Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea

Application: All shipowners, operators, masters and officers of merchant ships and authorised classification societies

Barbados Flag wishes to bring to the attention of all concerned the new publication for maritime security guidance for ships and seafarers operating off the coast of West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, replacing the previous guidelines for the area.

This publication is aimed to help mariners detect, deter and delay external threats to their safety. Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security off the Coast of West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea (BMP-WA) complements piracy guidance in the latest International Maritime Organisation Resolutions and Circulars (www.imo.org) in this region.

The maritime security situation off the West Coast of Africa is complex and dynamic. BMP (WA) has been developed to help ships and seafarers avoid becoming the victims of maritime security incidents in these waters. The publication aims to help ships plan their voyage and to detect, avoid, deter, delay and report attacks. BMP-WA also outlines risk assessment as an integral part of voyage planning in identifying measures for prevention, mitigation and recovery, combining statutory regulations with supplementary measures.

The consequences of not adopting effective security measures can be severe. The guidance contained in this publication mitigates the risk from piracy and armed robbery. To this effect, all concerned are strongly advised to apply the recommendations in this publication, which will make a significant difference to the safety of seafarers.

Barbados Flag also draws the attention of all concerned to the official website (https://www.gog-mdat.org)

of the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade-Gulf of Guinea (MDAT- GoG), the co-ordination centre tasked to safeguard merchant ships operating in the region. MDAT- GoG is a cooperation centre between the Royal Navy (UKMTO) and the French Navy (MICA-Center) in support of Yaounde Process. The primary output from the MDAT- GoG is to contribute by maintaining coherent maritime situational awareness in the central and western African Maritime areas, with the ability to inform and support industry. It contributes to the safety and security of the Mariner in the regional maritime domain.

To do this effectively, MDAT- GoG needs to know about merchant ships approaching, transiting or operating in the region. The MDAT- GoG website offers ship-owners, ship masters and agents the facility to register their details securely with MDAT- GoG, update positions of their vessels and receive information and guidance designed to reduce the risk of pirate attacks. To this effect, masters and operators of Barbadian ships that operate or that may operate in this area are strongly advised to register on the website.

The publication may be downloaded from www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org, which also includes links to other maritime security information useful to mariners.

06-05.2020

IMO postpones further meetings due to COVID-19 but begins rescheduling plans

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/14-meetings-postponed.aspx1st May 20203:03 am

“You are not alone” – IMO Secretary-General issues impassioned personal message to seafarers

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/13-seafarer-message.aspx22nd April 20203:03 am

Customs and ports urged to maintain flow of critical goods during pandemic

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/12-WCO-IMO-statement.aspx18th April 20203:05 am

IMO and port State inspection authorities set pragmatic approach to support global supply chain

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/11-PSC-meeting.aspx11th April 20203:01 am

IMO postpones further meetings due to COVID-19 (updated)

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/04-Covid-19-IMO-meetings-.aspx3rd April 20203:00 am

IMO urges keyworker exemptions for crew changes and repatriations

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/09-seafarers-COVID19.aspx2nd April 20203:04 am

ADDENDUM TO BULLETIN 323

Application: All ship-owners, operators, masters and officers of merchant ships and authorised Classification Societies

COVID-19:  DISPENSATION REQUESTS

Application: All shipowner/operators, masters and officers of merchant ships and authorised classification societies

Further to our earlier bulletin 323, and in response to a number of requests for extension  to seafarer service period, please note that requests for any such extension to be granted should be completed on a COVID-19 Dispensation Request form.

The form is designed only for dispensation requests arising as a result of the current COVID-19 crisis,   Please request copy of the form to: ops@barbadosmaritime.org,

30 March 2020

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

COVID-19:  GUIDANCE

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:

• International Maritime Organisation
• International Maritime Health Association.
• World Health Organisation
• International Chamber of Shipplng

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