Requirements for MARPOL surveys in RMI-flagged yachts

The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) registry issued a Marine Notice, in order to address the procedures and documentation requirements for RMI-flagged yachts, to obtain and maintain certification, in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annexes I, IV, V, and VI.

This Notice is applicable to all yachts which are required to comply with the provisions of MARPOL subject to the applicability of each Annex. For the purposes of the MARPOL Annexes IV and V, if the applicability of a requirement is determined by the number of persons carried on board, the number shown on the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (supplement) or the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate shall be used as such figure. If the vessel does not hold either of these certificates the figure shall be determined by the number of persons for whom permanent overnight accommodations can be provided.

Requirements

General

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In accordance with the RMI Yacht Code and Chapter VII of the MI-100, all RMI-flagged yachts must comply with all applicable statutory requirements.
All yachts of 400 gross tons (GT) and above must carry out Initial, Annual, Intermediate, and Renewal Surveys and maintain certificates and records for MARPOL Annex I (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil), including Regulations 15, 17 and 37.
Yachts of 400 GT and above and those certified to carry more than 15 persons, regardless of tonnage, must carry out Initial and Renewal Surveys and maintain certificates for MARPOL Annex IV (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships).
All yachts must maintain compliance with MARPOL Annex V (Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships). Those of 400 GT and above and those certified to carry 15 or more persons, regardless of tonnage, shall maintain a Garbage Record Book.
All yachts of 100 GT and above and those certified to carry 15 or more persons, regardless of tonnage, shall carry a Garbage Management Plan.
All yachts of 400 GT and above must carry out Initial, Annual, Intermediate, and Renewal Surveys and maintain certificates and records for MARPOL Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Air), including the Regulation 22 of Annex VI referencing the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).
All yachts, regardless of gross tonnage shall comply with the requirements of MARPOL Annex VI regulation 13 referencing the certification of each marine diesel engine with a power output of more than 130 kilowatts (kW) installed and/or which undergoes or is undergoing a major conversion, on or after 01 January 2000.
Subject to regulation 3 of MARPOL Annex VI, in an emission control area designated for Tier III NOX control under paragraph 6 of regulation 13, the entry into force of amendments to regulation 13 setting forth revised standards in paragraph 5.1.1 for the operation of a marine diesel engine that is installed on a ship in accordance with paragraph 5.1.2, shall not apply to:

a marine diesel engine installed on a yacht with a length, as defined in regulation 1.19 of MARPOL Annex I, of less than 24 meters (m) when it has been specifically designed, and is used solely, for recreational purposes; or
a marine diesel engine installed on a ship with a combined nameplate diesel engine propulsion power of less than 750 kW if it is demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the RMI Maritime Administrator (the “Administrator”), that the ship cannot comply with the standards set forth in paragraph 5.1.1 of regulation 13 because of design or construction limitations of the ship; or
a marine diesel engine installed on a yacht constructed prior to 01 January 2021 of less than 500 GT, with a length, as defined in regulation 1.19 of MARPOL Annex I, of 24 meters or over when it has been specifically designed, and is used solely, for “recreational purposes.”
For the purposes of the standards set forth above in paragraph 5.1.2 of regulation 13, the term “recreational purposes” shall apply to private yachts, private yachts limited charter and commercial yachts.

Procedure for Surveys

It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary surveys are carried out and to ensure that all pertinent certificates are maintained within the term of validity and the original copies are kept onboard the yacht at all times.
Failure to comply with §2.1 above, which results in an overdue status of the certificates or endorsements, could lead to consequences with Port State Control (PSC) Authorities and to the invalidity of the Certificate of Registry.
The owner may choose to have any yacht classed, surveyed and certified by a Classification Society as a Recognized Organization (RO). The ROs recognized by the Administrator are the following: