The Liberia Maritime Authority has issued a Notice to highlight that a record of all incidents connected with the radio communication service shall be kept onboard. This applies to all vessels equipped with ship radio stations including GMDSS ship radio stations.
According to regulation, a Ship Radio/GMDSS Logbook issued by the Administration shall be kept on the navigation bridge convenient to the radio and/or GMDSS installation and made available for inspection by the Nautical Surveyors and other authorized personnel. Furthermore, the logbook must be kept in an orderly manner. Key letters or abbreviations may be used if their proper
meaning or explanation is contained elsewhere in the same logbook.
The Ship Radio/GMDSS Logbook is comprised of four sections as follows:
Section (A) – ship particulars
Section (B) – details of radio personnel
Section (C) – record of communications
Section (D) – communication equipment test and checks
The logs must be retained by the shipowner and/or operator for a period of two years from the date of the last entry, and, when applicable, for such additional periods as required by the following paragraphs:
(i) Logs relating to a distress situation or disaster must be retained for three years from the date of the last entry relating to a distress situation or disaster or longer if the owner and/or operator is so notified by the Administration.
(ii) If the Administration has notified the owner and/or operator of an investigation or complaint against the owner and/or operator or the ship’s station, the related logs must be retained until the owner and/or operator is specifically notified in writing by the Administration that retention of the logs beyond two or three years, as applicable, is no longer needed.
(iii) Logs maybe retained either on board the vessel or at the owner’s and/or operator’s primary office. If the logs are kept on board the vessel it is recommended that a copy also be filed at the owners’ and/or operator’s office. If the logs are only retained at the vessel owner’s and/or operator’s office then all entries in their original form must be retained on board the vessel for at least 30 days from the date of the last entry before being forwarded to the office.
Also, the logs must be made available to Administration upon request.
