Supersedes: Marine Notice SAF-010, dated 05/26

  1. SCOPE & PURPOSE

This Newsletter aims to inform all ship-owners, operators and Masters of vessels about the issuance of Marine Notice SAF-010 by the Liberia Maritime Authority. This Marine Notice provides guidance to vessel owners, operators and managers in the development and approval of Ship Structural Access Manuals (SSAM) to meet the requirements of regulation II-1/3-6 of SOLAS, as amended.

The following changes have been included:

1. Section 1.2 i) revised to clarify inspection interval for permanent means of access (PMA) to cargo oil tanks, further to the guidance in MSC.1/Circ.1572/Rev.2, and to advise that records should be readily available to persons using the means of access and a copy attached to the SSAM even if inspection records are kept in a vessel’s PMS, and that a copy of the interpretation be included in the SSAM.

2. Appendix II updated for latest checklist.

For the full text please follow the link below.

• Marine Notice SAF-010

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at psc@phrs.co.com or the Liberia Registry at regsandstandards@liscr.com .

1. SCOPE & PURPOSE

This Newsletter aims to inform all ship-owners, operators and Masters of vessels about the Top detainable deficiencies identified by the Liberian Registry for July 2026, based on recent Port State Control (PSC) statistics, and to enhance awareness on common root causes, preventive measures, and survey focus areas.

The most frequently identified detainable deficiencies (with codes) include:

• Auxiliary engine – 13102
• Propulsion main engine – 13101
• Maintenance of the ship and equipment – 15109
• Lifeboats – 11101
• Gauges, thermometers etc. – 13103
• Fire fighting equipment and appliances – 7110
• Fire-dampers – 7115
• ISM – 15150
• Ventilators, air pipes , casing – 3108
• Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions – 7105
• Nautical Publications – 10116
• Emergency source of power - Emergency generator – 4114
• Rescue boats – 11104
• Emergency lighting, batteries and switches – 4103
• Fixed fire extinguishing installation – 7109
• Oil accumulation in engine room – 7126
• Fire pumps and its pipes – 7113
• Fire Detection – 07106
• Certificates ( Cra Not issued, RLM 258 checklist not filled, Overdue , ETC) – 01199

 2.  COMMON ROOT CAUSES OF PSC DETENTIONS

PSC inspections indicate that detainable deficiencies often arise from:

• Inadequate maintenance or testing of safety-critical equipment;
• Lack of effective onboard verification prior to arrival at port;
• Insufficient crew familiarization and training, particularly for emergency duties;
• Incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated documentation and records.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHIP-OWNERS AND OPERATORS

To reduce the risk of PSC detention, ship-owners and operators should be strongly encouraged to:

• Conduct pre-arrival internal checks, focusing on:
• Fire safety systems
• Life-Saving Appliances (LSA)
• ISM implementation
• Pollution prevention equipment
• Ensure all safety and emergency equipment is operational, tested, and readily available;
• Verify that crew are familiar with emergency duties and ship-specific procedures;
• Review and update statutory certificates, logs, and records prior to port entry;
• Pay particular attention to recurring PSC deficiency areas highlighted in this Circular and in PHRS PSC bulletins.

As a recognized organization, PHRS will continue to:

• Monitor PSC trends affecting ships classed and/or certified by PHRS;
• Share relevant information for awareness and preventive purposes through Technical Circulars, Newsletters, and PSC Bulletins;
• Support ship-owners and operators through technical guidance, clarification, and proactive engagement.

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at psc@phrs.co.com.

1. MERCHANT MARINE NOTICE 18/2021 - SEGUMAR OFFICES CONTACT POINTS (24/7 GLOBAL COVERAGE)

Panama Maritime Authority has published Merchant Marine Notice MMN-18/2021. This Merchant Marine Notice replaces MMN-03/2021 – SEGUMAR Hong Kong Office. The purpose of this Marine Notice is to communicate to all interested parties about our 24/7 service coverage through PMA’s technical offices worldwide.

  For the full text please follow the link below.

• MMN-18/2021

2. MERCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR 193 - OPTIONAL AND VOLUNTARY SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC BOOKS OR ELECTRONIC RECORD BOOKS ON BOARD PANAMANIAN FLAGGED VESSELS.

This Merchant Marine Circular has the purpose of informing all interested parties that this Administration has established through Resolution No.106-52-DGMM of September 9, 2024, the regulatory scheme for the approval of the voluntary use of Electronic Record Books on board Panamanian vessels, assuring in this way, that the international standards of maritime safety and pollution prevention contained within the International Conventions ratified by the Republic of Panama are complied with.

For the full text please follow the link below.

• MMC-193

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at regulatory@phrs.co.com  or Panama’s email at segumar.headoffice@segumar.com

1. SCOPE

This Newsletter aims to inform all interested parties about the publication of 3 Marine Circulars (MC 161/26, MC 160/26, MC 158/26) by the St. Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry. The purpose of these Marine Circulars is to provide clear regulatory guidance and to support the consistent implementation of applicable Flag State requirements throughout the fleet. Stakeholders are reminded that compliance with Flag Administration instructions, international conventions, and statutory reporting obligations is fundamental to maintaining the safety, security, and operational integrity of St. Kitts & Nevis flagged vessels.

2. MC 161/26 – LRIT REPORTING

This Circular consolidates and updates the Flag Administration's requirements regarding the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT), including provisions related to LRIT compliance, Authorized Service Providers (ASPs), LRIT Conformance Test Reports (CTRs), and mandatory annual testing requirements. It is intended to facilitate the effective implementation of LRIT obligations and to ensure the continued compliance of St. Kitts & Nevis flagged vessels with applicable SOLAS requirements.

For the full text please follow the link below.

• MC 161/26

3. MC 160/26 – IMO DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM (IMO DCS)

This Circular reminds shipowners, managers, operators, and masters of their obligations concerning the monitoring, verification, reporting, and submission of fuel oil consumption data in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI and the IMO Data Collection System (IMO DCS). Compliance with these requirements is essential to meeting international environmental protection objectives and maintaining the vessel's certification status.

For the full text please follow the link below.

• MC 160/26

4. MC 158/26 – MANDATORY REPORTING OF DECEASED AND MISSING SEAFARERS

This Circular establishes the mandatory reporting requirements applicable to all incidents involving deceased or missing seafarers serving on board St. Kitts & Nevis flagged vessels. Timely reporting to the Flag Administration is critical to supporting compliance with international obligations, facilitating necessary investigations, fulfilling welfare and casualty reporting requirements, and enabling appropriate regulatory oversight.

For the full text please follow the link below.

• MC 158/26

Additionally, a new entry has been made to additional surveys: LRIT Conformance Test.

After 1 November 2026, all applicable St. Kitts and Nevis flagged vessels shall complete the new conformance test and hold only LRIT Conformance Test Reports issued in accordance with the new conformance testing standard.

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at regulatory@phrs.co.com  or SKAN’s email at enquiries@skanregistry.com .