Barbados issues new bulletin on laid-up vessel requirements

The Barbados Maritime Ship Registry has issued a new bulletin regarding laid-up vessel requirements.

The bulletin was published and became effective on 24 January 2024.

Purpose

This Bulletin describes the requirements for the lay-up of Barbadian vessels.

Application

This Bulletin applies to all vessels intended for temporary lay-up, not engaged in commercial operations for any reason.

General

The term laid up vessel refers to a vessel that is temporarily idle due to lack of cargo, or which are temporarily phased out of commercial operations. There are two methods for laying up vessels: "Hot lay-up" and "Cold lay-up".

• During "hot lay-up," the vessel remains idle but can swiftly return to service. Machinery is operational for quick re-commissioning, with measures to reduce operational costs. Vessels should typically be laid up without cargo, maintaining adequate manning for machinery operation.
• In "Cold lay-up," vessels are taken out of service due to lack of employment and are moored or anchored awaiting new employment. Machinery is deactivated, and the vessel is kept "electrically dead," except for emergency power. Minimum manning for fire, leakage, moorings, and security watches is required, with power maintained at a minimum level for essential operations.

Notification of lay-up is essential, as vessels otherwise imply normal trading activities, needing full certification, surveys, inspections, and manning. Failure to notify relevant authorities may result in non-conformity penalties, potentially leading to vessel deregistration.

Managers must inform the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR) of the lay-up duration and vessel's readiness to resume trade. Proper advice on lay-up procedures should be sought from Recognised Organisations (ROs), insurers, and local authorities.

Statutory and Class Certification

Statutory certification is primarily required during vessel trading, while class certification must be maintained continuously for registration. However, Classification Societies offer procedures for laying up vessels and class suspension based on specific guidelines.

Depending on the lay-up duration and port requirements, Managers should decide whether to maintain or suspend statutory and class certification. Expired certificates during lay-up are deemed invalid, requiring reinstatement upon recommissioning. Permission for suspension or cancellation of certificates must be obtained from BMSR.

Suspending and Reinstating the Vessel during Lay-up

Suspension of statutory and class certification leads to automatic suspension from the registry, with all relevant certificates and permits withdrawn. Upon lay-up, BMSR issues suspension certificates and, if applicable, Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) with laid-up status.

Recommissioning involves reviewing manning levels and revalidating cancelled or expired certificates before the vessel resumes operations. BMSR re-issues all flag certificates upon submission of necessary documents.

Safety Management Certificates (SMC)

During lay-up, if vessel care is delegated to non-ISM Managers, suspension of ISM Code certification is accepted provided all coastal state and RO requirements are met. For lay-up exceeding 6 months, an interim verification audit is mandatory upon recommissioning, with potential issuance of interim SMC.

If lay-up is less than 6 months but audit window expires, interim verification and SMC issuance are required. Otherwise, SMC remains valid.

International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)

ISSC validity is crucial for vessel reactivation. Maintenance of ISSC, particularly Ship Security Plan (SSP) provisions, is recommended during lay-up. SSP adjustments may be necessary based on lay-up extent.

For lay-up exceeding 6 months, ISSC becomes invalid, requiring interim verification and potential SSP re-approval upon recommissioning. Similar procedures apply if audit window expires during lay-up.

Maritime Labour Certificate (MLC)

MLC compliance, especially for medical care and repatriation, must be upheld during lay-up. Failure to provide welfare facilities may result in BMSR actions.

For lay-up exceeding 6 months, additional MLC inspection with DMLC Part II endorsement is mandatory upon recommissioning. Interim verification and MLC issuance are required if audit window expires during lay-up.

Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT)

Standard LRIT procedures apply, with notification to BMSR if equipment is deactivated.

Insurance

Consultation with relevant underwriters and P&I clubs is advised before vessel removal from service. P&I clubs may offer lay-up return options for safely laid-up vessels, subject to negotiation and potential inspection upon recommissioning.

Manning

Minimum Safe Manning Document (SMD) does not apply during lay-up. Manning may be adjusted in consultation with port or coastal state authorities. Lay-up SMD issuance can be requested if necessary.

Suitably qualified personnel should oversee the vessel during lay-up, ensuring adequate communication with local authorities for immediate assistance.

Flag Inspections

If the lay-up duration overlaps with the annual flag inspection window, the anniversary date may be suspended until vessel preparation for reactivation.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Laid up Vessel Requirements