Tackling COVID-19 – a voyage together
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/08-IMO-SG-message.aspx20th March 20203:03 am
Application: All ship-owners, operators, masters and officers of merchant ships and authorised Classification Societies
Application: All shipowner/operators, masters and officers of merchant ships and authorised classification societies
SUMMARY
The outbreak and proliferation of COVID-19 has caused major disruption on a global scale. Barbados Maritime is offering this guidance, which we plan to update as and when there are further developments.
GENERAL GUIDANCE
Sources of information are available to the maritime industry, on the websites shown below:
IMO Circular letter No. 4204(Add.4) offers specific guidance for ship operators for the protection of the health of seafarers. This is regularly updated and the latest version can be accessed on the
IMO website.(http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx)
SEAFARER CERTIFICATES
In the case of the documents below expiring or already expired and renewal is not possible as a consequence of COVID-19 related issues, the following action should be taken:
(1) STCW Certificate of Competency (CoC): seafarers should contact their CoC issuing authority and request an extension to their existing CoC.
(2) Barbados Maritime Endorsement: the STCW Compliance Officer will issue a Flag State Endorsement to CoCs that have been extended by their issuing authority, and use the new expiry date on the CoC. The Endorsement application should be made in the usual way. If evidence is submitted that the Endorsement is required to be extended due to COVID-19 related issues, there will be no fee for issue of the Endorsement.
(3) Medical Certificates: A medical certificate that expires while the seafarer is at sea, shall remain valid until the next port of call where a medical practitioner may be available to issue a new medical certificate, but should not usually exceed three months. Any request for a seafarer without a valid medical certificate to join a ship as a matter of urgency must be cleared first with the Barbados Maritime administration by emailing ‘ops@barbadosmaritime.com’.
MINIMUM SAFE MANNING DOCUMENT
Where COVID-19 is responsible for a seafarer being unable to join or leave a ship, and this impacts on the MSMD, operators should contact BMSR for permission to sail with less than the minimum number of seafarers stated on the MSMD. Contact ops@barbadosmaritime.com if this is the case to request a temporary dispensation.
MLC: Ship-owners should check urgently with their insurance providers that the insurance or other financial security covers seafarers for COVID-19 related issues. Coverage should be extended if necessary. This applies to both MLC Standard A2.5.2 and Standard A. 4.2.1.
SEA Extension
BMSR is aware that travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19 are having profoundly disruptive effects on previously arranged crew changes. BMSR does not need to be contacted where the SEA is extended and
(a) the extension is agreed between the seafarer and shipowner
(b) a new SEA is made, or an addendum to the present SEA is signed by both parties
(c) the period of service does not exceed 12 months (or, if there is a CBA in place,
the alternative limit agreed therein)
Should the service period exceed 12 months or whatever limit has been agreed in a CBA, operators should contact ops@barbadosmaritime.com for further advice.
QUARANTINE & SELF-ISOLATION
All seafarers are to follow the guidance from relevant health authorities concerning quarantine and self-isolation. Any such isolation/quarantine counts towards the seafarer’s service period.
SURVEY & CERTIFICATION
BMSR accepts that ROs may not be able to undertake statutory surveys or audits during the current COVID-19 crisis period. ROs should submit recommendations to BMSR for an extension to the validity of survey certificates and this will be reviewed and authorised on a case by case basis.
DELAYS TO DRY DOCKING
We recommend that owners/operators should submit applications to the RO if an extension is required for a vessel’s dry docking, or servicing of critical equipment as required under IMO applicable Convention. Such applications should be submitted before the due date or expiry date of the statutory certificate, to avoid PSC issues.
INTERNAL ISM AUDITS
Please note that Reg. 12.1 of the ISM Code allows up to 15 months between audits, where there are exceptional circumstances. If a Company cannot undertake ISM Audit within the allowable time scale, BMSR will consider extending this period on a case by case basis. Contact ops@barbadosmaritime.com for further advice.
19 March 2020
Application: All ship-owners, operators, masters and officers of merchant ships and authorised Classification Societies
SUMMARY
New amendments to SOLAS Chapter III included in Res. MSC. 404(96) came into force.on
1st January 2020.
In the amended Regulations III/3, the requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear contained in the Guidelines MSC.1/Circ.1206, “Measurer to prevent accidents with lifeboats”, were replaced by Res. MSC.402(96), “Requirements for maintenance, through examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboat and rescue boats, launching appliance and release gear” (The Requirements), setting it as mandatory (see new Reg. III/20.11.5).
Res. MSC. 402(96) set down as mandatory that personnel carrying out maintenance, through examination, operational testing, overhaul and testing and repair of the following items should be certified by an authorised service provider:
The following inspection intervals are described:
Weekly and monthly inspections are to be conducted by authorised service providers, or by shipboard personnel under the direction of a senior ship’s officer in accordance with the maintenance manual(s).
Annual thorough examinations and operational tests are to be conducted by certified personnel of either the manufacturer or an authorised provider. The service provider may be the ship operator, provided they are authorised.
Five-year thorough examination, any overhaul, overload operational tests and repairs are to be conducted by certified personnel of either the manufacturer or an authorised service provider. This shall be done in the presence of vessel’s Classification surveyor.
The scope for each inspection, maintenance, through examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair interval is detailed in the Res. MSC.402(96), Section 6.
In
general, an authorised service provider is an entity authorised by flag administrations in accordance with the requirements given in the Res. MSC.402(96). The certification programme requires authorisation for each make and type of equipment to be provided. It is important to note that the authorisation as service provider equally applies to manufacturer needs to obtain authorisation. The authorised service provider will certify their personnel for each make and type of equipment.
Barbados Maritime Ship Registry will accept only service providers authorised by other administrations or by their Recognised Organisation, specifically for each make and type of equipment on board of the vessel. Evidence of such authorisations shall be made available on board to FSI surveyors, attached to service reports.
In cases where a manufacturer is no longer in business or no longer provides technical support, Barbados Maritime Ship Registry may authorize other service providers for the equipment based on prior authorisation for the equipment and/or long-term experience and demonstrated expertise as an authorised service provider. Documented evidence is to be provided to the Technical Department in order to get such authorisation.
18/3/2020
18 March 2020
The power of visibility – IMO launches photo search for women in maritime
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/05-women-in-maritime-photo-share.aspx7th March 20203:04 am
IMO postpones meetings due to COVID-19
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/04-Covid-19-IMO-meetings-.aspx7th March 20203:04 am
IMO 2020 sulphur limit implementation – carriage ban enters into force
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/03-1-March-carriage-ban-.aspx3rd March 20203:04 am
New IMO department will tackle key global issues through innovative partnerships
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/02-department-for-partnerships-and-projects-.aspx29th February 20203:04 am
GUIDANCE IN THE EVENT OF UNSEAWORTHINESS
Application: all ship-owners, operators, masters and officers of merchant ships and authorised classification societies and approved inspectors
When undertaking inspection of ships and yachts on behalf of Barbados Maritime, an inspector may find deficiencies that pose a grave risk to the safety, security and environmental operation of the ship and seafarers.
In these circumstances and when it is seen that the Master and/or Owners are not taking any steps
to deal with the deficiencies, the ship should not be allowed to put to sea.
The matter should be brought to the attention of BMSR immediately on the Emergency 24hr phone: +44 (0)7939 312822 or landline to +44 (0) 207636 5739. BMSR will then take further action to protect the ship, seafarers and environment.
IMO Secretary-General assesses progress on sulphur limit implementation
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/01_IMO-Secretary-General-assesses-progress-on-sulphur-limit-implementation.aspx22nd January 20203:04 am
Flag inspections
Application: All shipowners, operators, masters and flag inspectors
The Barbados Maritime Ship Registry is committed to support ship operators and to avoid disruption to their business. Therefore it is be ensured that ships are properly prepared for a flag state inspection to avoid delays in carrying out the survey.
In 2019 some common factors have been noted at flag state inspections and port state detentions. Therefore our inspectors are hereby advised of the frequently noted deficiencies as mentioned below:
Fire doors –closing mechanisms found ineffective
Fire drills – lack of familiarity
Fire pumps – failure to establish pressure
Emergency generator – failure to start
IMO symbols – found to be missing
Publications – old editions found onboard or publications not found onboard
Gangway ladders – steps to be replaced
14 January 2020