The Republic of Liberia has issued a Marine Operations Note, to inform Liberian Vessel Operators of the Administration’s requirement to submit a pre-arrival deficiency checklist (RLM-258) 96 hours prior to arriving to ports in Australia, China, Europe and USA.
The Liberian Administration has noticed that there has been an increased number of detentions in the USA as vessels are arriving without preparation for a USCG inspection.
In the event of consecutive US port calls, the RLM 258 needs only be submitted prior to the first US port. An updated RLM 258 must be submitted if the condition of the vessel changes during these consecutive port calls or after the vessel calls a port outside the US.
Failure to submit to submit a copy of the NOA and the completed RLM 258 to the Administration may result in suspension of the Master’s and/or Chief Engineer’s Liberian credentials and/or an additional audit of the vessel or Company SMS. Masters and Chief Engineers are reminded to document their actions to report defects, identify nonconformities, and initiate corrective action in accordance with the ships.
The Pre-arrival compliance checklist includes:
Port State inspection
- Have you checked the top detainable deficiencies?
- Have the deficiencies from the previous PSC examination been rectified?
- Has the corrective action report been submitted to the administration?
General
- Are the conditions of any valid dispensation being met and local authorities being informed?
- Are there any overdue conditions of class?
- Are there any soft patches or temporary repairs not approved by the class on piping systems?
Cleanliness of engine room and other machinery spaces
- Are there fuel oil, lube oil or hydraulic leaks on operating machinery and oil-soaked lagging?
- Is there excessive bilge water in the engine room (or any other fire hazards in all machinery spaces)?
- Has the Steering gear been tested in all modes?
- Are the steering alarms operational?
Quick closing valves
- Are all quick closing fuel valves working properly?
- Are temporary blocks to force valves in the open position used?
- Are all pneumatic lines connected?
Fixed water-mist fire extinguishing systems
- Are all valves in the correct alignment (OPEN) and is the system FULLY operational?
- Is the system in “AUTOMATIC MODE” and not “MANUAL MODE”?
Fire dampers, quick or self-closing devices, remote controls, etc.
- Are fire dampers tested from local and remote control to ensure that they close tightly and there is no mechanical binding or light leakage observed?
Lifeboat and rescue boat
- Do the lifeboat and rescue boat engines start immediately, and the rudders have good freedom of movement?
- Is the rescue boat launching appliance operational?
- Do the lifeboat windows have good visibility and are not obscured, hazed or opaque? No cracks or fractures shall be present.
- Are there cracks or fractures in the lifeboat hulls or temporary repairs of any kind?
- Is the water spray system working properly?
- Nozzles are not clogged?
