Flag News for Yachts – December 2013

DECEMBER 2013

Flag News can be used to meet the flags’ requirements for management companies and yachts to receive regular updates and M-Notices.

Whilst we have made no attempt to filter out information that may not be relevant to the reader, the icons give a general indication of applicability.

Directive 001-2005 (Rev. 11/13): The Merchant Shipping (Ship’s Medical Stores) Directive, 2005
The Merchant Shipping (Ship’s Medical Stores) Directive 2005, which entered into force on 01 Dec 2013, and sets out the minimum requirements for medical stores onboard Antigua and Barbuda ships.

Technical Alert 13-08 (Rev. 1): Port State Control – firefighting and fire prevention equipment
Review of the circumstances relating to several PSC detentions of Bahamian ships concerning fire-fighting and fire prevention equipment.

Technical Alert 13-10: STCW security certification implementation issues
A reminder that the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention and Code have introduced security certification requirements for persons serving onboard ships to which the ISPS Code applies. The Bahamas’ requirements in relation to security training, instructions and certification are outlined in BMA Information Bulletin No. 118.

Technical Alert 13-09: Port State Control – MARPOL Annex V
A reminder of the introduction amendments to MARPOL Annex V which came into force on 01 Jan 2013 and potential detentions arising from deficiencies relating to contravention of the new requirements.

Technical Alert 13-07: Port State Control – Qualship 21
Advice that the Bahamas Maritime Authority has retained the USCG Quality Shipping in the 21st Century qualification (Qualship 21) for the the year 2013 through to Mar 2014, and a summary of the benefits of Qualship 21 to shipowners and the importance of maintaining the Qualship 21 qualification.

BSN 2013-025: New requirements for security training for shipboard personnel
A reminder of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code, as well as guidelines for implementation of the requirements for security training for ships’ personnel, and how to obtain the following certification:
• Security related familiarisation.
• Proficiency in security awareness.
• Proficiency in designated security duties.

CIG 003 (Rev.1): Ship-type experience in the application of the ISM Code
Guidance on the qualifications, training and experience necessary for undertaking the role of designated person under the provisions of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

Circular 77/2013: STCW security training requirements
Guidance on the new requirements for seafarer security training in STCW Regulation VI/6, which enter into force on 01 Jan 2014. These requirements will apply to all vessels to which the ISPS Code applies.

Circular 76/2013: AMSA Marine Order 32 (MO32) – cargo handling equipment, Australia
A reminder that all vessels loading and discharging cargo in Australia must comply with the requirements of Marine Order 32 (Cargo handling equipment) 2011 from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Recent events have highlighted the consequences of non-compliance, with one vessel having to depart Australia after being unable to discharge its cargo.

SGN 047: Supplement to SGN 045 (STCW security-related training and instructions for all seafarers)
Further to SGN 045, further guidance on security-related training for seafarers.

Information Notice No. 7: GME 406MHz EPIRBS
Information on the Safety Alert issued by Messrs. Standard Communications Pty Ltd, concerning potential failures on 406Mhz EPIRBs manufactured under their GME brand.

Information Notice No. 6: Potential hazard associated with Thiourea Dioxide
Advice of the publication of the report on the safety investigation conducted into the maritime casualty involving a cargo of Thiourea Dioxide (also known as Formamidine Sulfinic Acid) in packaged form. The findings of the safety investigation highlight the potential hazards associated with the carriage of this substance.

MS Notice No. 111: Restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma
A reminder of EU Council Decision 2013/184/CFSP repealing EU Council Decision 2010/232/CFSP and EU Council Regulation (EU) No. 401/2013 repealing Council Regulation (EC) No. 194/2008 relating to restrictive measures in respect to Myanmar/Burma.

MI-100 (Rev. 12/13): Vessel registration and mortgage recording procedures
Advice of the publication of the revised booklet of information on what is needed to register vessels in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and record ship mortgages, on how to finance charters, and related instruments under the MI laws.

MI-103 (Rev. 12/13): Yacht Code
Advice of the publication of the revised Yacht Code, which contains the Marshall Islands’ requirements for Private Yachts – Limited Charter (up to 12 passengers, up to 84 days per annum), Commercial Yachts (up to 12 passengers), and Passenger Yachts (13-36 passengers).

MN 1-000-5 (Rev. 12/13): Consolidated list of fees and charges for official documents and services
The regulated publication of fee structure for official documents and services rendered by the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

MN 7-042-1 (Rev. 11/13): Medical care on board ship and ashore: medical chest, record-keeping and responsibilities and training for medical care
Revised information on the standards of medical care onboard ship and ashore, reflecting the relevant requirements of MLC 2006 and the World Health Organization’s Quantification Addendum: International Guide for Ships, 3rd Edition.

MN 7-038-4 (Rev.11/13): Principles of watchkeeping
Details of the requirements for watchkeeping at sea, including the new and amended provisions of STCW. The content of MLC2006 and OPA90 are reflected in this revision.

MN 2-011-40 (Rev. 11/13): Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm Systems
Advice of the Marshall Islands Administration’s policy concerning the international requirements for Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS). The content of IMO Resolution MSC.350(92) is reflected in this revision.

MN 2-011-18 (Rev. 11/13): Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)
Details of the functional and Marshall Islands’ national requirements for Ship Security Alert Systems, including technical guidelines for the development of systems to comply with SOLAS Regulation XI-2/6. In this revision there is a change in the email address in section 2.4

MN 1-000-4 (Rev. 11/13): Maritime Administrator policy, goals and measures used toward the effective and efficient implementation of mandatory IMO Instruments…
The promulgation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator’s policies, goals and measures used in keeping with the requirements of section 102, “Statement of Policy,” of the RMI Maritime Act 1990 (the “Maritime Act”) as it relates to the implementation and enforcement of IMO Resolution A.973(24), reference (a).

MN 1-000-3 (Rev. 11/13): Requirements on carriage of publications on board ships
Revised guidance on the nautical publications required to be carried onboard vessels, and the formats (including electronic) that are acceptable to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator.

YSA 7-13: USCG NOA requirements for yachts
A reminder that all foreign (non-US flagged) commercial and privately registered yachts 300 GT and more must file an initial electronic version of the Notice of Arrival (ENOA) to the USCG National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) before entering most US ports.

Circular POL 010 (Rev. 1): Port reception facilities – reporting inadequacies, advance notification and delivery receipts
Updated information on how to report alleged inadequacies of port reception facilities. Whilst this information was prepared by the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Maritime Administration, it largely applies to vessels of all flags.

Circular MLC 002 (Rev. 3): Procedures for Maritime Labour Convention Certification
More information on the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, including the procedures to be followed to obtain MLC certification.

Circular SOL 055: Recovery of persons from the water – new SOLAS regulation III/17-1
Advice of the new requirements in SOLAS regulation III/17-1 for all ships other than ro-ro passenger ships to have ship-specific plans and procedures for the recovery of persons from the water. They apply to new ships whose keels are laid on or after 01 Jul 2014, and to existing ships by the first periodical or renewal safety equipment survey after 01 Jul 2014.

Circular SOL 042 (Rev. 2): Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems
Revised information on the provision of BNWAS.

Circular FSI 001 (Rev. 1): Annual flag State inspections
Information on the annual flag State inspections that are performed by the St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ Maritime Administration.

MIN 472 (M): New requirements for security training for shipboard personnel
Relating to the new requirements in the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code for security training, advice from the MCA on how obtain the following certification:
• Security related familiarisation.
• Proficiency in security awareness.
• Proficiency in designated security duties.

MIN 471 (M): Training and certification – Large Yacht Qualification, Navigational Watch Rating, Efficient Deck Hand and Able Seafarer Deck Certification Amendments
An explanation of the planned changes to the large yacht code examinations detailed in MSN 1802 which are due to come into force between August and December 2013 as part of the 2010 Manila amendments to STCW. This notice also details changes to large Yacht Qualifications, Able Seafarer Deck Certification, Navigational Watch Rating (NWR) Certification, the Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) Syllabus and the sea service requirement.

Safety Alert Technical No. 49: Fixed CO2 fire-extinguishing system operating controls
Details of the failure of operating controls for a CO2 extinguishing system found during the annual service onboard a passenger vessel. It was found if the main control valve was opened prior to operation of the section control valves, the high differential pressure across the section valves could cause them to fail open.