Liberia: requirements for the issuance of dispensations

Liberia Maritime Authority has issued a marine advisory note about the minimum requirements for the issuance of dispensations.

Advisory note MA 05/2023 was published on March 15th, 2023.

The purpose of this document is to remind shipowners, operators, masters, and recognized organizations that when it becomes necessary for a vessel to be issued a dispensation in accordance with reference (a), the following minimum documentation and evidence are required to be submitted:

1. Details regarding the non-compliance;

2. Formal risk assessment;

3. Definitive corrective action plan with evidence of spare parts and/or service at next port; if unable to repair/service at that next port, evidence for consideration of issuance to a port where definitive repair/service can be arranged;

4. Vessel’s projected port schedule for the duration of the dispensation, if repairs can’t be made at the next port.

For equipment requiring a survey by the vessel’s classification society, the Administration will also authorize the issuance of a short-term statutory certificate.

For manning dispensations, the following minimum documentation and evidence are required to be submitted:

1. Vessel’s Current Crew List;

2. Formal Risk assessment;

3. DPA attestation that remaining crew are sufficient for safe operation;

4. Revised watch standing rotation ensuring adequate rest for all affected seafarers;

5. Corrective Action Plan detailing when and where the new joiner will embark;

6. Booking confirmation flight details for new joiner;

7. Vessels projected port schedule for the duration of the dispensation.

Requests for issuance of any dispensation without all of the required applicable minimum documentation and evidence will result in delays.

Conditions under which the dispensations are issued must be met for the validity of the dispensation including maintenance onboard of any evidence/documentation submitted to the Administration to support the request.