Liberia issues notices on manning of vessels, principles of watchkeeping, and Minimum Safe Manning Certificate

The Liberia Maritime Authority has issued the marine notice about manning of vessels and principles of watchkeeping, as well as the marine advisory note amending the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate.

Manning of Vessels and Principles of Watchkeeping

This document has been issued on December 2nd, 2022, and is addressed to all shipowners, operators, masters and officers of merchant ships, and authorized classification societies.

This Marine Notice supersedes the Marine Notice MAN-001, dated 02/21.

The following changes have been included:

a. A new definition is included for “Ship’s Cook”  

b. A new Section 12.1.9 added re: providing a cook for vessel with a manning of 10 or more.  

c. A new Note 5 has been added to the manning scales contained in Section 12.2.1 to address the requirement for provision of a ship’s cook.

Purpose

This Notice promulgates the Administration’s requirements for the safe manning of vessels, except Mobile Offshore Units which are now contained in MAN-004.

This incorporates the requirements of reference (g) with the minimum number of seafarers of specific ranks and ratings further described in RLM-118 “Requirements for Merchant Marine Personnel Certification” to meet the minimum requirements in accordance with SOLAS 74 V/14.

Amendments to the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate

This Marine Advisory Note has been issued on December 2nd, 2022, and is addressed to all shipowners, operators, inspectors and masters.

Purpose

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to inform shipowners, operators, inspectors and masters of amendments to the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSMC) for ships.

Background

MLC, 2006 Regulation 3.2 and  Standard A3.2 requires that ships with a manning of ten (10) or more crew shall be provided with a ship’s cook trained, qualified and found competent for the position in accordance with requirements set out in the laws and regulations of Administration.

RLM-108 section 10.315(2) and Marine Notice MLC-004 paragraph 5.2 set the training standards for ship’s cooks.

Furthermore, Standard A2.7.3 of MLC, 2006 requires the Administration to take into account all the requirements within Regulation 3.2 and Standard A3.2 concerning food and catering when determining manning levels.

Requirements

With effect from 1 December 2022, the Administration will include the provision for a ships’ cook in new MSMC for ships with a manning of 10 or more crew.

All other MSMC shall include the provision for a ship’s cook at the next reissuance of the MSMC but no later than 31 December 2023.  

Ship’s cooks shall be trained and certified in accordance with the standards noted above and Regulation VI/I of STCW.

The Administration will also issue Special Qualification Certificates where the seafarer serving as ship’s cook meets the requirements above.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):

Manning of Vessels and Principles of Watchkeeping

Amendments to the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate