security
Master’s Declaration for Weapons for Suez Canal Transit
Suez Canal authority has issued instructions to agents stating as below
1. Master to submit a signed and stamped commitment letter by the master.
2. Letter to state that vessel is not having any weapons on-board.
2. This letter will be a part of her pre arrival documents.
Any vessel shall not be allowed to transit unless the mentioned commitment letter by the master is presented. This came in to effect from 08/07/2015.
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 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
Marshall Island Clarification on Use of PMSC/VPD in Territorial Waters
Due to the ongoing issues regarding embarked security personnel in the West Africa / Gulf of Guinea region, Marshall Island issued a security advisory for clarification. Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator will no longer issue letters of non-objection (LONOs) for the use of locally sourced vessel protection detachment (VPD) teams, embarked, disembarked, and utilized wholly within the territorial waters of a coastal State.
Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) shall mean a unit of a national authority of a coastal State, together with its personnel, equipment, firearms and ammunition, which is embarked on board a vessel in order to provide protection against acts or attempted acts of piracy and/or armed robbery within the jurisdiction of said coastal State.
Further it clarifies that Flag state does not object to the use of PMSC or VPD teams. However, it does require that RMI registered vessels operating within the territorial waters of a coastal State abide by all applicable laws and regulations of said coastal State. The principle purpose behind a LONO is to provide assurance to coastal State authorities that the flag State is aware of private armed security personnel embarked on the vessel for protection against piracy, armed robbery and terrorism on the high seas. Since a local VPD team embarks, operates, and disembarks within the jurisdiction of a single coastal State, authorization from the Administrator is neither appropriate nor necessary unless specifically requested by coastal State authorities.
READ ADVISORY
Extended Deadline for Certificate of Proficiency for Security Awareness Approaching
Regulation VI/6 of the STCW Convention introduced mandatory minimum requirements for security related training and instruction for all seafarers, which have entered into force on 1/1/2014. However it was observed that many maritime Administrations were not ready to issue these new certificates of proficiency (CoP).
In order to resolve this situation, some flag States extended the deadline by means of a marine advisory notice despite the fact that STCW Convention has no provision for an extension of the deadline.
The matter was later considered during IMO-HTW Subcommittee in February 2014 where the date of 01 July 2015 was agreed.
PSC MOUs like Paris MOU had issued guidelines to PSCOs to record missing COP as deficiency (code 01223 – Security awareness training) with an Action Taken code 99 (master instructed to rectify before 01 July 2015).
As the date of 01st July 2015 is nearing, many of the seafarers sailing on board may still be without this certificate if due diligence was not observed by the company. It will be prudent to check the issue to avoid any odd situation during inspection, audit or Survey.
Marshall Island: GUIDANCE TO VESSELS OPERATING IN OR NEAR THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Based on the United States (US) Maritime Administration (MARAD) Advisory #2015-01, this Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) issued Ship Security Advisory05-2015 superseding RMI Marine Safety Advisory No. 184-11 to reflect a recent increase in challenges involving commercial ships transiting the Arabian/Persian Gulf (Strait of Hormuz) and provide guidance to mariners in such circumstances. Operators with RMI flagged vessels in the affected area are requested to forward this Advisory to their ships by the most expeditious means.
The advisory specifies following measures
- If an RMI flagged vessel engaged in transit through the Strait of Hormuz or its approaches is hailed by Iranian forces, it should provide its vessel name and affirm that it is exercising the right of transit passage in accordance with the UNCLOS.
- If boarding of an RMI flagged vessel engaged in transit through the Strait of Hormuz or its approaches is requested by Iranian forces, the ship’s Master should, if the safety of the ship and crew would not be compromised, decline permission to board by noting that the vessel is in transit passage and not subject to Coastal State enforcement jurisdiction.
- If a boarding by Iranian forces occurs even after declining permission, the boarding should not be forcibly resisted by persons on the RMI flagged vessel. Refraining from forcible resistance in no way indicates consent or agreement that such a boarding is lawful.
- Vessels are advised to report such incidents immediately to Coalition Naval Forces on VHF Channel 16, via email to cusnc.bwc@me.navy.mil, and by phone to +973-1785-3879. The Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain should also be contacted at marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil and +973-3940-1395.
- Vessels are also to report such activity to the RMI Maritime Administrator at dutyofficer@register-iri.com.
- All vessels should be aware that Coalition Naval Forces may conduct maritime awareness calls, queries, and approaches in order to ensure the safety of vessels transiting the Arabian/Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. RMI flagged vessels approaching Coalition Naval Forces are advised to maintain radio contact on VHF Channel 16.
Source: IRI
ADVISORY FOR SINGAPORE-FLAGGED SHIPS CALLING PORTS IN YEMEN
MPA Singapore issued shipping circular 09/2015 for Singapore flag vessels calling Yemen, The security situation in Yemen has deteriorated further with increasingly widespread armed conflicts. The ground conditions remain fluid and highly uncertain as the armed conflicts persist. In consideration of the safety and security of Singapore-flagged ships and the crew serving onboard these ships, MPA advices owners and operators to avoid having their vessels call at ports in Yemen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore has also in their travel advisory dated 7 April 2015 strongly advised Singaporeans to avoid all travel to Yemen.
The MPA further understands that a naval blockade on Yemeni ports has been enforced and that insurers have since advised owners and operators with either (i) ships at Yemen, or (ii) ships proceeding to Yemen to urgently review their deployment in light of this development. MPA strongly advise owners and operators of Singapore-flagged ships to carry out the review in consultation with your contractual counterparties as well as Hull, War and P&I insurers and other relevant parties. At all times, safety and security of the crew and the ship must take precedence.
Click here to read circular.
Source: MPA
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