Latest Updates in Marine Notice INS-001 for Safety Inspections of Liberian Ships

The Liberian Maritime Authority has issued a revised Marine Notice INS-001, outlining updated safety inspection protocols for Liberian-flagged vessels. This notice, which supersedes the previous version dated March 2024, introduces comprehensive changes aimed at enhancing the safety and operational compliance of Liberian ships worldwide. This article provides an overview of the key updates and their implications for shipowners, operators, and maritime personnel.

Overview of Marine Notice INS-001 Revisions

Enhanced Inspection Requirements

• Initial Safety Inspections: All Liberian vessels must undergo an initial safety inspection upon registration, re-registration involving a change of ownership or management, or prior to resuming service after a lay-up period exceeding six months.
• Annual and Bi-annual Inspections: The revised notice specifies that all Liberian vessels, with few exceptions, are required to have annual safety inspections, while passenger vessels must undergo bi-annual inspections to ensure heightened passenger safety.

Detailed Safety Inspection Protocols

Scope of Inspections

• Unmanned Barges and Pleasure Yachts: Certain vessels like unmanned barges and non-commercial pleasure yachts are exempt from these stringent annual inspections, focusing resources on higher-risk vessel categories.
• Special and Periodic Inspections: Vessels with unique operational profiles or those engaged in special operations may be subject to more frequent or specially tailored safety inspections.

Role of Nautical Inspectors

• Inspections are conducted by Nautical Inspectors from the Marine Audit and Inspection Coordination Division, ensuring adherence to international safety standards and Liberian maritime regulations.

Compliance and Follow-Up Procedures

Inspection Scheduling and Reporting

• Vessel owners and masters are responsible for ensuring their vessels are presented for inspections at the required intervals. They must coordinate with the Audit and Inspection Coordination Division to schedule inspections and report on the vessel’s availability.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Vessels that fail to undergo scheduled inspections are marked as "overdue" for safety checks, potentially triggering additional audits or verification processes to assess compliance with the Documentary Compliance Certificate (DOC) and Safety Management System (SMS).

The revised Marine Notice INS-001 reflects the Liberian Maritime Authority's commitment to upholding the highest standards of maritime safety. By adhering to these updated protocols, shipowners and operators can ensure their vessels operate safely and comply with international maritime safety regulations.

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

Safety Inspections of Liberian Ships