Flag News, March 2010

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Welcome to the March 2010 edition of Manta Maritime's Flag News.

The following links can be used to download news and other information that was published last month by the Flag Administrations popular with luxury yachts. For news of Flags not listed here please contact us.

This information can be used to meet the Flags’ requirements for management companies and yachts to receive regular updates and M-Notices.

No attempt has been made by Manta Maritime to filter out information that may not be applicable or relevant to the reader.

The following links were functioning at the time of publishing.

UNITED KINGDOM
MSN 1817 Amendment 1 (M+F): Consolidated European Reporting System (CERS)
1. Ship arrival and departure notifications, including additional requirements for ships carrying dangerous or polluting goods, (DPG);
2. Reporting requirements in the event of an accident/incident.
This MSN amends MSN 1817 and details the technical requirements applicable to ships and UK port authorities to comply with Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 (as amended).

MSN 1820 (M): The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form: Amendment 34-08 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
This MSN replaces MSN 1806, and is for the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form by sea on ships within United Kingdom waters and on United Kingdom ships wherever they may be. All persons involved in the transport and preparation for transport of dangerous goods under the provisions of the IMDG Code must be aware of the changes brought about by the amendment.

MGN 405 (M+F): Consolidated European Reporting System (CERS) - exemption arrangements under the Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 (as amended)
This MGN describes notification exemption arrangements where allowed under the Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 (as amended) which implement in United Kingdom (UK) law European Community Directive 2002/59/EC establishing a community vessel traffic monitoring and information system, known as the Vessel Traffic Monitoring Directive (VTMD).

MGN 406 (M+F): Use of barbecues and pig roasts on ships and fishing vessels
This MGN alerts owners, operators, managers, seafarers and fishermen to the dangers associated with the use of barbecues and similar equipment on board vessels (including yachts).

MIN 366 (M+F): Changes to MCA’s 2002 SOLAS V Publication 1, arising out of amendments to SOLAS Chapter V
This MIN details amendments to Chapter V of SOLAS. These amendments have been adopted by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee, and were implemented by the United Kingdom on 31 Dec 2008. It also gives guidance regarding the survey, certification and compliance of ships that are required to transmit Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) information.

MIN 373 (M+F): Radio: Operational guidance on the use of VHF radio and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) at Sea; Guidance on NAV SN.CIRC.227 corrigenda
This MIN provides information on amendments to IMO SN/Circ.227 (Guidelines for the Installation of a Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS)). Essentially these change the hazard or pollutant categories A, B, C and D to corresponding hazard or pollutant categories X, Y, Z and OS, using the same AIS transmission digits 1, 2, 3 and 4.

MIN 379 (M): Ship Security Officer certification: recognition
From 01 January 2008 the STCW Code has included training requirements for Ship Security Officers (SSOs). The MCA will accept an SSO certificate issued by another maritime administration if the individual’s Certificate of Competency has already been accepted, and the SSO certificate is issued under STCW Code A-VI/5.

Press releases for 01 - 28 February 2010
23 press releases on various subjects.

BERMUDA
No news this month.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Marine Circular No. 03/2009: Merchant Shipping (Safety Commercial Sailing and Motor Vessels) Regulations
Following the publication of Marine Circular No. 01/2009 in November 2009, a number of queries have been received by the VISR in relation to compliance requirements under the Small Commercial Vessel Codes. This Circular clarifies the requirements concerning the three main issues raised: liferafts, stability, and qualifications.

CAYMAN ISLANDS
No news this month.

GIBRALTAR
Shipping Information Notice 025: Radio Navigation Warning – ECDIS
Details of the important Radio Navigation warning from the UK Hydrographic Office at 1800Z on Monday 15 February 2010 advising that ECDIS may not display some isolated shoal depths when operating in "base or standard display" mode.

Shipping Guidance Notice 012: Incident Report Form
Clarification of the GMA’s requirement for Masters and Owners to complete an Incident Report Form for accidents which led to death or significant injury, or to loss or abandonment of the vessel or to her suffering material damage; any stranding, collision, fire, explosion or major breakdown; any incident causing harm to any person or the environment; and any incident which might have led to injury or which hazarded the ship.

Shipping Information Notices: current index list (as of Dec 2009)
The complete list of all current Shipping Information Notices issued by the GMA.

Gibraltar Maritime Legislation
A table of all current Gibraltar Maritime Legislation, with hyperlinks to the relevant Acts, Regulations and Rules.

ISLE OF MAN
No news this month.

MALTA
No news this month.

MARSHALL ISLANDS
Marine Notice 2-013-9: Vessel Response Plans and salvage and marine fire-fighting capability
The purpose of this MN is to inform vessel owners/operators that 22 February 2011 is the revised date set by the USCG by which a Vessel Response Plan for a vessel carrying Group I-IV oils must include the salvage and marine fire-fighting requirements of 73 FR 80618-80654.

Marine Safety Advisory 06-10 (revised)
Gulf of Aden February convoy information.

Marine Safety Advisory 07-10
Fire prevention and electrical safety.

Marine Safety Advisory 08-10
ONI Special Advisory – Indian Ocean / Arabian Sea.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Circular SOL 040: Means of embarkation and disembarkation
Clarification of the requirements of SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-9 (adopted by Resolution MSC.256 (84)), which states that approved means of embarkation / disembarkation for use in port and for port-related operations must be installed on ships whose keels are laid on or after 01 January 2010.

Manta Maritime provides the following services to the luxury yachting industry:
• Regulatory & technical consulting
• New-build support & supervision (including steelwork inspections)
• Safety management systems - s@fe&simple (mini ISM) and s@fe&secure (ISM/ISPS)
• Condition assessments (pre-purchase surveys)
• Stability assessments and preparing Stability Information Booklets

For more information on Manta Maritime and our services please contact us.

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