ISPS
Marshall Island Alerts RMI Vessel on Entering Libyan Waters
Marshal Island administration has issued revised guidance to RMI vessel Due to the highly volatile situation in Libya. RMI vessels transiting the Mediterranean Sea are advised to remain clear of Libyan territorial waters.
Should an RMI vessel decide to enter Libyan territorial waters or call at a Libyan port, the Administrator requires that the vessel operate at Security Level 2. RMI vessels calling in Libya shall do so in accordance with Libyan laws and regulations.
Very close contact with a local shipping agent and P&I correspondent is also strongly advised as the operational status of ports may change rapidly.
The United States Coast Guard has determined that Libya is not maintaining effective antiterrorism measures in all of its ports. Actions required as listed in paragraphs C and D of Port Security Advisory (3-15) went into effect for all vessels arriving in the United States on or after April 24, 2015, after visiting ports in Libya as one of the their last five ports of call.
Since Libyan ports are not considered to be ISPS Code compliant, the following actions shall be taken as per Section 7.3 of MN-2-011-16:
1. Implement measures per the ship’s security plan equivalent to Security Level 2;
2. Ensure that each access point to the ship is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel. Guards may be:
• provided by the ship’s crew, however, additional crewmembers should be placed on the ship if necessary to ensure that limits on maximum hours of work are not exceeded and/or minimum hours of rest are met, or
• provided by outside security forces approved by the ship’s master and Company Security Officer.
3. Attempt to execute a Declaration of Security; and
4. Log all security actions in the ship’s log.
UN Security Council Resolution 2146 authorizes the UN Sanctions Committee to impose certain measures on vessels attempting to illicitly export crude oil from Libya. The Resolution also imposes several restrictions regarding the loading, transport, and discharging of crude oil from Libya which may include the possible denial of port entry.
READ THE ADVISORY
Imposition of Conditions of Entry for Vessels Arriving to US from Gambia
The Coast Guard announces that it will impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving from the Gambia. Conditions of entry are intended to protect the United States from vessels arriving from countries that have been found to have deficient port antiterrorism measures in place.
The policy will become effective July 6, 2015.
On September 25, 2013 the Coast Guard did not find that ports in the Republic of the Gambia maintained effective anti-terrorism measures and that the Republic of the Gambia’s legal regime, designated authority oversight, access control and cargo control are all deficient. On July 16, 2014, the Republic of the Gambia was notified of this determination and given
recommendations for improving antiterrorism measures and 90 days to respond. To date, USCG cannot confirm that the Republic of the Gambia has corrected the identified deficiencies. Accordingly, beginning July 6, 2015, the conditions of entry will apply to any vessel that visited a port in the Republic of the Gambia in its last five port calls.
As per USCG following countries currently do not maintain effective anti-terrorism measures and are therefore subject to
conditions of entry: Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Syria, Timor-Leste, Venezuela, and Yemen. This list is also available in a policy notice available at https://homeport.uscg.mil under the Maritime Security tab; International Port Security Program (ISPS Code); Port Security Advisory link.
Following measures to be implemented as conditions for entry to US waters.
1. Implement measures per the vessel’s security plan equivalent to Security Level 2 while in a port in the Republic of the Gambia. As defined in the ISPS Code and incorporated herein, ‘‘Security Level 2’’ refers to the ‘‘level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a security incident.’’
2. Ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel while the vessel is in ports in the Republic of the Gambia.
3. Guards may be provided by the vessel’s crew; however, additional crew members should be placed on the vessel if necessary to ensure that limits on maximum hours of work are not exceeded and/or minimum hours of rest are met, or provided by outside security forces approved by the vessel’s master and Company Security Officer. As defined in the ISPS Code and incorporated herein, ‘‘Company Security Officer’’ refers to the ‘‘person designated by the Company for ensuring that a ship security assessment is carried out; that a ship security plan is developed, submitted for approval, and thereafter implemented and maintained and for liaison with port facility security officers and the ship security officer.’’
4. Attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in a port in the Republic of the Gambia.
5. Log all security actions in the vessel’s security records.
6. Report actions taken to the cognizant Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) prior to arrival into U.S. waters.
7. In addition, based on the findings of the Coast Guard boarding or examination, the vessel may be required to ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded by armed, private security guards and that they have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel while in U.S. ports. The number and position of the guards has to be acceptable to the cognizant COTP prior to the vessel’s arrival.
USCG may be revising the PSA very soon.
Source: USCG
USCG Highlights Changes in Inspection and Certification of Vessels under the Maritime Security Program (MSP)
USCG issued MSIB 05/15 highlighting changes in the Inspection and Certification of Vessels under the MSP. Concurrent with the first annual review of NVIC 01-13 the Coast Guard considered policy enhancements designed to better facilitate the transition and continued service of vessels under the MSP. In addition to the changes resulting from public comments, the Coast Guard has prepared enhancements intended to maximize flexibility by promoting alternative inspection programs.
FOREMOST, revisions were made to streamline the periodically unattended machinery space (PUMS) approval process, provide a standardized equivalency for design and technical specifications under Alternate Compliance Program (ACP) supplements, and clarify the provisions for servicing certain fire fighting equipment and life-rafts.
To view the highlights CLICK HERE
USCG NVIC – Inspection and Certification of Vessels under the Maritime Security Program
The Coast Guard announces the availability of Change-1 to Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular, or NVIC, 01-13, Inspection and Certification of Vessels under the Maritime Security Program, or MSP.
The MSP serves as a means for establishing a fleet of commercially viable and militarily useful vessels to meet national defense as well as other security requirements. NVIC 01-13 provides guidance to assist vessel owners/operators, Authorized Classification Societies and Coast Guard personnel with the inspection and certification of vessels under the MSP.
This change does the following:
• Clarifies the process for the issuance of the Certificate of Documentation to the vessel during the reflag process
• Adds a note to the equivalency provisions for inspection of MSP vessels subsequent to initial certification
• Clarifies the trial period requirements for automated systems in machinery spaces
• Includes interim provisions for those vessels seeking to operate with minimally attended or periodically unattended machinery spaces
• Makes other technical changes to NVIC 01-13.
Links to all pertaining documents:
NVIC 01-13: Inspection and Certification of Vessels under the Maritime Security Program
MSIB 05-15: NVIC 01-13 Change-1 Highlights
Change-1 to NVIC 01-13 is effective June 4, 2015.
Source: USCG NVIC
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