements offered for approval are required to be submitted directly to Recognised Organisation (RO). Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized for approving the grain loading arrangements and to issue official grain loading certificates on behalf of the Administration.
IBC code
(RO meeting 2007 - Point 10)
Existing chemical tanker not fully complying with the requirements entered into force on 01/01/2007 (New IBC code) may be permitted by the Administration to continue to carry chemical and/or NLS cargoes. However the ship will be limited to the carriage of only “2K” cargoes and those NLS cargoes that the vessel was authorized to carry prior to 1 January 2007.
Issuance of two certificates of fitness (one for a type II chemical tanker and another for a type III chemical tanker) to a type II chemical tanker is allowed. There was no need to require two separate P and A manuals as far as all of the conditions for operation as a type II or type III ships could be incorporated into one manual.
IMO unique company and registered owner identification number
(ADM-008)
Refer to SOLAS XI-1/3-1
The IMO unique company and/or registered owner Identification Numbers shall be inserted in the following documents when they are issued or renewed on or after 1 January 2009:
Safety Management Certificate (SMC) – company number only,
Document of Compliance (DOC) – company number only,
International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) – company number only, and
Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) – company and registered owner numbers. The regulations do not require that the documents be renewed for the sole purpose of inserting the IMO unique company and/or registered owner identification numbers
Shipowners are responsible to obtain this number from LR Fairplay.
IGC Code
Gas Detection Equivalency
(RCSM 2021)
IGC Code 1.3.1 allows the Administration to issue an equivalency for a “particular fitting, material, appliance, apparatus, item of equipment or type.” This must be “satisfied by trial”, typically a HAZID.
Equivalencies cannot be issued for “operational methods or procedures to be made as an alternative”. Once an equivalent level of safety is proven, an Equivalent Arrangement Letter will be issue and will be uploaded to the IMO through the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) as required by 1.3.2.
IGC Code requires:
13.6.2 A permanently installed system of gas detection and audible and visual alarms shall be fitted in:
.4 spaces in gas-fired internal combustion engines, referred to in 16.7.3.3;
16.7.3.3 Crankcases, sumps, scavenge spaces and cooling system vents shall be provided with gas detection (see 13.6.17).
13.6.17 For other spaces described by 13.6.2, alarms shall be activated when the vapour concentration reaches 30% LFL and safety functions required by chapter 16 shall be activated before the vapour concentration reaches 60% LFL. The crankcases of internal combustion engines that can run on gas shall be arranged to alarm before 100% LFL.
The ME-LGI engine type is a crosshead two stroke engine with an exhaust outlet valve at the top of the cylinder. Inlet of air is provided at the lower end of the cylinders by inlet ports.The cylinder block, crank case and sump tank are separated, the risk of gas flowing into the crank case and sump tank are very low when gas leakage occur from cylinder.Also, there is no risk of gas leakage in the scavenge space because the gas is directly injected by the method of Diesel Cycle combustion.HAZOPS have determined that Gas detection is indirectly carried out by monitoring the sealing oil pressure difference to the three gas pressure sensors, and by this the requirement of IGC 16.7.3.3 is met.During IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers – CCC 7, several papers were submitted to align the IGC Code with the IGF Code regarding gas detection.CCC7 determined that the IGC Code would have to be amended in order to make this change. The Amendment is expected to be approved at CCC8.Until the IGC Code is amended, submission of equivalencies shall continue.
IGC Code 18.2 - Cargo Operational Manual
(RCSM 2022)
Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyors are to ensure that Cargo Operations Manuals are approved by the Administration or its authorized RO.
IGC Code 13.6.2 - Permanent gas detection
(RCSM 2022)
A permanently installed system of gas detection and audible and visual alarms shall be fitted in other enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces where cargo vapours may accumulate, including interbarrier spaces and hold spaces for independent tanks other than type C tanks.
Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyors are to ensure that semi-enclosed spaces such as gas compressor room is installed with permanent gas detection and audible and visual alarm system.
IGC Code 13.6.9 - Continuous gas monitoring equipment
(RCSM 2022)
Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyors are to ensure that the gas detection equipment may be located in a non-hazardous space, provided that the detection equipment such as sample piping, sample pumps, solenoids and analyzing units are located in a fully enclosed steel cabinet with the door sealed by a gasket. The atmosphere within the enclosure shall be continuously monitored and not at an intermittent interval.
Procedures for changing cargo tank pressures on existing liquified gas carriers
(Marine Advisory 34/2023 and Marine Notice SAF-011)
In accordance with chapter 8.2.7 of the 1983 IGC Code, the changing of the set pressure of cargo tank relief valves under the provisions of chapter 8.2.6 and the corresponding resetting of the alarms referred to in chapter 13.4.1, should be carried out under the supervision of the master in accordance with procedures approved by Administration and specified in the ship's operating manual.
The 1983 IGC Code, does not require the Liquified Gas Carrier Operating Manual to be approved by the Administration or an authorized recognized organization. Where the ship’s operating manual is not approved in accordance with Marine Notice SAF-011, procedures for changing set pressure of cargo tank relief valves and the corresponding resetting of the alarms approved by an authorized recognized organization at the new-building stage should be available on board and included in the operating manual.
If the approved procedures from the new-building stage are not available on board, the procedures should be reviewed and approved by the Administration or an authorized recognized organization.
Low-flashpoint fuels
(Marine Notice SAF-017, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-017 - Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels)
The IGC Code, as amended, similar to the IGF Code, provides specific provisions for use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo as fuel.
Requirements for the use of other low-flashpoint cargo for fuel are under development at the IMO and the IGC Code, as amended, requires that the same level of safety as natural gas is ensured, to be demonstrated as specified in SOLAS regulation II-1/55.
Accordingly, the same general process and requirements as described in the Marine Notice SAF-017 for ships using low-flashpoint fuels are to be followed for the use of other low-flashpoint cargo as fuel on gas carriers (see Low-flashpoint fuels). Refer to sections 4.2 and 4.3 of Marine Notice SAF-017 for details for specific fuels.
Early Implementation of IGC Code Amendments (2028) on Cargo Tank Filling Limits
(Administration email dated 22/06/2026)
The Administration does not have any formal objection to these IGC Code 2028 amendments before the tacit acceptance date of 1 January 2028.The Administration will not enforce any national, flag-specific technical requirements or interpretations regarding the increased cargo tank filling limits, in addition to the updated international IMO text.
The Administration will wait until an MSC circular requesting voluntary early implementation is issued. IACS should submit same to next MSC 112 while Liberia may agree to co-sponsor. Liberia ships can then apply such circular.
If there is no MSC Circular, the equivalent arrangement could be used in the interim period until the entry into force of the amendments. The Administration permits Recognised Organisation (RO) to review and approve increased filling limit calculations - omitting the isolated vapour pocket evaluation - in accordance with the IGC 2028 amendment approved by MSC 111 prior to the official international entry-into-force date 1 July 2028.
IGF code
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall contact the Administration as early as possible for any alternative fuel or other innovative ship design projects involving ships intended for the Liberian Flag.
Voluntary Early Implementation of the Amendments to Paragraphs 4.2.2 and 8.4.1 to 8.4.3
(Marine Operations Note 03/2024)
These amendments introduced alternative arrangements for the design of the bunkering manifold and will enter into force on 01 January 2026. There are provisions for voluntary early implementation of paragraphs 4.2.2 and 8.4.1 to 8.4.3 of the IGF Code.
The Administration will issue an equivalency certificate under SOLAS regulation l/5 to cover the interim period between the date of the voluntary early implementation and the entry into force date of amendments.
Low-flashpoint fuels
(Marine Notice SAF-017, which is displayed in Marine Notice SAF-017 - Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels)
Ships using low-flashpoint fuels shall comply with the requirements of the IGF Code, as amended. The Administration is allowing voluntary early implementation of certain paragraphs of the amendments to the IGF code in MSC Resolution 551(108) (see Marine Operations Note 03/2024 in Voluntary Early Implementation of the Amendments to Paragraphs 4.2.2 and 8.4.1 to 8.4.3).
The IGF Code, as amended contains regulations to meet the functional requirements for the use of natural gas fuel. Requirements for the use of other low-flashpoint fuels are under development at the IMO and will be added to the IGF Code, as amended, once developed. Refer to section 4.1 of Marine Notice SAF-017 for current guidance for specific fuels.
Until such time that requirements for other low-flashpoint fuels are developed, it must be demonstrated that the use of another low-flashpoint fuel achieves compliance with the functional requirements of IGF Code, as amended, and that an equivalent level of safety is maintained. This equivalence of the alternative design shall be demonstrated as specified in SOLAS regulation II-1/55 and approved by the Administration. The guidelines in MSC.1/Circ.1212/Rev.2 and MSC.1/Circ.1455, as appropriate, are to be used for assessment and approval of the alternative design.The risks shall be analyzed using acceptable and recognized risk analysis techniques, considering the guidance provided in MSC.1/Circ.1455, and the loss of function, component damage, fire, explosion and electric shock as a minimum. The analysis shall ensure that risks are eliminated wherever possible, and where they cannot be eliminated, are mitigated as necessary.
The Administration has delegated the majority of the review of compliance with the requirements of the use of low-flashpoint fuels to Recognised Organisation (RO). In this case, the reference to “Administration” in MSC.1/Circ.1455 should mostly be taken as Recognised Organisation (RO).
However, in order for the application of these procedures to be successful, the Administration should be notified as early in the process and all stakeholders, including the Administration, Recognised Organisation (RO), owners, operators, and designers should be in continuous communication from the onset of a specific proposal. This should include the scope of the risk assessment (RA) and extent of the analysis to be carried out.
And the following specific aspects of this process either involve or are reserved for this Administration:
If a HAZID or HAZOP is to be carried out as part of this process and it is known at the time that the vessel will be registered with the Liberian Administration, the Administration is to be invited to attend, and to discuss and agree with the concept of design, including any alternate or equivalent arrangement applied to the vessel design, and the technologies to be applied before conducting the HAZID or HAZOP
The results of the HAZID or HAZOP, along with details of the risks, and how they will be mitigated, shall be documented and submitted to the Administration for its review and acceptance.
If required, the Administration can issue a formal general acceptance letter/preliminary approval statement prior to the completion of construction and registration of a vessel.
The Administration will issue an Equivalency Certificate upon completion of construction and registration of a vessel, near its delivery date and notify the IMO accordingly.
A copy of the Equivalency Certificate and approved documentation indicating that the alternative design and arrangements have been found to comply with the applicable requirements are to be carried on board the ship.
Noise code
The Administration shall be notified in case dispensations from certain requirements of the noise code are required.
Pending entry into force of draft amendments to SOLAS II-1/3-12, the Administration is applying Resolution A.468 (XII) to ships contracted before 1 July 2014; and keel laid on or after 1 January 2015; and the delivery is before 1 July 2018, as provided for in MSC.1/Circ.1547.
Polar Code
Refer to SAF-009, displayed in Marine Notice SAF-009 - Implementation, Survey and Certification under the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code).
MARPOL 73/78
Annex I - IOPP certificate
Retention of oil on board - Slop tank arrangement
(MARPOL 73/78, Regulation I/15)
Connection between sludge tank and slop tank to receive machinery oil residues should be constructed as an “other means for the control of sludge”. Capacity of sludge tank to amount 1 m3 or 2 m3 as appropriate.
Oil filtering equipment - Spares
(MARPOL 73/78, Regulation I/16)
There is no Administration requirement for spares.
The Administration has a requirement for the continued efficiency of the equipment, but the achievement of this is the responsibility of the owner.
(POL-001 - §1.1.1, see Marine Notice POL-001 - MARPOL, Prevention of Pollution from Ships)
Any 15 ppm oil water separators and bilge alarm, which previously met the standards found in either MEPC Resolution 60(33) or IMO Resolution A.393(X) and which is found defective and must be replaced, will have to be replaced by equipment meeting the new standards found in MEPC Resolution 107(49), as amended.
Tanks for oil residues (sludge)
(MARPOL 73/78, Regulation I/17)
Connecting residue from a sludge tank to fuel oil bunker tanks is acceptable provided that sludge tank capacity is sufficient for receiving one day’s production of residues.
Regulation 12A
(Email from the Flag Administration dated 16/03/2015)
For existing ships delivered before 1st August 2010 (ship not subject to MARPOL 12 A at delivery stage):
It should not be considered as a major conversion, when the ship modification only consists in converting existing fuel and /or non fuel tanks into low sulfur oil tanks, with an overpassing of 600m3 fuel capacity.
For ships delivered on or after 1st August 2010 (ship subject to MARPOL 12 A at delivery stage):
When overpassing of 600m3 fuel capacity after modification of fuel and /or non fuel tanks into low sulfur oil tanks, MARPOL Annex I 12A requirements should be applied to capacities that make that the 600m3 limit to be overpassed. Outflow calculation may be undertaken on the global fuel capacity of ship.
Incinerator
(MARPOL 73/78, Regulation I/17)
For acceptance, the incinerator (or other means) should have a daily capacity of at least:
(K.C.D - V)/30
K: 0.01 for FO, 0.005 for DO,
C: Daily fuel consumption in metric tonnes,
D: Number of days between 2 ports where the sludge can be discharged,
V: Sludge tank capacity.
The incinerator shall be inspected during annual surveys.
Pumping, piping and discharge arrangements on oil tankers
(MARPOL 73/78, Regulation I/18)
Small diameter line other means: an acceptable method could be via any other installed piping system such as COW, provided the connection to shore and to a cargo or slop tank remains and the cross-sectional area relationships are maintained to be treated on a case by case basis.
SOPEP - Approval
(MARPOL 73/78, Regulation I/37)
The SOPEP may be approved either by the Administration or by Recognised Organisation (RO) on its behalf.
Marine Notice POL-003 is displayed in Marine Notice POL-003 - Approval of Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan or a Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans.
CAS
Refer to POL-008, annexed in Marine Notice POL-008 - MARPOL Annex I - CAS, for specific instruction.
Use of Electronic Oil Record Books
Refer to Marine Notice POL-012 on “Electronic Record Books (ERB) for Ships” in attached files.
Refer also to attached file “MEPC.1-Circ.877 - Communication received Liberia.pdf”.
Annex II - NLS certificate
(POL-001, §1.2.1 - see Marine Notice POL-001 - MARPOL, Prevention of Pollution from Ships)
For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2007 the maximum permitted residue in the tank and its associated piping left after discharge will be set at a maximum of 75 litres for products in categories X, Y and Z - compared with previous limits which set a maximum of 100 or 300 litres, depending on the product category.
Annex IV - ISPP certificate
(POL-001, §1.4 - see Marine Notice POL-001 - MARPOL, Prevention of Pollution from Ships)
This Annex was ratified by Liberia on 21 August 2006 and became effective on 21 November 2006 for Liberian flag ships of 400 gross tons and above; and ships of less than 400 gross tons which are certified to carry more than 15 persons, engaged in international voyages and built on or after that date. Liberian flag vessels built before 21 November 2006 must comply from 21 November 2011.
Annex V
Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
Marine Notice POL-013, which is displayed in Marine Notice POL-013 - Implementation of revised Annex V of MARPOL, provides specific Liberian requirements for compliance with Revised Annex V.
Annex VI
Marine Notice POL-009, which is displayed in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL, provides specific Liberian requirements for compliance with Annex VI.
Certification of engines under the NOX code (Regulation VI/5(3))
(Tech. Letter N.36)
The society is authorised to certify marine engines on behalf of the Administration, according to the provisions of the NOX code pending the entry into force of MARPOL 73/78, Annex IV.
NOx compliance for non-identical replacement marine engines
(RCS meeting dated 19/10/2017)
The following concerns a major conversion under MARPOL Annex VI, involving the replacement of a marine diesel engine with a non-identical marine diesel engine. The standards in regulation 13 at the time of the replacement or addition of the engine shall apply. In the case of replacement engines only, if it is not possible for such a replacement engine to meet the standards for Tier III, then that replacement engine shall meet the standards for Tier II, taking into account guidelines in MEPC Resolution 230(65).
The Owner/Operator shall report to the Administration what specifically prevents installation of a Tier III engine. The information to be provided shall include the search for a Tier III engine and explain why the closest available engine with respect to commercial availability, size or performance as a result of fitting a NOx reducing device is not appropriate for the ship. The search shall include engines produced by manufacturers other than the original engine's manufacturer.
The Administration will not consider commercial concerns as a viable reason to exempt an engine from Tier III standards.
Recognised Organisation (RO) Surveyor may also be required to verify that a Tier III engine cannot be installed and provide a survey report. Upon satisfactory review of the documentation provided, the Administration will issue an endorsement letter which shall be kept with the replacement engine's EIAPP Certificate.
IMO Data Collection System (DCS) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)
Verifiers
(Marine Operations Note 07/2022 and POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
At owner's option, the single service provider to cover EU MRV, IMO DCS, SEEMP Parts II and III, and CII may be:
Classification Societies recognized by Liberia that have achieved EU MRV verifier accreditation (Classification Society Verifiers); or
Independent EU MRV accredited verifiers (non-Classification Society Verifiers)
Verifiers (Classification Society or non-Classification Society authorized by the Administration to provide EU MRV, IMO DCS, SEEMP Parts II and III, and CII verifications services) are listed in the updated Appendix 1 on the Regulations and Standards Department (formally Technical) tab / MARPOL Annex VI under Maritime on the Registry’s website:
https://www.liscr.com/marpol-annex-vi
The same Verifier carries out combined compliance service covering the EU MRV, IMO DCS, SEEMP Parts II and III, and CII regulations, irrespective of the Classification Society of the ship.
EU MRV, IMO DCS, SEEMP Parts II and III, and CII
(Marine Operations Note 07/2022, POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL and Confidential Agreement see Authorization)
The Verifier will undertake the below combined verification work covering the EU MRV, IMO DCS, SEEMP Parts II and III, and CII.
For EU MRV:
The Verifier will conduct the complete verification services, including issuance of the approval documentation and reporting.
For IMO DCS, SEEMP Parts II and III, and CII:
The Verifier will conduct the verification services and the Administration will issue the approval documentation (Confirmation of Compliance and Statement of Compliance) and report the required data to IMO.
The Verifier shall provide the Administration with:
- a recommendation regarding the issuance of a “Confirmation of Compliance” for the updated SEEMP Parts II and/or III and a “Statement of Compliance” for fuel oil consumption data and/or operational carbon intensity rating, by the Administration, made pursuant to a review and examination, by the Verifier, of required IMO DCS, SEEMP Parts II and/or III and CII vessel documentation; and
- information, within 14 days of a successful review and examination, by the Verifier, required for the Administration to issue the Confirmation of Compliance and Statement of Compliance including, but not limited to:
Annual data for the Bunker Delivery Notes (BDN) summaries in the format as per appendix 1 of IMO Resolution MEPC.348(78);
Annual data for the collected data summaries in the format as per appendix 2 of IMO Resolution MEPC.348(78); The web-service “WayPoint”, implemented by Liberia (https://waypoint.liscr.com) is to be used;
Confirmation that the updated SEEMP Parts II and/or III complies with the requirements of Regulation 26 of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI;
Confirmation that the annual fuel oil consumption report complies with Part II of the updated SEEMP and the requirements of Regulation 27 of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI; Confirmation that the attained annual operational CII and operational carbon intensity rating complies with Part III of the updated SEEMP and the requirements of Regulation 28 of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI.
The Administrator retains the right to manage and/or perform the following:
- Issuance of SEEMP Parts II and III Confirmation of Compliance with Regulation 26 of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI;
- Issuance of annual fuel oil consumption and operational carbon intensity rating Statement of Compliance with Regulations 27 and 28 of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI;
- Conducting verification and company audits of the SEEMP in relation to verification of Carbon Intensity Rating ;
- On-board verification of Confirmation of Compliance for SEEMP Parts II and III and Statement of Compliance; and
- Mandatory annual IMO DCS reporting under Regulation 27 of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI.
Submissions when a ship changes Flag and/or Company
For instance, when a ship changes flag to Liberia or there has been a Company change on 1 April 2023 and the ship is not a new-build ship that was just delivered to Liberia:
The Verifier shall submit fuel oil data for the period 1 April 2023 - 31 December 2023. The losing flag shall submit fuel oil data from 1 January 2023 – 31 March 2023
The Verifier shall submit fuel oil consumption data for the period 1 April 2023 – 31 December 2023. The Verifier shall calculate and report the attained CII data for the whole 12 month calendar year from 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023.
Specific requirements for reporting
Upon satisfactory examination of the SEEMP Part II and III, the CD (with copy to MOC) is to send an email to planapproval@liscr.com, with following information:
the email shall indicate: “The SEEMP Part II (or III) has been satisfactorily examined and found in compliance with the applicable requirements, and therefore Recognised Organisation (RO) recommends a Confirmation of Compliance to be issued by the Administration”
attach a copy of the SEEMP Part II or Part III (Recognised Organisation (RO) not to stamp or approve the SEEMP)
attach a copy of the verification checklist or equivalent
For SEEMP reviewed by Recognised Organisation (RO) Greece, planapproval@liscr.gr is to be copied.
Other annual reporting:
At the end of each calendar year, C&R_STAT will provide the following information:
- accreditation certificate from the accreditation body;
- lead verifiers engaged by Recognised Organisation (RO) for services under the IMO DCS and CII;
- Liberian flagged vessels verified in the calendar year;
- Liberian flagged vessels contracted for the following year; and
- a consolidated XML file with the required data and format as per paragraph 2.a(ii) of the “Monitoring, Collection, Verification, Authorization and Reporting Agreement” (see Authorization).
Information for IMO DCS Reporting
(Administration email dated 03/04/2020)
For periods resulting from change of flag and/or change in Manager/Company, Liberia accepts manual PDF/EXCEL files.
Verification of SEEMP Part II
(Administration email dated 19/08/2022)
As of 10 June 2022, all SEEMP part II being submitted to Recognised Organisation (RO) for review and verification should be developed/reviewed against the 2022 Guidelines for development of SEEMP MEPC. Resolution 346(78). In particular, substantial changes under section 7.4 for LNG fuel and reference to MEPC Resolution 308(73) for carbon factors.
Interim guidance on the use of Biofuels
(Marine Advisory 18/2023)
Biofuels that have been certified by an International certification scheme (such as ICAO’s CORSIA approved sustainability certification scheme) or other International certification schemes acceptable to the Administration, meeting the sustainability criteria and the conditions below are eligible for a reduced Cf:
Biofuels that provide well-to-wake GHG emission reduction of at least 65% as compared to well-to-wake emissions of fossil MGO;
Achieving emission intensity not exceeding 33gCO2eq/MJ;
Proof of sustainability or equivalent documentation from a recognized scheme should be provided along with the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) to facilitate verification of the reported biofuel consumption.
The assigned Cf is equal to the value of the well-to-wake GHG emissions of the fuel according to the certificate (expressed in gCO2eq/MJ) multiplied by its lower calorific value (LCV, expressed in MJ/g) for the corresponding amount of fuels consumed by the ship. In any case, the Cf value of a biofuel cannot be less than 0. For biofuel blends, the Cf should be based on the weighted average of the Cf for the respective amount of fuels by energy.
However, Biofuels that are not certified as ‘sustainable’ or not fulfilling the well-to-wake emission factor criterion above should be assigned a Cf equivalent to Cf of fossil fuel type.
This guidance is applicable from October 01, 2023. However, the Administration will consider crediting for the use of biofuel from January 01, 2023, provided the criteria as mentioned above in the IMO circular are met and supporting documentary evidence is available for verification.
Conversion factor (Cf)
(POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
If fuel oils are used that do not fall into one of the categories as described in the 2018 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships (MEPC Resolution 308(73)), as amended, and have no CO2 Emission Conversion Factor (Cf) assigned (e.g. some hybrid fuel oils, biofuels or biofuel blends, other alternative fuels), the fuel oil supplier should provide a Cf for the respective product supported by documentary evidence and the SEEMP updated and verified prior reporting the data to the Administration.
Submission of Amended SEEMP Part II and Reporting of Revised Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Data
(Marine Advisory 40/2025)
Shipowners and Operators, of ships with SEEMP Part II already onboard their ships, are encouraged to submit their ships’ amended SEEMP Part II as soon as possible, for review and verification to one of the authorized Verifiers.
The Verifier shall verify the SEEMP Part II taking into account the 2024 Guidelines for the development of a SEEMP, as amended, using the web-service/API being developed for this purpose, no later than 1 November 2025.
Submission of Fuel Oil Consumption and Operational Carbon Intensity Data with Additional Granularity
(Marine Advisory 09/2025)
Until 31 December 2025, shipowners and operators can still provide data to their verifiers with the previous level of granularity established in 2023, or they can voluntarily provide data with additional granularity established in 2025. Verifiers can continue to submit data using WayPoint (https://waypoint.liscr.com) or the LISCR API (in either the 2023 or 2025 formats until 31 December 2025). On or after 1 January 2026, vessel, fuel oil consumption and operational carbon intensity data must be submitted in the 2025 format.
(Marine Advisory 40/2025)
Verifiers shall verify and submit fuel oil consumption and annual operational carbon intensity (CII) data for calendar year 2026, using the ‘2025 Fuel Oil Consumption Schema’ on the API developed for this purpose. The ‘2023 Fuel Oil Consumption Schema’ will be discontinued on 1 January 2026 for submitting 2026 calendar year data.
Company and Shipboard Audits of the SEEMP
(Marine Advisory 01/2026)
The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to provide information to all Shipowners, Operators, Masters and Recognized Organizations on the Administration’s procedure for implementing Company and Shipboard audits of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) in Marine Notice ISM-001 and MEPC Resolution 347(78).
The Administration has decided to extend the due date of the Company audits for calendar year 2025 to 31 December 2026.
This Marine Advisory is valid until 31 December 2026; the Administration will review this procedure after 31 December 2026 and provide revised procedures, in case of any changes.
Total distance travelled
(RCSM - September 2025)
The “total distance” travelled in calculations for attained CII, is the sum of distance travelled “underway” from FAOP to EOSP and distance travelled when “not underway”.
Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) - Equivalency under Reg. 4.2 of MARPOL Annex VI
(RCSM meeting dated October 2018)
The Administration doesn’t consider it as a major conversion under MARPOL Annex VI for retro-fits on existing ships.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide following information prior issuing equivalency in IAPP:
Project information -ship, manufacturer, make/model/type
Approved ETM, SECP, OMM, EGC Record Book
Statement to verify compliance upon initial survey (“Confirmation Letter”, see the related survey procedure)
SECC for scheme A
The Administration reviews and submits the alternative compliance to IMO.
Recognised Organisation (RO) issues IAPP supplement for alternative compliance - section 2.6
Issuance of IAPP certificate further to EGCS installation
(Administration email dated 05/07/2019)
Upon completion of EGCS initial survey after its commissioning, attending surveyor subject to satisfactory verification, may issue an interim IAPP certificate with its supplement endorsed as required to allow the use of the EGCS by the ship.Recognised Organisation (RO) will then as soon as possible thereof, submit to Liberia flag the confirmation letter of satisfactory survey and the approved documentation for the acceptance of the equivalency under the provision of regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI.Upon receipt of Liberia Flag's acceptance, Recognised Organisation (RO) will proceed with the issuance of definitive certificate.
Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
(Marine Operations Note 07/2022 and POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
This Marine Operations Note and Marine Notice POL provide Administration’s intention in respect to the delegation of responsibility to the Classification society or non-Classification society for providing the verification and certification services for the new EEXI, CII and Enhanced SEEMP requirements.
EEXI
The intention is that EEXI will be delegated to the classification society of the ship. However, footnote 1 of Marine Operations Note 07/2022, provides an alternative that is not encouraged by the Administration and that will be agreed on a case by case basis:
Shipowners/Operators that may wish to use another RO for their fleet should contact the Administration to discuss and agree on the possible consequences and solutions.
(RCSM 2024)
Ships occasionally carrying dry bulk cargo
(RCSM 2021)
For ships which occasionally carry dry bulk cargoes in bulk and are not determined as bulk carriers in accordance with regulation 2,25 of MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 1.1 of SOLAS Chapter XII, the Administration will consider these ships as general cargo ships under MARPOL Annex VI, provided the following criteria are fulfilled:
Have limited seagoing conditions with dry cargo as opposed to many seagoing conditions in the loading manual;
Generally, box shaped cargo holds;
Review history of cargoes carried in last 5 years indicates ships engaged primarily of non-bulk cargoes;
A statement from the class society attesting to the application of paragraph 1.6 under resolution MSC.277(85);
Safety Management Certificate (SMC) issued as ‘other cargo ship’.
Exclusion of heavy load carriers from general cargo
(RCSM 2021)
For excluding heavy load carriers from the definition of general cargo ships under MARPOL Annex VI, until a unified interpretation is available, the Administration will consider the following criteria:
For geared multipurpose general cargo vessel:
SWL * outreach * 2 >= 2 * 0.67 * Displacement@T * (H – T) / B
Where:
SWL: Safe working load of single largest craneOutreach: maximum outreach of this crane on the SWL measured from the turning axis of the craneH: depth of vesselT: freeboard draft of vesselB: vessel breadth
For gearless multipurpose general cargo ships and deck carriers:
It can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Administration that the vessel has been designed and constructed for the carriage of heavy and / or outsized individual cargoes which may be carried on deck or in hold(s).
ShaPoli without controlled feedback (IACS Rec.172 §6.6) and independent from engine automation
(RCSM meeting dated 27 October 2022 and POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
These ShaPoli are acceptable on a case by case basis subject to flag Administration acceptance and subject to the follows:
Override of limitation indicated by alarm on bridge.
In case of exceedance, power shall be manually reduced within the limit.
In case of deliberate use of reserve power, data recording shall commence automatically and flag Administration notified.
Data recording and processing system shall be tamper proof:
prevents overriding the limitation without authorization,
prevents intentionally disabling the alerting monitoring system,
prevents intentionally disabling sensors, control unit, data recording and processing devices.
Data record may be examined during shipboard ISM audit.
If the SHaPoLi system referred above is used, the Administration will require the machinery space be manned in accordance with the shipboard SMS (and addressed in the OMM, if applicable) during critical operating conditions (such as adverse weather, piracy attack, immediate action taken to avoid collision, maneuvering), other than normal seagoing conditions.
For any unintentional exceedance of engine power limit due to engine load, the Administration will accept a five (5) minutes delay before recording commences.
Refer also to EIAPP recertification - Minimum power requirement and maneuvring charts or posters.
Delayed installation of EPL/SHaPoLi
(Marine Advisory 16/2023)
When notification is received from shipowner/operator that the installation of required Shaft/Engine Power Limitation systems is delayed, it is required that an Interim OMM be provided to Recognised Organisation (RO) for verification (if Recognised Organisation (RO) is unable to verify it due to time restraints, then it may be submitted to the Administration for review and verification at planapproval@liscr.com).
The Interim OMM is to describe how the energy efficiency requirements will be managed by manual control until the Shaft/Engine Power Limitation system is installed by providing technical and operational conditions so that the power limitation method satisfies the compliance with the EEXI requirements.
The Interim OMM should also include procedures for use of reserve power, including recording and notification of same without delay to the Administration at Regsandstandards@liscr.com and competent authority at the relevant port of destination, using the standardized format in the Annex to the Marine Advisory 16/2023. Consideration should be given to implementing the measures in the verified SEEMP with respect to the required CII during this period.
Upon receipt of the verified Interim OMM, the Administration will issue a letter authorizing the use of the Interim OMM for the time necessary to install the SHaPoLi/EPL system and authorize the issuance (by Recognised Organisation (RO)) of a short term IEEC for the same period along with the re-issuance of the record of construction related to the IEEC duly completed in the revised format prescribed in Appendix VIII of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI. The IAPP survey should be completed and the IAPP certificate endorsed or renewed after completion of the survey.
The short term IEEC should be issued with an annotation that “the Administration has permitted the implementation measures for temporary compliance with the EEXI requirements in the interim OMM, pending installation of the SHaPoLi/EPL system.”
EIAPP recertification - Minimum power requirement and maneuvring charts or posters
(RCSM meeting dated 27 October 2022 and POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
In cases where the ShaPoLi/EPL system is applied and no changes are made to NOx critical settings and/or components outside what is allowed by the engine technical file as defined in the 2008 NOx Technical Code (NTC 2008), new NOx certification is not needed.
In case of NOx re-certification, for an EEDI-certified ship where the SHaPoLi/EPL system is applied at a power below the minimum power requirement of EEDI, the certified engine power (MCR for NOx) should be at the minimum required EEDI power.
Vessels with overridable power limitation need to be provided with two sets of maneuvering charts or posters in the wheelhouse: one covering the vessel capabilities in un-limiting mode and one covering the vessel capabilities in limiting mode.
Vessels with non-overridable power limitation are to be provided with new maneuvering charts or posters in the wheelhouse. Any ship’s certificates that refer to engine (propulsion) power should be reissued to indicate the limited engine power.
Refer also to Ship maneuverability requirements.
Calculation of Vref
(RCSM meeting dated 27 October 2022)
For EEDI ships, Vref is calculated from an approved speed-power curve.
For Non-EEDI ships, Vref is calculated either from an estimated speed-power of by sea trial results that have been calibrated by the tank test under EEDI draft and specified sea conditions.If speed-power curve is not available or sea trial report does not contain EEDI or design load draft condition:
Vref can be obtained from in-service performance measurement conducted and verified in accordance with MEPC.1/Circ.901.
As far as practicable, in-service performance measurement should be witnessed by the class society surveyor.
Surveyor should be able to confirm that the in-service performance measurement was conducted in accordance with agreed principles.
Fuel oil sampling points
(POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
Fuel oil sampling points should take into account different fuel oil grades being used for the fuel oil combustion machinery.
A single sampling point may be acceptable for a common fuel oil supply line serving one or more fuel oil consumers.
For each grade of fuel oil being used on board a ship and for each fuel oil supply line serving one or more consumers, a sampling point should be provided, regardless of the fuel oil consumer.
Sampling points for locations such as incinerator pilot fuel, inert gas generator, emergency generator and engines driving hydraulic power packs should be considered.
The number and location of the sampling points will be confirmed by attending Class surveyor and the designated sampling points will be reflected on the new IAPP certificate issued upon completion of the renewal survey.
It is to be noted that the above requirements are not applicable to a fuel oil service system for a low-flashpoint fuel for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board the ship
De-harmonization of IAPP
(POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
The Administration notes there is no requirement in Regulation 9 of MARPOL ANNEX VI or the Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), Assembly Resolution 1156(32) that prohibits a shipowner or operator from completing an IAPP renewal survey early or to de-harmonize the IAPP certificate from other statutory certificates.
The Administration encourages shipowners and operators to maintain the harmonization of all statutory certificates in accordance with the HSSC, however, recognizes that there may be circumstances where the shipowner or operator determines de-harmonization is necessary and decides on this course of action. In such cases, the owner should inform the Administration and Recognised Organisation (RO) that issued the affected HSSC certificates.
If the IAPP certificate is de-harmonized, the shipowner or operator should ensure action is taken for its future harmonization with all statutory certificates under the HSSC at the earliest practical opportunity
Biofuels
(POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
In accordance with MEPC.1/Circ.795, as amended, for engines which can operate on a biofuel or a biofuel blend, without changes to its NOx critical components or settings/operating values outside those as given by that engines’ approved Technical File, the ship is permitted to use such a fuel oil without having to undertake the assessment as given by regulation 18.3.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI related to NOx emission limits.
Where:
fuel oils are derived from methods other than petroleum refining,
or fuel oil which is a blend of more than 30% by volume of biofuel and does not fall under paragraph above,
or other fuels required to undertake the assessment as given by regulation 18.3.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI and for which have not been specifically certified in accordance with the regulation 13 limits at test bed for that specific fuel and Engine Group/Family,
the ship's IAPP Certificate may continue to be issued where the overall NOx emissions performance has been verified to not cause the specified engine to exceed the applicable NOx emissions limit when burning said fuels using:
the onboard simplified measurement method in accordance with 6.3 of the NOx Technical Code 2008,
or the direct measurement and monitoring method in accordance with 6.4 of the NOx Technical Code 2008,
or by reference to relevant test-bed testing.
For the purposes of demonstration of compliance with regulation 18.3.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI, and as applicable to possible deviations when undertaking measurements on board, an allowance of 10% of the applicable limit may be accepted.
And, in accordance with regulation 3.2 of MARPOL Annex VI, the Administration will, in co-operation with other Administrations as appropriate, consider issuing an exemption from the requirements of regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI regarding NOx limits. The exemption will be issued for the minimum number of ships necessary and for the period necessary to demonstrate compliance with NOx emission limits.
Unmanned Non-Self-Propelled (UNSP) Barges
(Marine Advisory 22/2022)
(POL-009 in Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL)
Unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) barge means a barge that (i) is not propelled by mechanical means; (ii) carries no oil; (iii) has neither persons nor living animals on board; and:
to be exempt from MARPOL Annex I, has no machinery fitted that may use oil or generate oil residue (sludge) and has no oil fuel tank, lubricating oil tank, oily bilge water holding tank and oil residue (sludge) tank;
to be exempt from MARPOL Annex IV, is not used for holding sewage during transport; and has no arrangements that could produce sewage;
to be exempt from MARPOL Annex VI, has no system, equipment and/or machinery fitted that may generate emissions regulated by this Annex.
Vessel Owners/Operators should apply to Recognised Organisation (RO) acting on its behalf, with relevant information on the exemption conditions for UNSP barges and relevant drawings (General Arrangement Plan, Capacity Plan and any other plans or documents, as necessary). Recognised Organisation (RO) will review the relevant information to confirm that the requirements for the exemptions are met.
After a satisfactory review, a survey of the UNSP barge should be carried out to confirm the actual arrangements on board comply with the exemption conditions. Based on satisfactory results of the survey, 5-month interim exemption certificates for the UNSP barge from Surveys and Certification requirements under MARPOL Annexes I, IV and/or VI may be issued by Recognised Organisation (RO).
Recognised Organisation (RO) should then send copies of the 5-month interim Exemption certificates to the Administration at regandstandards@liscr.com, for issuance of the full term Exemption certificates.
BWM Convention
Authorization
Prior to entry into force of the BWM Convention, Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to issue an IBWM certificate, subject to Issuance of IBWM certificate & BWMP approval below, with the following endorsement: "The validity of this certificate begins from 8 September 2017", combined with a Statement issued to the Company when the BWM Plan was received thereby allowing the vessel to trade for three months with an unapproved BWM Plan on board.
Upon installation of BWMS, Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to carry out the installation survey, and approve the operations and technical manual for the BWMS specific to the ship.
For further information, refer to attached file “LISCR MarineAdvisory_14_2016.pdf.pdf”.
Use of Electronic Record Books
Refer to Marine Notice POL-012 on “Electronic Record Books (ERB) for Ships” in attached files.
Application of the BWM convention to certain ships/units
(RCS meeting dated 19/10/2017)
Liberia has excluded a few ships from application of the Convention based on Article 3.2(f) of the Convention where ballast water is carried permanently in tanks and not discharged to sea. If discharged for controlling draft, trim, stresses or during renewal survey, then the ballast needs to be managed. Fresh water taken in the aft peak tank for cargo tank cleaning or grey water stored in aft peak tank during port calls need not be managed.
While the Convention applies to MODU/FPSO/FSO, Liberia does not require these to be certified under the Convention if they uptake and discharge ballast at the same location, unless required by the coastal State.
Issuance of IBWM certificate & BWMP approval
(Marine Operations Note 02/2017, see attached file “Marine Ops Note_02-2017”)
From 22nd April 2017, the Administration will review and approve all BWM Plans (D-1, D-2, D-1 and D-2), and issue IBWM Certificates for existing Liberian flagged ships implementing only the BWE standard in regulation D-1.
Owners and operators requiring approval of BWM Plans, and IBWM Certificates for existing Liberian flagged ships implementing only the BWE standard in regulation D-1, shall provide the following information to the Administration at Regsandstandards@liscr.com
Verification that the BWM Plan required by regulation B-1 comply fully with the requirements of the BWM Convention;
Verification that the approved BWM Plan and record book are on-board and being implemented;
Company attests that no modifications or conditions on-board affecting ballast operations and ballast water exchange have been made since last periodical survey;
Declaration from the ship’s Master that the BWM Plan; BW Record Book; and notification or communication with coastal States is being implemented and that the BWM officer has been designated and the crew have been provided with the necessary training and familiarization; and
A copy of the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate.
Item iii) and implementation of item iv) will be verified at the next attendance of the flag State inspector.
The Administration will not require a separate initial on-board BWM survey when they issue a IBWM Certificate according to D-1only, from the 22nd April 2017, for existing ships which are not yet required to implement the ballast water performance standard in regulation D-2.
In case of Owner’s request for approval of BWM plan (D-1, D-2, D-1 and D-2), survey and/or issuance of IBWM certificate for D-1 only, from the 22 April 2017, the Owner is to directed to Liberia Technical Department at Regsandstandards@liscr.com
BWM Plan approval
From 22nd April 2017, the Administration will review and approve all BWM plans (D-1, D-2, D-1 and D-2).
If the BWMP has been approved by RO before 22nd April 2017, then it is not required to be approved by Liberia (However, in accordance with POL-005, any changes to the BWM Plan are required to be approved by the Administration). But if the BWMP was never approved by any RO, then it can only be approved by Liberia from the 22nd April 2017.
BWM plans submitted to an authorized RO for review prior to 22 April 2017 may be approved by the RO. After that date all BWM plans shall be submitted to the Administration for review and approval.
In case Shipyard already paid RO for review and approval of the BWM plan prior to delivery of the ship then RO may review and approve.
Upon receiving a BWM Plan for review and approval, the Administration will issue a statement when the plan was received, thereby allowing the ship to trade for three months with an unapproved BWM Plan on board.
Refer to POL-005 annexed in Marine Notice POL-005 - Ballast Water Management Plans.
Issuance of IBWM Certificate
If the ship is implementing only D-1 and the IBWM Certificate has been issued by RO before 22nd April 2017, then it is not required to have it re-issued by Liberia (the certificate remains valid until expiry or D-2 whichever earlier).
If the ship is implementing only D-1, and the IBWM Certificate has not yet been issued, then IBWM Certificate can only issued by Liberia from the 22nd April 2017.
(Statements of Compliance issued to existing ships implementing only the BWE standard in regulation D-1 shall be replaced with IBWM Certificates issued by the Administration.)
If the ship is implementing both D-1 & D-2, or D-2 only, then the RO can still issue the IBWM Certificate
Change of flag to Liberia
(RCSM meeting dated 19/10/2017)
International BWM certificate for D-1 only is issued by the Administration at change of flag.
When an IBWMC for D-1 only has been issued by a RO prior to 22 April 2017, then Recognised Organisation (RO) may, subject to prior authorization from Administration, re-issue the IBWMC for D-1 only on or after 22 April 2017 provided that the Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyor verifies the following during the change of flag to Liberia: approved BWM plan on board, BW record book, reporting requirements, crew training and familiarization, BWM officer designated, survey of structure, piping and systems (Email from the Administration dated 10/05/2017).
Date installed
(POL-014 in Marine Notice POL-014 - Implementation, Survey and Certification BWM Convention)
For the purpose of completing the International Ballast Water Management Certificate, “Date installed” in relation to “Method of ballast water management used” shall be the date when commissioning has been completed (see Commissioning test) in accordance with section 8 of the Guidelines (G8) or the BWMS Code, as applicable.
Type Approval Certificates
Unless otherwise instructed, ROs receiving requests for type approval of BWMSs on behalf of this Administration are to forward these to the Administration for review and type approval.
Potential operational limitations are identified and listed on the Liberian Type Approval Certificate issued to the manufacturer.
Procedures for submitting Type Approval of BWMS evaluated under the current IMO Guidelines including a list of BWMS assessed by Liberia can be found on its website. https://www.liscr.com/maritime/ballast-water-type-approvals
De-harmonization of IOPP certificate
(Marine Advisory 14/2016)
The Administration has agreed shipowners may decide if they wish to renew a ships IOPP certificate earlier than scheduled in order to have an additional 4 to 5 years to see if new equipment becomes available (No prior agreement is required from the Administration).
Re-harmonization of previously de-harmonized IOPP certificate before D-2 date
(RCSM meeting dated 19/10/2017)
A previously de-harmonized IOPP may be re-harmonized before D-2 date, subject to the following:
Upon the request of a shipowner
Survey records of the vessel are not to be amended
If IOPP de-harmonization was done outside of any survey range dates then the IOPP early renewal survey is considered as void
The IOPP certificate is to be endorsed after carrying out appropriate survey according to HSSC paragraph 5.6
If IOPP de-harmonization was done within survey range dates then the renewal survey is considered as done in-lieu of the annual/intermediate survey
The re-issued IOPP certificate is to be endorsed accordingly
The IOPP certificate is to be issued with a new issuance date.
BWM Surveys for certificates according to D-1 only if issued by the Administration
(RCSM meeting dated 19/10/2017)
In case of an IBWM certificate issued by the Administration according to D-1 only (from the 22 April 2017), then the Administration will also carry out subsequent surveys and renewal of certificate, until such time shipowner requests D-2.
Commissioning test
(POL-014 in Marine Notice POL-014 - Implementation, Survey and Certification BWM Convention)
Upon installation and commissioning of the BWMS on board, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall conduct an installation survey in accordance with the Guidelines (G8) or the BWMS Code, as applicable and which shall ensure that the required documentation is on board in a suitable format.
From 1st June 2022 the survey shall confirm that a commissioning test has been conducted to validate the installation of any ballast water management system to demonstrate that its mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes are working properly, taking into account the guidelines in BWM.2/Circ.70/Rev.1.
In case an installed BWMS on board a ship undergoes an upgrade or change to a major component as defined under paragraph 3.9 of the BWMS Code, the BWMS should be regarded as a newly installed BWMS. A commissioning test should be conducted in accordance with regulation E-1.1.5 of the BWM Convention and an International Ballast Water Management Certificate (IBWMC) for that ship should be re-issued accordingly.
(RCSM meeting dated 27 October 2022)
Regulation E-1 and BWM.2/Circ.70/Rev.1 does not require or provide for a complete D-2 testing to be carried out, just an indicative test for 10-50 and over 50 micron organism.
Indicative analysis is defined in BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2, as may be amended.
Indicative analysis equipment used should be to the satisfaction of the Administration. The Administration will accept indicative analysis equipment in Table 3 of BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2 as may be amended.
The collection and analysis of the representative samples should be independent of the BWMS manufacturer or supplier and to the satisfaction of the Administration.
If a laboratory is used, it should be certified ISO/IEC 17025 for performing that work.
Guidance on operating in ports with challenging water quality
(RCSM 2024)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to note the conditions for BWMS bypass in challenging water quality (MEPC Resolution 387(81) and the survey requirements for BWRB entries in BWM.2/Circ.80/Rev.1.
Guidance for temporary storage of treated sewage and/or grey water in Ballast Water Tanks
(RCSM 2024)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to note the tank isolation guidance in BWM.2/Circ.82 and recording requirements in BWRB during surveys.
Ballast Water Record Book
(Administration email dated 01/07/2025)
The Administration confirms that the RLM-124/Rev.2024 (Ballast Water Record Book) and associated instructions are acceptable for use and need not be replaced by the 2025 version.
Tonnage 69
International Tonnage Certificate
The IMO number shall be written on the tonnage certificate.
Not later than 60 days after the issuance of the tonnage certificate, the TLO shall send electronic copies to the Administration (Regsandstandards@liscr.com), at the same time:
of the certificate,
of the Annex to the certificate.
Change of tonnage due to installation of EGCS and/or BWTS
(Administration email dated 12/12/2019)
The Administration’s policy is that when a vessel’s GT changes less than 1% due to such things as the installation of an EGCS and/or BWTS, the ITC does not have to be re-issued.
No annotation need be made to the existing ITC, Recognised Organisation (RO) issuing the certificate shall simply calculate the effect on the GT and the calculations kept in the vessel’s records as evidence that the effect will be less than 1%.
COLREG 72
Navigation lights
Contrary to its original statement, Liberia now accepts non-electrical navigation lights as long as they satisfy the relevant requirement of COLREG 72.
The following COLREG 72 tolerances are only applicable to vessels the keels of which were laid before 15 July 1977:
Annex 1 1.2(a)(i) - 0.5 metres,
2.2 (c) - 0.5 metres but at least 1 metre above the side lights,
3.2 (g) - 0.5 metres but at least 1 metre above the side lights,
4.2 (i) (i) - 0.5 metres,
5.2 (i) (ii) - 0.25 metres,
6.2 (k) - 0.5 metres,
7.3 (a) - 5 % but the requirements of 2(b) are to be complied with,
Rule 21(a) - for the after mashed light, the term “Unbroken” light over and “arc” may be accepted as being complied with if the light arc is not broken by more then 1 degree. The 1 degree shall not be abaft the beam.
Towing lights
The Administration does not require towing lights to be carried by ships which do not intend to undertake towing.
AFS
Untitled
(AFS-001)
Ships of above 400 gross tonnage engaged in international voyages, excluding fixed and floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs, are required to carry on board a valid International Anti-Fouling System certificate along with a Record of Anti-Fouling Systems verifying compliance with the convention.
The International Anti-Fouling System certificate ceases to be valid when the anti-fouling system is changed or replaced or is not endorsed in accordance with the AFS convention or upon transfer of the ship to the Flag of another State.
Transfer of Flag
A new International Anti-Fouling System certificate may be issued for a ship transferring into the Liberian registry based on the certificate issued by the previous Administration, provided the previous Administration is a Party to the convention, the record of Antifouling Systems is up to date and the certificate is valid at the time of the transfer.
ILO Conventions
Crew accommodations - ILO conventions 92 & 133
The provisions of ILO C-92 and ILO C-133 are in effect for all new build vessels registering under the Liberian Flag except for vessels required to comply with MLC 2006.
For new building surveys (except for vessels required to comply with MLC 2006), the report should indicate full compliance.
For existing ships (except for vessels required to comply with MLC 2006), the report should indicate the degree of compliance.
A Certificate of Compliance is shown in Crew accommodation - Certificate of Compliance - Sample.
Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979 - ILO convention 152
(Administration email dated 13/12/2018)
Liberia is not signatory to ILO Convention 152 which requires the cargo gear inspection.
However, the Administration recommends that ship-owners voluntarily comply with this Convention.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to carry out the necessary surveys and inspections required by ILO C152 and to issue a Statement of Compliance verifying that the vessel is in compliance with the requirements of ILO C152.
(Administration email dated 20/09/2022)
The Administration has no objection to the application of a window of +/-3 months on the annual/5-years inspection of cargo gear survey, for harmonization purposes, subject to Recognised Organisation (RO) agreement.
Miscellaneous technical requirements
National safety requirements for miscellaneous and non-SOLAS vessels
Refer to the Marine Notice INS-003, which is displayed in Marine Notice INS-003 (03/26) - National safety requirements for miscellaneous and non-SOLAS vessels.
Vessels not expressly covered by either the SOLAS 74 convention or the LL 66 convention should generally conform to its requirements to the extent that this is practicable. Qualifying vessels shall be issued a Liberian National Cargo Ship Safety Certificate. All surveys necessary for issuance and maintenance of the validity of the certificate are to be carried out by Recognised Organisation (RO). The certificate will be valid for five (5) years, running concurrently with the 5 year classification period between special surveys, but will be subject to annual verification surveys by the Recognised Organisation (RO)’s surveyors.
A copy of the certificate is to be sent by the MOC to: Regsandstandards@liscr.com
The Recognised Organisation (RO)’s surveyor upon completion of the annual verification shall endorse the certificate accordingly.
Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU) and Mobile Offshore Units (MOU)
The RLM-293, Liberian National Mobile Offshore Units Standards, contains the Liberian standards for all Mobile Offshore Units registered under the Liberian flag including MODUs and other non-cargo vessels that engage in offshore operations and industrial activities such as FPSO, FSO, FLRSU, non-self-propelled accommodation vessels, non-self-propelled cranes.
For further information, refer to attached file “RL-293 - Rev 12-15 Final”.
Specific National Mobile Offshore Unit Safety Certificate is available in Certificate Editor (see Specific Certificates: National and bilingual International certificates.).
Further to Administration email dated 09/06/2021, two versions of the MOU Safety Certificate are available:
If the unit was built/converted based on the standards in the 1989 or 2009 MODU Code, then the title of the Certificate is “Mobile Offshore Unit Safety Certificate” and the header shall include reference to the IMO MODU Code (1989) or (2009) in addition to the Liberian National Standards (RLM-293).
If the unit is not built/converted in accordance with any MODU Code, then the title of the Certificate is “National Mobile Offshore Unit Safety Certificate” and the header shall only reference the Liberian National Standards (RLM-293).
Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU)
Refer to the Marine Notice TEC-007, which is displayed in Marine Notice TEC-007 - Mobile Offshore Drilling Units.
Those units not covered by or not in full compliance with the IMO MODU codes, but which have operated successfully and safely during their service, will be eligible for issuance of a Liberian National MODU Safety Certificate.
Mobile Offshore Units (MOU)
Refer to the Marine Notice TEC-009, which is displayed in Marine Notice TEC-009 - Mobile Offshore Units.
Underwater Inspection of the Bottom in Lieu of Drydock (UWILD) and Extension of Bottom, Renewal, and Special Surveys for MODUs
(Technical Letter 2021-01)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to carry out MODU UWILD and to extend MODU bottom, renewal and special surveys for up to three (3) months, without prior permission from the Administration, subject to conditions provided in the Technical Letter 2021-01 (see attached files).
Immersion suits
(Technical Letter 2021-05)
The Administration authorizes Recognised Organisation (RO) to issue a five (5) months interim Exemption certificate exempting vessels from the immersion suits required by 2009 MODU Code, 10.12, 1989 MODU Code, 10.11, or Liberian National MOU Standards (RLM-293; see Marine Notice TEC-009) Chapter II, Section 8.7 or Chapter III, Section 6.1, for vessels constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates (see Marine Notice SAF-007 Rev. 07/20).
Recognised Organisation (RO) is requested to forward a copy of five (5) months interim Exemption certificate issued, along with the full term MO(D)U Safety certificate as applicable to RegsandStandards@liscr.com for issuance of the full term Exemption certificate by the Administration.
Fire protection equipment and life saving-equipment
The Liberian Administration will accept fire protection equipment for vessels registered with the Republic of Liberia, which have been approved by a major maritime authority or an IACS member on behalf of a national maritime authority, and also approved under the EU Marine Equipment Directive, as well as the lifesaving equipments according to Marine Notice SAF-001, SAF-006, SAF-007 (see Marine Notice SAF).
International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)
Medical Oxygen Carriage Requirements
The Medical oxygen cylinders and resuscitation equipment should be inspected and serviced annually, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Servicing should be carried out by trained competent personnel (e.g., a vessel’s licensed deck officers (e.g., 2nd Mate or Chief Mate) who has completed “Medical Care on board” training) and acceptable to the vessel's classification society.
“acceptable to the vessels classification society” means “in accordance with marker's instructions/requirements”.
Refer to the Marine Notice TEC-005, which is displayed in Marine Notice TEC-005 - IMDG Code and medical oxygen carriage requirements.
Carriage of more than twelve (12) industrial persons on vessels
The Administration permits the carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on vessels taking into account the provisions in MSC Resolution 418(97).
The Administration upon receiving a request for the carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on a vessel and satisfactory preliminary review of the interim recommendations may issue a letter permitting the carriage of industrial personnel on the vessel. Upon verification of the interim recommendations by the attending Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyor, Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized to annotate the relevant statutory certificate with the statement: “The vessel is permitted to carry up to (number of persons) over and above the Safety Equipment Certificate subject to the conditions provided in the letter dated (dd/mm/yyyy) with reference IMO#/INP/ddmmyy”.
International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code)
(SAF-013, displayed in Marine Notice SAF-013 - New SOLAS Chapter XV and International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code))
It is recommended that cargo ships and high-speed cargo craft (HSCC) constructed before 1st July 2024 that are not yet authorized by the Administration to carry more than 12 industrial personnel in accordance with the recommendations adopted by Resolution MSC.418(97), request and become authorized prior to 1 July 2024.
Upon verification of items 3 to 8 of §4.2 in SAF-013, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall insert an annotation on the Safety Construction Certificate, and on the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate on and after 1st July 2024, that the vessel has been authorized by the Administration to carry up to [number] of Industrial Personnel, with all the conditions under §4.2 indicated on the Certificate.
Ship Recycling & Inventory on Hazardous Materials (IHM)
The purpose of the Marine Notice POL-016 is to provide guidance on implementing the requirements of the Hong Kong Convention which enters into force on 26 June 2025 and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR), including the survey and certification of ships.
(RCSM - September 2025)
The International Ready for Recycling Certificate is not delegated to the ROs.
Requirements for IHM Expert Companies and Shipowners
IHM Expert Companies
The IHM for Liberian registered ships should be developed by IHM Expert Companies authorized by the Administration as meeting the criteria listed below and described in Appendix 3 of the Marine Notice POL-016.IHM Expert Companies desiring to be authorized by the Administration for conducting IHM related work described above, including maintaining and updating the IHM Part I on Liberian registered ships should make an application to the Administration at Regsandstandards@liscr.comand be able to demonstrate:
Independence - Include Organization structure and a list of all Individual IHM Experts engaged with a copy of each person’s training certification.
Quality - Include a certificate or report verifying that the IHM Expert Company has a documented quality system.
Accountability – Include a Statement from the Company with the elements described in appendix 2.
Accreditation and Certification – Include the following:
ISO 17020 certification or equivalent standard and ISO 17025 certification or equivalent standard of the laboratories used;
Approval by an IACS classification society as a service provider for visual/sampling checks and testing of hazardous materials and preparing the IHM.
IHM Expert Companies desiring to be authorized by the Administration (and IHM Expert Companies that have already been authorized by the Administration) shall, prior to authorization (and prior to renewal of authorization, as applicable), enter into an authorization and reporting agreement with the Administration. The IHM Expert Company will be directed to the Administration’s online portal for making the application and signing the agreement.
Shipowners
The responsibility for maintaining, updating and ascertaining the conformity of Part I of the IHM lies primarily with the ship owner. They have the duty of exercising due diligence when they appoint or instruct any person or party to conduct hazardous materials surveys, to compile reports or to perform any kind of work within the context of the IHM process. Appointing an IHM Expert Company to compile/update an IHM should, in principle, be considered as exercise of due diligence in order to meet the relevant requirements of the Hong Kong Convention.
Shipowners desiring to obtain the International Certificate on IHM should use only IHM Expert Companies that have been accepted by the Administration.
A list of IHM Expert Companies accepted by the Administration may be obtained by contacting the Administration at Regsandstandards@liscr.com or on Liberian Registry website “List of IHM Expert Companies”
Inventory on Hazardous Materials (IHM) - Issuance of Certificate
(Marine Operations Note 06/2025, Marine Advisory 22/2023 and POL-016 see Marine Notice POL-016 - Implementation, Survey and Certification under the Hong Kong Convention and EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR))
Hong Kong Convention
On 26th June 2023, Liberia ratified the IMO Hong Kong Convention, thereby fulfiling the criteria for entry into force on 26th June 2025.For existing ships, Liberia will not implement the provisions of the Convention which require the IMO International Certificate on IHM to be issued not later than 5 years after the entry into force of the Convention, but will require ALL ships of 500 GRT and above to be issued with a valid International Certificate on IHM not later than 26th June 2025.
From 1st April 2024, all surveys under The Hong Kong Convention (and EU SRR) of all ships in service registered or registering with Liberia will be conducted by the Administration. Additionally, for ships in service calling at EU ports or anchorage, the Administration is issuing a Statement of Compliance on IHM for EU SRR after verifying that the IHM Part I includes the additional hazardous materials PFOS and HBCDD. All IHM survey requests received from Owners, for ships in service, are to be sent to Regsandstandards@liscr.com.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue an interim HK International Certificate on IHM for new-building ships registered or registering with Liberia for a period of five (5) months in the format specified in Appendix 1 of the Marine Notice POL-016 (available in ASMS2), after successful completion of an initial survey.
Additionally, for new-building ships calling EU ports or anchorage, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue an Interim Statement of Compliance on IHM with a validity of five (5) months in the format specified in Appendix 1A of the Marine Notice POL-016 after verifying that the IHM Part I includes the additional materials PFOS and HBCDD and upon successful completion of the initial survey.
When issuing HK International Certificates on IHM and EU SRR Statements of Compliance on IHM, all three dates (Date of building contract, Date on which keel was laid and Date of delivery) are to be entered in the “Date of Construction” section (see Marine Operations Note 06/2025).
The Interim International Certificate on IHM, the Interim Statement of Compliance for EU SRR for ships calling at EU ports or anchorage (as applicable) along with the survey report and IHM Part I shall be submitted by the MOC to the Administration at Regsandstandards@liscr.com, for issuance by the Administration of the full term International Certificate on IHM and Statement of Compliance on IHM for EU SRR, (as applicable), validity of which shall be not more than 5 years from the date of completion of the survey.
Statements of Compliance on IHM already issued by ROs will continue to remain valid until they expire, or until 26 June 2025, whichever is earlier, after which the Administration will issue the International Certificate on IHM, which may not require an additional shipboard inspection/survey, provided the IHM has been maintained and updated as required.
Ships with an IHM Part I and bearing an anti-fouling system that contains cybutryne in the external coating layer of their hulls or external parts or surfaces above 1,000 mg/kg determined by sampling, should update the IHM Part I accordingly to include the presence of cybutryne at the earliest, if applicable. Upon removal of the anti-fouling system containing cybutryne in accordance with Marine Notice AFS-01, the IHM Part I should be updated again and verified by the Administration after removal. A copy of the Anti-Fouling System (AFS) Certificate along with the updated IHM part I should be submitted by the MOC to the Administration for reissuance of the International Certificate on IHM.
For the issuance of the full-term International Certificate on IHM by the Administration, the following documentation must be submitted by the MOC to the Administration at Regsandstandards@liscr.com prior to 26 June 2025:
Relevant survey report and IHM Part I meeting Resolution MEPC.379(80); and,
the existing valid Statement of Compliance/International Certificate on IHM.
Liberia recommends that Recognised Organisation (RO) commences submitting from now on in a phased manner (i.e. for Recognised Organisation (RO) through the MOC), the Statements of Compliance on IHM already issued earlier, so that no later than 26 June 2025, all Statements of Compliance on IHM already issued are replaced with the International Certificate on IHM by the Administration.
Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013
The European Parliament formally adopted the EU SRR on 22 October 2013, which entered into force on 30 December 2013. The EU SRR requires all non-EU-flagged ships of 500 GT and above calling at EU ports or anchorage from 31 December 2020, to have onboard a valid IHM Part I with a Statement of Compliance in the format specified in Appendix 1A of the Marine Notice POL-016.
Shipowners with ships calling at ports in the EU are therefore required to develop the IHM Part I for approval prior arrival at any EU port or anchorage. The IHM Part I shall include the classification of materials according to the IMO guidelines, with the addition of two hazardous materials (Perfluoro octane Sulfonic Acid - PFOS and Brominated Flame Retardant - HBCDD) required by the EU SRR for ships calling at ports in the EU.
Remote survey
(Administration email dated 17/08/2020)
On a case by case, the Administration may accept a remote Initial Survey to verify whether Part I of the IHM when a Recognised Organisation (RO) qualified surveyor will not be possible to attend due to Covid-19 related reasons, such as travelling restrictions, port authorities prohibitions, quarantine measures, etc. and provided that the IHM Documentation Review is already satisfactorily completed in accordance with Resolution MEPC 268(68) to include additional materials under the EU SRR
On satisfactory completion of the remote IHM Initial Survey an interim Certificate will be issued and a statutory observation will be endorsed for the pending physical attendance and confirmatory verification on board during the next Recognised Organisation (RO) survey or the latest by the next annual surveys.
Harmonized approach towards enforcement of EU SRR as a result of COVID-19
See Marine Advisory 34/2020 in attached files.
Inspection and maintenance of shipboard elevators
See Technical Letter 2007-01 in attached files.
ISM Code
Authorisations & instructions
| Ship type | PS | PH | PR | BC | OT | CT | GC | CH | CS | MO |
| Document of Compliance Document of Compliance | ||||||||||
| Interim | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Initial | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Periodical | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Additional | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Renewal | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Note: Note: | The Administration shall be
contacted at prevention@liscr.com prior
to conducting an initial interim DOC audit on behalf if Liberia. The Administration shall be contacted at prevention@liscr.com prior to conducting an initial interim DOC audit on behalf if Liberia. | |||||||||
| Safety Management Certificate Safety Management Certificate | ||||||||||
| Interim | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Initial | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Intermediate | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Additional | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Renewal | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Note: Note: | ||||||||||
| Requirements of the Administration | Action by |
|---|---|
| Annual updated listing of Recognised Organisation (RO) Auditors to be sent to the Administration | HO |
| Withdrawal of certificates only by the Administration | Administration |
| Interim audits not meeting the descriptions in paragraphs 9.1.1 and 9.1.2 of Marine Notice ISM-001 (file attached) shall be pre-authorized by the Administration. However refering to ISM 001 paragraph 5.2 - Where Recognised Organisation (RO) provides auditing services for ISM Code certification, a NOTIFICATION email shall be sent to: audit@liscr.com | CD/AU/CSU |
| The ISM audit check-list (ISM audit check-list) is to be considered as a reference during ISM audits. It is NOT necessary to be filled in, as the Recognised Organisation (RO) ASMS check lists were considered by the Liberian Administration as “covering the same concerns” (email received on 29/11/2011). | Auditor/CSQM |
| ISM 001 paragraph 5.2 - Recognised Organisation (RO) may not take over ISM vessel certification during the intermediate unless it is authorized by the Administration | Auditor/CSQM |
| Agreement and guidelines governing the delegation
of International Ship Management Code verification and certification
services effective 01/07/96.Liberian combined publications
folder, RLM-300. Agreement and guidelines governing the delegation of International Ship Management Code verification and certification services effective 01/07/96. Liberian combined publications folder, RLM-300. |
Specific requirements
Measures to improve compliance and minimize risk of Port State Control detentions
(Marine Notice PSC-001, which is displayed in Marine Notice PSC-001 - Measures to Improve Compliance and Minimize Risk of Port State Control Detentions)
The requirements in 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 of Marine Notice PSC-001 shall be incorporated into the company’s Safety Management System (SMS) for all vessels, at the earliest opportunity, however no later than September 30th, 2023.
ISPS Code
Authorisations & instructions
| SSP approval / review | Ship audit | ISSC issuance |
|---|---|---|
| No | Yes | Yes |
| Observation(s):Marine
Notice (MN) ISP-001 attached (see www.liscr.com).Special
instructions for integration of ISM and ISPS codes (item 3.7 of
the MN ISP-001).ISSC withdrawal includes CSR not correct
and also AIS and IMO number not installed. Observation(s): Marine Notice (MN) ISP-001 attached (see www.liscr.com). Special instructions for integration of ISM and ISPS codes (item 3.7 of the MN ISP-001). ISSC withdrawal includes CSR not correct and also AIS and IMO number not installed. | ||
| Item | Specific requirements | Observation(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Language required | English: SSP and all records to be presented
during the audit.See item 4.10 of the MN ISP-001. English: SSP and all records to be presented during the audit. See item 4.10 of the MN ISP-001. | + working language (if not English). |
| Audit plan | Required to be prepared and update the CSOSee
item 4.15 of the MN ISP-001. Required to be prepared and update the CSO See item 4.15 of the MN ISP-001. | |
| SSP approval / review | By the Administration. | |
| Minimum period of SSP implementation on board | The company shall ensure the implementation.See
item 4.16.1 of the MN ISP-001. The company shall ensure the implementation. See item 4.16.1 of the MN ISP-001. | No minimum implementation period specified. |
| SSA | See item 4.5 of the MN ISP-001.The Ship
Security Assessment shall be documented, reviewed, accepted and retained
onboard and in the company’s office See item 4.5 of the MN ISP-001.The Ship Security Assessment shall be documented, reviewed, accepted and retained onboard and in the company’s office | |
| Part B mandatory | See item 3.8 of the MN ISP-001. | But advisable as PSC may require. |
| Annex to ISSC (related to Part B) | Administration has included a statement in its letter of SSP approval whether Part B has been complied with. | |
| SSP amendments | Revisions to be sent for Administration
for review and comment.See item 4.12 of the MN ISP-001. Revisions to be sent for Administration for review and comment. See item 4.12 of the MN ISP-001. | |
| CSO / SSO training | Documentary evidence requested for CSO /
SSO training. Documentary evidence requested for CSO / SSO training. | See item 3.2 of MN ISP-001All SSO
training courses MUST be approved by the Administration.Recognised Organisation (RO)
SSO course recognised by LISCR. The seafarer shall take the Recognised Organisation (RO) SSO
certificate and apply for the Liberian certificate for their book. See item 3.2 of MN ISP-001 All SSO training courses MUST be approved by the Administration. Recognised Organisation (RO) SSO course recognised by LISCR. The seafarer shall take the Recognised Organisation (RO) SSO certificate and apply for the Liberian certificate for their book. |
| Security exercises | See item 4.16 of the MN ISP-001. | |
| Minimum period for filing the records | 3 years.See item 4.10 of the MN ISP-001
Continous Synopsis Record (CSR): Original to be kept on board throughout
ship life time 3 years. See item 4.10 of the MN ISP-001 | Records listed under ISPS A/10.1 Attached file ISP-002 |
| Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) | See item 8.4 of the MN ISP-001. | |
| Long Range Identification and Tracking system (LRIT) | Attached file ISP-003 | |
| Document of reference | Letter dated 09/09/2003. | |
MLC, 2006
Scope of authorisation
| Yes | No | Observation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approval of DMLC II | X | Recognised Organisation (RO) is not authorized to perform DMLC Part II review. DMLC II review is performed by Administration. |
Note:
A copy of the current DMLC Part II can be obtained by contacting MLC@liscr.com The DMLC Part II on board shall be the same as the one on file with Administration. The Administration is to be contacted in case it is different. There is no need to retain the DMLC II letter of review and acceptance on board after issuance of the full term MLC certificate.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to verify with shipowners that the amended DMLC with 16 areas is on board prior to Recognised Organisation (RO) inspectors attendance.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall immediately communicate to the Administration all reported cases by Recognised Organisation (RO) inspectors of:
non-payment of wages for 1 month and over;
insufficient food on board for proposed voyage;
invalid financial security documents.
| Inspection | Certification | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | ||
| Full recognition (Recognised Organisation (RO) is RO) | X | X | |
Administration instructions
Extracts from Marine Notice MLC-001
2.3 Verification inspections and certification
The Administration is taking an active role in ensuring compliance with the working and living conditions and the rights of seafarers serving on board Liberian Flag ships. This role includes the review and acceptance of the DMLC Part II prepared by all shipowners. Review and acceptance of DMLC Part II will not be delegated to RO’s / classification societies recognized by the Administration. The Administration’s review will ensure consistency and efficiency in confirming compliance with requirements set out in DMLC Part I, certification of the DMLC Part II and inspections on the ship.
3.0 Authority, conduct, obligations and responsibilities of inspectors (LMLI’s and authorized RO inspectors)
3.2 Conduct of inspectors
Inspectors shall treat as confidential the source of any grievance or complaint alleging a danger or deficiency in relation to seafarers’ working and living conditions or a violation of laws and regulations and shall not reveal to the shipowner, the shipowners representative or the operator of the ship that an inspection was made as a consequence of such a grievance or complaint.
Inspectors that have any direct or indirect interest with the shipowner, seafarers or other interested parties shall not be called upon to carry out the maritime labour inspection.
Inspectors shall not reveal, even after leaving service, any commercial secrets or confidential working processes or information of a personal nature which may come to their knowledge in the course of their duties, and may be subject to appropriate sanctions or disciplinary measures.
3.3 Obligation of inspectors
LMLI’s and authorized RO’s, shall, submit a report of each inspection to the Administration.
In case of an investigation following a major incident, the report shall be submitted to the Administration as soon as practicable, but not later than one month following the conclusion of the investigation.
3.4 Responsibility of inspectors
When an inspection is conducted or when measures are taken to remedy or rectify deficiency or provide an acceptable corrective action plan, all reasonable efforts shall be made to avoid a ship being unreasonably detained or delayed.
4.5 Inspection for issuance of a Maritime Labour Certificate or Interim Maritime Labour Certificate
4.5.1 Maritime Labour Certificate: Only the LMLI or an authorized RO inspector is authorized to conduct maritime labour inspections and verifications on behalf of the Administration
The shipowner must contact the Administration or authorized RO to arrange for the inspection and verification for a Maritime Labour Certificate. Failure to have a valid Maritime Labour Certificate will be considered a violation of the MLC, 2006 Convention and the ship may be prevented from trading.
The DMLC Part I and a DMLC Part II reviewed and accepted by the Administration must be available on board ship before any inspection and verification will be conducted.
The shipowners’ measures drawn up in the DMLC Part II must be implemented on board before the inspection and verification for issuance of a Maritime Labour Certificate. The Administration does not specify minimum implementation period, however, the shipowner shall ensure that the measures included in the DMLC Part II have been in place on the ship for a period of time for the master to develop sufficient evidence documenting implementation before the inspection and verification is carried out.
Extract of MLC, 2006 Letter 2013-02
(Supersedes MLC, 2006 Letter 2012-02, dated 15 October 2012) - Guidance to Recognized Organization’s on Responding to Seafarers Complaints:
A. MLC Complaint received during a MLC Inspection1. MLC-related complaints received by the RO should be verified during the inspection process. No attempt is to be made to resolve any type of dispute. The seafarer is to be advised by the RO regarding the process for addressing the complaint.2. The RO should first determine whether a complaints procedure is in place on board the ship, whether the seafarer has made use of it and whether the process has operated or is operating as described.3. Regardless of the findings under A.2, above, the RO should verify if the alleged deficiency exists or not and report to the Administration on the finding(s) in accordance with the corresponding inspection and certification procedures. Additional or follow-up inspections may be requested by the Administration.B. MLC Complaint received other than during a MLC Inspection1. The seafarer should be reminded and encouraged to use the onboard complaint procedure.2. The seafarer should be provided with, or referred to, the Flag Administration's contact information (email/tel.) as contained in the onboard complaint procedure.3. Any written complaint received should be sent by the RO to the Flag Administration in full confidence.4. If the seafarer refuses to pursue any of the above options, the RO should advise the Flag Administration that a verbal complaint has been received concerning working and living conditions...
Extract from Marine Advisory 12/2016 - MLC 2014 amendments
This Marine Advisory provides notice of the 2014 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 that will enter into force on 18 January 2017.
Vessels must carry on board a certificate or other documentary evidence of valid financial security issued by the financial security provider acceptable to the Administration. Owners may wish to contact their current financial security provider, regarding the availability of financial security to cover the new MLC amendments.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to verify the validity of the financial security documents during on board MLC inspections.
The Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC Parts I and II) will be amended to include the new amendments. An amended DMLC Part I will be available to:
all ships registering with Liberia prior to entry into force of the amendments;
to all other ships prior to the first renewal inspection following entry into force of the amendments; and
to any other ship upon request
The Liberian Administration will implement the resolution on transitional measures adopted by the Special Tripartite Committee whereby valid Maritime Labour Certificates and the Declarations of Maritime Labour Compliance will continue to be recognized until the date of the first renewal inspection following entry into force of the amendments.
Marine Notices MLC-001, MLC-003 and MLC-005 are revised to provide guidance in implementing measures for compliance with the new amendments in the DMLC.
Requests for the amended ship specific DMLC Part I should be sent to MLC@liscr.com. The standard DMLC Part I prepared by the Administration is provided in Annex I to Marine Notice MLC-001.
List of documents attached for further information
Marine Advisory 24/2024 dated 15/08/2024 (see attached file “Marine Advisory-24_2024_Amendments of 2022 to MLC, 2006”)
Marine notice MLC-001 Rev.08/24 (see attached file “MLC-001_Rev.08-24”)
Marine notice MLC-002 Rev.08/24 (see attached file “MLC-002_Rev.08-24”)
Marine notice MLC-003 Rev.04/25 (see attached file “MLC-003_Rev.04-25”)
Marine notice MLC-004 Rev.08/34 (see attached file “MLC-004_Rev.08-24”)
Marine notice MLC-005 Rev.08/34 (see attached file “MLC-005_Rev.08-24”)
Marine notice MLC-006 Rev.7/20 (see attached file “MLC-006_Rev.07-20”)
Transitional measures for implementation of 2022 MLC Amendments
(RCSM 2024)
Amendments are to be implemented on board no later than 23 December 2024: DMLC are to be verified at first renewal inspection on or after 23 December 2024.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is to ensure that LISCR Amended DMLC Part I (latest revision dated 15 Aug 2024) is available on-board prior MLC Renewal inspection. Recognised Organisation (RO) may obtain a copy from the Administration if absent onboard.
Maritime training institutes and courses
Authorisations & instructions
| Institutes | Courses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audit | Certification | Audit | Certification | |
| Recognition for | No | No | No | No |
| Obeservation(s) | ||||
| Items | Action | Action by |
|---|---|---|
| Report | ||
| Certificate | ||
| In case of MNC or withdrawal of certificate | ||
| Document of reference | Liberia Administration email
dated 07/04/08 (from Mr. Jim Walsh JWALSH@liscr.com)
Extrait:“... Regarding the certification process - we are
not ready at this time to approve any RO for this work. ....Warm
regards,Jim” Liberia Administration email dated 07/04/08 (from Mr. Jim Walsh JWALSH@liscr.com) Extrait: “... Regarding the certification process - we are not ready at this time to approve any RO for this work. .... Warm regards, Jim” | |
Appendix — Agreement governing the delegation of Statutory verification and Certification Services
Untitled
Refer to the attached file “Agreement_Liberia_RO SA_01112023”.
Appendix — Annex I to the Agreement
Table and summary of applicable instruments and degree of authorization
Refer to the attached file “Annex I_Liberia_RO SA”.
Appendix — Annex II to the Agreement
Reporting to the Administration
Refer to the attached file “Annex II_Liberia_RO SA”.
Appendix — Annex III to the Agreement
Definitions
Refer to attached file “Annex III_Liberia_RO SA”.
Appendix — Agreement and guidelines governing the delegation of International Ship Management Code Verification and Certifications Services
Untitled
Refer to the attached file “agreement2”.
Appendix — ISM audit check-list
Untitled
The auditor committed to the audit for the issue of a Document of Compliance and/or a Safety Management Certificate must ensure that the Safety Management System conforms with the points of the Liberia Maritime Law given below:
| Requirement | Satisfactory |
|---|---|
| 1 GeneralThe Administration’s
policies regarding safe management and operation of ships and protection
of the environment should be incorporated into the company and shipboard SMS.
The national requirements are supplemental to the Maritime Regulations
(RLM - 108) and Marine Notices contained in the combined publication
folder (RLM - 300). The company and shipboard SMS should ensure
compliance with both the national requirements, the Maritime Regulations,
and the Marine Notices. 1 General The Administration’s policies regarding safe management and operation of ships and protection of the environment should be incorporated into the company and shipboard SMS. The national requirements are supplemental to the Maritime Regulations (RLM - 108) and Marine Notices contained in the combined publication folder (RLM - 300). The company and shipboard SMS should ensure compliance with both the national requirements, the Maritime Regulations, and the Marine Notices. | Yes / No |
| 2 Safety and environmental protection
policyThe safety and environmental protection policies
required by the ISM code must be signed by the company’s chief executive
or other senior executive officer, and should be reviewed at regular
intervals to ensure that they remain likely to achieve the objectives
of the ISM code. 2 Safety and environmental protection policy The safety and environmental protection policies required by the ISM code must be signed by the company’s chief executive or other senior executive officer, and should be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure that they remain likely to achieve the objectives of the ISM code. | Yes / No |
| 3 Company responsibilities and authorityThe
owner of each vessel must provide the office of the Deputy Commissioner
of Maritime Affairs with the name, address, telephone, fax, and
telex numbers of the company responsible for the operation of the
vessel. If the entity responsible for the operation of a ship is
other than the owner, the owner must identify the full name of such
entity and submit details to the satisfaction of the Administration
which establish the entity’s responsibility for the company. 3 Company responsibilities and authority The owner of each vessel must provide the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs with the name, address, telephone, fax, and telex numbers of the company responsible for the operation of the vessel. If the entity responsible for the operation of a ship is other than the owner, the owner must identify the full name of such entity and submit details to the satisfaction of the Administration which establish the entity’s responsibility for the company. | Yes / No |
| 4 Designated Person(s)The
Company must provide the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime
Affairs with current information sufficient to enable direct and
immediate contact at all times between the Administration and the
company’s designated person or persons required by the ISM code
for matters relating to the SMS, maritime safety, and the protection
of the marine environment (See sub-paragraph 1.5 above). 4 Designated Person(s) The Company must provide the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs with current information sufficient to enable direct and immediate contact at all times between the Administration and the company’s designated person or persons required by the ISM code for matters relating to the SMS, maritime safety, and the protection of the marine environment (See sub-paragraph 1.5 above). | Yes / No |
| 5 Master’s responsibility and authority5.1 Liberian
Maritime Law expressly prescribes to the specific rights and duties
of the master. The Administration also acknowledges the importance
of IMO Resolution A.443(XI), “Decisions of the shipmaster with regard
to Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Protection”. The SMS should
incorporate the elements of both A.443(XI) and the national requirements. 5 Master’s responsibility and authority 5.1 Liberian Maritime Law expressly prescribes to the specific rights and duties of the master. The Administration also acknowledges the importance of IMO Resolution A.443(XI), “Decisions of the shipmaster with regard to Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Protection”. The SMS should incorporate the elements of both A.443(XI) and the national requirements. | Yes / No |
| 5.2 Any system
of operational control implemented by company shore based management
must allow for the master’s absolute authority and discretion to
take whatever action he/she considers to be in the best interest
of passengers, crew, cargo, the vessel and the marine environment. 5.2 Any system of operational control implemented by company shore based management must allow for the master’s absolute authority and discretion to take whatever action he/she considers to be in the best interest of passengers, crew, cargo, the vessel and the marine environment. | Yes / No |
| 5.3 The company
should provide the master with documentation of the specific duties delegated
to the officers under the master’s command. 5.3 The company should provide the master with documentation of the specific duties delegated to the officers under the master’s command. | Yes / No |
| 6 Resources and personnel6.1 Company
training, hiring, manning procedures, terms of employment, personnel record
keeping and reporting procedures must be consistent with the requirements
of the STCW code and Liberian Maritime Regulations to ensure the
use of competent qualified personnel. 6 Resources and personnel 6.1 Company training, hiring, manning procedures, terms of employment, personnel record keeping and reporting procedures must be consistent with the requirements of the STCW code and Liberian Maritime Regulations to ensure the use of competent qualified personnel. | Yes / No |
| 6.2 The company
SMS should ensure that joining crew members have proper seafarers’
certification including licenses, special qualification certificates,
seamen’s identification and record books and training as required
by international conventions, Liberian Maritime Law, the Liberian
Maritime Regulations and the specifics of the publication “Requirements
for merchant marine personnel certification”, RLM-118. 6.2 The company SMS should ensure that joining crew members have proper seafarers’ certification including licenses, special qualification certificates, seamen’s identification and record books and training as required by international conventions, Liberian Maritime Law, the Liberian Maritime Regulations and the specifics of the publication “Requirements for merchant marine personnel certification”, RLM-118. | Yes / No |
| 6.3 The shipboard
SMS should include procedures for the transfer of command, documented
hand-over notes, documented vessel and duty introductions, familiarization training
in accordance with Section A-I/6 of the STCW code (as amended 1995)
for on-coming officers and crew, and on board documentation retention. 6.3 The shipboard SMS should include procedures for the transfer of command, documented hand-over notes, documented vessel and duty introductions, familiarization training in accordance with Section A-I/6 of the STCW code (as amended 1995) for on-coming officers and crew, and on board documentation retention. | Yes / No |
| 7 Development of plans for shipboard
operations7.1 A “master’s
port arrival / departure safety check list” should be included in
the shipboard SMS incorporating pre-established company policy guidelines
for “Go, No Go” situations and reporting requirements for the master’s
compliance. 7 Development of plans for shipboard operations 7.1 A “master’s port arrival / departure safety check list” should be included in the shipboard SMS incorporating pre-established company policy guidelines for “Go, No Go” situations and reporting requirements for the master’s compliance. | Yes / No |
| 7.2 The ship’s
operations documentation should include a statement that its contents do
not remove the masters authority to take such steps and issue any
orders, whether or not they are in accordance with the contents
of the documentation, which the master considers to be necessary
for the preservation of life, and the safety of the vessel and the
marine environment. 7.2 The ship’s operations documentation should include a statement that its contents do not remove the masters authority to take such steps and issue any orders, whether or not they are in accordance with the contents of the documentation, which the master considers to be necessary for the preservation of life, and the safety of the vessel and the marine environment. | Yes / No |
| 7.3 The ship’s
operations plans should include procedures to ensure the required Liberian
annual safety inspection is conducted on time and in accordance
with the Maritime regulations and Marine Notice 7-191-2. 7.3 The ship’s operations plans should include procedures to ensure the required Liberian annual safety inspection is conducted on time and in accordance with the Maritime regulations and Marine Notice 7-191-2. | Yes / No |
| 7.4 The ship’s
operations pIans should incorporate the Maritime Regulations’ requirement
for weekly emergency drills and training sessions. 7.4 The ship’s operations pIans should incorporate the Maritime Regulations’ requirement for weekly emergency drills and training sessions. | Yes / No |
| 8 Emergency preparednessThe
company SMS must provide that statutory, Administration, or company
required emergency preparedness plans will be periodically reviewed
and updated, and if necessary, re-approved by the Administration
or an RO on its behalf. 8 Emergency preparedness The company SMS must provide that statutory, Administration, or company required emergency preparedness plans will be periodically reviewed and updated, and if necessary, re-approved by the Administration or an RO on its behalf. | Yes / No |
| 9 Reports and analysis of non-conformities,
accidents and hazardous occurrences9.1 The
shipboard SMS procedures for reporting accidents and incidents should incorporate
the provisions of Chapter IX of the Maritime Regulations (RLM -
108) which require the immediate notice and reporting of incidents
to the Administration and establishes duties and responsibilities
for the company, ship officers and crew. 9 Reports and analysis of non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences 9.1 The shipboard SMS procedures for reporting accidents and incidents should incorporate the provisions of Chapter IX of the Maritime Regulations (RLM - 108) which require the immediate notice and reporting of incidents to the Administration and establishes duties and responsibilities for the company, ship officers and crew. | Yes / No |
| 9.2 The company
SMS should also incorporate the provisions of Article IV and Article X
of the “Rules for marine investigations and hearings” (RLM- 260). 9.2 The company SMS should also incorporate the provisions of Article IV and Article X of the “Rules for marine investigations and hearings” (RLM- 260). | Yes / No |
| 9.3 The company
SMS should incorporate the provisions of Maritime Regulation 10.296
(7) on accident prevention and appointment of a safety officer. 9.3 The company SMS should incorporate the provisions of Maritime Regulation 10.296 (7) on accident prevention and appointment of a safety officer. | Yes / No |
| 9.4 The company
and shipboard SMS should contain procedures for immediately reporting
port state detentions to the Administration. 9.4 The company and shipboard SMS should contain procedures for immediately reporting port state detentions to the Administration. | Yes / No |
| 10 Maintenance of the ship and equipment10.1 The
maintenance system established by the company and documented in
its SMS should include systematic plans and actions designed to
address all those items and systems covered by class and statutory
survey and ensure that the ship’s condition is satisfactorily maintained
at all times. 10 Maintenance of the ship and equipment 10.1 The maintenance system established by the company and documented in its SMS should include systematic plans and actions designed to address all those items and systems covered by class and statutory survey and ensure that the ship’s condition is satisfactorily maintained at all times. | Yes / No |
| 10.2 As part
of company initiated ship safety inspections, the shipboard, SMS
should include reference to the Liberian annual safety inspections
required by Maritime Regulation 7.191, as more fully described in
Marine Notice 7-191-2, and use of Form No. 338-6/93, the “operational
/ safety checklist for SOLAS 74/78”, or a similar company developed
form as addressed in Marine Notice 7-191-3. 10.2 As part of company initiated ship safety inspections, the shipboard, SMS should include reference to the Liberian annual safety inspections required by Maritime Regulation 7.191, as more fully described in Marine Notice 7-191-2, and use of Form No. 338-6/93, the “operational / safety checklist for SOLAS 74/78”, or a similar company developed form as addressed in Marine Notice 7-191-3. | Yes / No |
| 10.3 The Company
SMS should also provide for the logging of actions or measures taken
to rectify deficiencies and non-conformities noted during surveys
and annual safety inspections and the giving of notification to
the Administration and the designated RO of the corrective actions
taken. 10.3 The Company SMS should also provide for the logging of actions or measures taken to rectify deficiencies and non-conformities noted during surveys and annual safety inspections and the giving of notification to the Administration and the designated RO of the corrective actions taken. | Yes / No |
| 11 DocumentationDocuments
should be easily identified, traceable, user friendly and not so
voluminous as to hinder the effectiveness of the SMS. 11 Documentation Documents should be easily identified, traceable, user friendly and not so voluminous as to hinder the effectiveness of the SMS. | Yes / No |
| 12 Company verification, review and
evaluationThe company must conduct internal audits shoreside
and on each ship at least annually to determine whether the various
elements of the company SMS have been fully implemented and are
effective in achieving the stated objectives of the code. The internal
audits are in addition to the annual, intermediate, and renewal
audits carried out by the RO. 12 Company verification, review and evaluation The company must conduct internal audits shoreside and on each ship at least annually to determine whether the various elements of the company SMS have been fully implemented and are effective in achieving the stated objectives of the code. The internal audits are in addition to the annual, intermediate, and renewal audits carried out by the RO. | Yes/No |
Appendix — Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cargo Securing Manual Approvals for Liberia
Untitled
Refer to the attached file “memorandum”.
Appendix — Crew accommodation - Certificate of Compliance - Sample
Untitled
Refer to the attached file “CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE”.
Appendix — Marine Notice TEC
Marine Notice TEC-001 - Issuance and use of statutory certificates (extracts)
Refer to the attached file “TEC-001_Rev.06-12”.
Marine Notice TEC-003 - Stability and trim information to be supplied to the master
Refer to the attached file “TEC-003_Rev.05-24”.
Marine Notice TEC-004 - Multiple load lines assignment procedures
Refer to the attached file “TEC-004_Rev.02-22”.
Marine Notice TEC-005 - IMDG Code and medical oxygen carriage requirements
Refer to the attached file “TEC-005_Rev.02-25”.
Marine Notice TEC-007 - Mobile Offshore Drilling Units
Refer to the attached file “TEC-007_Rev.06-12”.
Marine Notice TEC-008 - Passenger vessels - Underwater examination of hull in lieu of drydocking
Refer to the attached file “TEC-008_Rev.11-22”.
Marine Notice TEC-009 - Mobile Offshore Units
Refer to the attached file “TEC-009_Rev.12-25”.
Marine Notice TEC-011 - Technical Letters
Refer to the attached file “TEC-011_Rev.09-25”.
Appendix — Marine Notice INS
Marine Notice INS-003 (03/26) - National safety requirements for miscellaneous and non-SOLAS vessels
Refer to the attached file “INS-003_Rev.03-26”.
Appendix — Marine Notice SAF
Marine Notice SAF-001 - Lifesaving Appliances, and Fire and Other Safety Equipment and Materials
Refer to the attached file “SAF-001_Rev.07-26”
Marine Notice SAF-003 - Procedures for entering enclosed spaces and enclosed space entry and rescue drills
Refer to the attached file “SAF-003_Rev.01-26”.
Marine Notice SAF-005 - Lifeboat and survival craft, servicing and maintenance
Refer to the attached file “SAF-005_Rev.06-25”.
Marine Notice SAF-006 - Lifesaving Equipment - Lifejackets
Refer to the attached file “SAF-006_Rev.07-20”.
Marine Notice SAF-007 - Lifesaving Equipment - Immersion Suits and Thermal Protective Aids
Refer to the attached file “SAF-007_Rev.07-20”.
Marine Notice SAF-008 - Lifesaving Equipment - Short Term Dispensation to Carry a Number of Persons in Excess of that allowed by the Safety Equipment Certificate
Refer to the attached file “SAF-008_Rev.07-20”.
Marine Notice SAF-009 - Implementation, Survey and Certification under the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code)
Refer to the attached file “SAF-009_Rev.01-26”.
Marine Notice SAF-013 - New SOLAS Chapter XV and International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code)
Refer to the attached file “SAF-013_Rev.02-25”.
Marine Notice SAF-016 - Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships
Refer to the attached file “SAF-016_Rev.11-24”.
Marine Notice SAF-017 - Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels
Refer to the attached file “SAF-017_Rev.10-25”.
Marine Notice SAF-018 - Management of Asbestos and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)
Refer to the attached file “SAF-018_Rev.08-25”.
Marine Notice SAF-019 - Authorization of Service Providers for Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul and Repair of Lifeboats and Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and Release Gear
Refer to the attached file “SAF-019_Rev.06-25”.
Marine Notice SAF-020 - SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 on Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches
Refer to the attached file “SAF-020_Rev.12-25”.
Appendix — Marine Notice RAD
Marine Notice RAD-001 - Required documents for ship radio stations
Refer to the attached file “RAD-001_Rev.06-12”.
Marine Notice RAD-008 - GMDSS radio logbooks
Refer to the attached file “RAD-008_Rev.02-23”.
Marine Notice RAD-009 - Radio Equipment - Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Refer to the attached file “RAD-009_Rev.08-25”.
Marine Notice RAD-010 - SOLAS CHAPTER IV Radiocommunications
Refer to the attached file “RAD-010_Rev.04-25”.
Marine Notice RAD-011 - Maritime Mobile Satellite Service - Activations and Changes to Terminals
Refer to the attached file “RAD-011_Rev.03-25”.
Appendix — Marine Notice FIR
Marine Notice FIR-001 - Maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances
Refer to the attached file “FIR-001_Rev.02-26”.
Marine Notice FIR-002 - Fire extinguishing requirements for paint and flamable liquid lockers
Refer to the attached file “FIR-002_Rev.07-20”.
Appendix — Marine Notice POL
Marine Notice POL-001 - MARPOL, Prevention of Pollution from Ships
Refer to the attached file “POL-001_Rev.11-24”.
Marine Notice POL-003 - Approval of Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan or a Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans
Refer to the attached file “POL-003_Rev.07-20”.
Marine Notice POL-005 - Ballast Water Management Plans
Refer to the attached file “POL-005_Rev.05-24”.
Marine Notice POL-008 - MARPOL Annex I - CAS
Refer to the attached file “POL-008_Rev.06-12”.
Marine Notice POL-009 - Implementation of revised Annex VI of MARPOL
Refer to the attached file “POL-009_Rev.02-25”.
Marine Notice POL-013 - Implementation of revised Annex V of MARPOL
Refer to the attached file “POL-013_Rev.11-24”.
Marine Notice POL-014 - Implementation, Survey and Certification BWM Convention
Refer to the attached file “POL-014_Rev.05-25”.
Marine Notice POL-016 - Implementation, Survey and Certification under the Hong Kong Convention and EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR)
Refer to the attached file “POL-016_Rev.07-25”.
Appendix — Marine Notice PSC
Marine Notice PSC-001 - Measures to Improve Compliance and Minimize Risk of Port State Control Detentions
Refer to the attached file “PSC-001_Rev.09-24”.
Marine Notice PSC-002 - Measures to Maintain the Quality of the Liberian Registry Fleet
Refer to the attached file “PSC-002_Rev.03-25”.
Appendix — Specific Certificates: National and bilingual International certificates.
List of National certificates
- National Cargo Ship Safety certificate and Record of Equipment
- National Mobile Offshore Unit Safety Certificate
- Mobile Offshore Unit Safety Certificate (compliant with MODU Code 1989)
- Mobile Offshore Unit Safety Certificate (compliant with MODU Code 2009)
- Interim International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials (HK)
- Interim Statement of Compliance on Inventory of Hazardous Materials (EU)
- Certificate of Test and Thorough Examination of Lifting Appliances- Certificate of Test and Thorough Examination of Loose Gear- Factual Statement of Test and Thorough Examination of Non-Certified Existing Lifting Appliances