Liberia’s safety requirements for non-SOLAS vessels

Eda Zenic -

The Liberia Maritime Authority issued Marine Notice INS-003 (Rev. 11/24) outlining the national safety requirements for vessels that do not fall under international conventions such as SOLAS or the Load Line Convention. It establishes procedures for issuing the National Cargo Ship Safety Certificate and incorporates updates related to certification, surveys, radio equipment, and Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs).

The purpose of the notice is to provide clear safety standards for vessels excluded from international conventions and standardize certification procedures. It applies to cargo ships under 500 gross tons, non-mechanically propelled vessels, pleasure yachts not engaged in trade, fishing vessels, and vessels under 24 meters or 150 gross tons operating domestically. It excludes vessels governed by the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) or Special Purpose Ship codes.

To qualify for the National Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, vessels must meet specific criteria, such as being between 12 and 24 meters in length or less than 500 gross tons but above 20 net tons. Fishing vessels not engaged in Liberian coastal trade are also eligible. Other vessels may request certification through an approved Recognized Organization (RO). Certificates are valid for five years, subject to annual verification surveys conducted by an RO or Liberian Nautical Inspector.

Surveys are required to ensure that the vessel and its equipment are in satisfactory condition for operation. They include inspections of firefighting, lifesaving, and pollution prevention equipment, as well as operational checks of navigation and radio systems. Hull integrity and machinery are maintained as part of classification requirements.

All certificated vessels must comply with SOLAS Chapter IV for radio equipment based on the operating Sea Area. Vessels 300 gross tons or larger on international voyages must also comply with Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) requirements. New rules clarify standards for mobile satellite services, managed by the Liberian Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR).

Load Line Convention standards generally apply, except for marking and freeboard computation. Vessels over 24 meters or 150 gross tons on international voyages require an International Load Line Certificate in addition to the National Cargo Ship Safety Certificate.

All vessels must comply with MARPOL standards for pollution prevention. Lifesaving appliances must meet SOLAS Chapter III requirements unless specifically exempted.

Pleasure yachts not engaged in trade are exempt from SOLAS requirements but may voluntarily apply for SOLAS-equivalent certification. Yachts are encouraged to meet classification, SOLAS, Load Line, and MARPOL standards where feasible.

Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs), defined as manned vessels used for activities such as construction, pipe-laying, and emergency preparedness, are issued a Liberian Mobile Offshore Unit Safety Certificate.

Key updates in this revision include the authorization of Liberian Nautical Inspectors for surveys, expanded annual survey requirements, clarified mobile satellite service standards, and updated definitions and certification requirements for MOUs.