Shipping

The Merchant Shipping Directorate published Technical Notice SLS.27 reminding “Ship Owners, Ship Operators, Managers, Masters, Owners’ Representatives and Recognised Organisations” of the importance of the reporting obligations under “SOLAS Regulation I/1(c); MARPOL Annex I Regulation 6.4.3; MARPOL Annex II Regulation 8.3.3; MARPOL Annex IV Regulation 4.9; [and] MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 5.6”.

If Masters of ships fail to duly report deficiencies or initiate appropriate action, this will lead Port State Authorities to believe that the ship intends to sail without addressing these deficiencies and this may possibly result in detention of the ship. In order to avoid detention due to failure to meet the said reporting obligations, Ship Owners, DPAs and Masters of Maltese Ships must review their Safety Management System (SMS) so as to ensure that all the reporting procedures are in place.

Should there be any defect or inoperable equipment or system, the Directorate must be duly notified by email prior to the vessel’s call at port. The Master and crew, must inform the correct port State control section of the Port Authority in question, and must report all defects and inoperable equipment or systems to the Owner so that proper corrective action is initiated. The Master of the vessel must also make certain to inform the Recognized Organisation immediately so that Surveyors, Auditors, or Inspectors may attend as may be necessary. Moreover companies should also ensure that measures are put in place in order to enhance implementation procedures and introduce new ones should these be necessary.

Click here to read the full text of the relative Technical Notice SLS.27, or contact us on shipreg@ganadoadvocates.com for further guidance and information.