Liberia issues operations note for pre-arrival deficiency checklist for vessels arriving in Australia, China, Europe, and the USA

Liberia Maritime Authority published the updated marine operations note 04/2023 regarding the pre-arrival deficiency checklist for vessels arriving in Australia, China, Europe, and the USA.

This note was published on 6 October 2023.

Purpose

This Operations Note serves to notify Liberian Vessel Operators of the Administration's requirement to submit a pre-arrival deficiency checklist (RLM-258) at least 96 hours before arriving at ports in Australia, China, Europe, and the USA.

Background

The Liberian Administration has observed an increased number of detentions in Australia, China, Europe, and the USA due to vessels arriving unprepared for Port State Control inspections.

As per Liberian Marine Operations Note 05/2023, all vessels entering ports in Australia, China, Europe, and the USA must submit a copy of the Notice of Arrival (NOA) to the Administration at NOA@liscr.com.

This submission should occur 96 hours prior to entering the territorial waters of these countries.

Additionally, Masters and Chief Engineers must complete, sign, and submit the Pre-Arrival Checklist (RLM 258) to NOA@liscr.com.

This submission should be made in conjunction with the copy of NOA filed 96 hours before arrival.

You can find the latest version of RLM-258 attached to this note, or it can be downloaded from the website.

The RLM-258 form should be included as part of the Shipboard Management System (SMS) and will be verified by Flag State Inspectors on or after September 30, 2023.

If there are consecutive port calls within a country, the RLM 258 only needs to be submitted before the first port.

An updated RLM 258 must be submitted if the vessel's condition changes during these consecutive port calls or after the vessel calls a port in another area requiring RLM-258 completion.

Failure to submit a copy of the NOA and the completed RLM-258 to the Administration may lead to the suspension of the Master's and/or Chief Engineer's Liberian credentials and/or an additional audit of the vessel or Company SMS.

Masters and Chief Engineers are reminded to document their actions to report defects, identify non-conformities, and initiate corrective actions in accordance with the ship's SMS.

These reports will demonstrate compliance with SMS.

For additional information on Advance Notices of Arrival, please refer to the instructions in Marine Operations Note 05/2023 regarding Advance Notices of Arrival.

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

Pre-Arrival Deficiency Checklist for Vessels Arriving in Australia, China, Europe, and the USA