Luxembourg: circular for multiple load line certificates

The Luxembourg Maritime Administration has issued a circular regarding multiple load line certificates.

This circular was published on February 3rd, 2023, and is addressed to all accredited shipping managers, ship owners, ship operators, designated persons ashore, masters of Luxembourg flagged ships, recognised organisations, and flag state inspectors.

Multiple load line certificates may be directly issued to a ship by the Recognised Organisation (RO). However, the Commissariat aux affaires maritimes shall be notified of such cases and advised of the vessel's highest deadweight tonnage.

The following must be verified for issuance or change of Load Lines:

a) The ship must comply fully with all statutory requirements appropriate for a ship of the maximum deadweight corresponding to the minimum freeboard assigned in the certificates issued;

b) There must be no reduction in safety standards when sailing at an increased deadweight;

c) Only one set of load line marks shall be on display at any time, and the other sets shall be obliterated by paint;

d) The Master must ensure, with a RO surveyor in attendance, that the correct set of marks are displayed together with the corresponding load line certificate, that the other sets of marks are properly obliterated, and that the other load line certificates are in safekeeping and not on display. In the case of RO surveyor unavailability, the change of load line may be carried out on the Master’s instructions, provided that arrangements for verification at the next available port have been agreed upon with the RO;

e) The option of a remote survey will be accepted in accordance with the RO procedures for remote surveys. When remotely accepting a change of load line, the received documentation shall provide equivalent proof of load line marking as if the RO were attending the ship and visually confirming this. At least the following documentation shall be provided to the RO prior to performing the remote survey:

Extract of the deck logbook signed by the master, ensuring the date and location where the change took place, and photos of full load line marking with a draught scale at midship on both sides.
Photos of the newly painted full load line mark with mid ship draft scale in JPG format.
Photos of the previous mark obliterated by paint of the same color than the ship hull in JPG format.
Pdf file of the log book entry confirming the date and location of the change of mark signed by the master.
A clear photo of punched or cut marks (painting only is not accepted) in JPG
format.
In case the permanent marking is not clearly visible to the remote surveyor, the master should upon request provide better pictures. The photos received will be the basis for verifying that the load line is permanently marked and must be of high quality, clearly showing that the marking is permanent (welded, stencil/plate, punched, cut).
If the received pictures are not convincing, the RO is kindly asked to request further photos or cancel the remote survey and request an on board survey.

f) The current version of the IACS UR Z29 - Remote Classification Surveys applies;

g) The Master is to make an entry in the ship’s Official Logbook on every occasion that the load line marks are changed;

h) The RO is to ensure that all marks are verified, and all their corresponding load line certificates endorsed at each subsequent load line inspection.