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• Republic of Marshall Islands has issued a revised Marine Notice No. 2-013-4 (copy attached) providing the Administration’s policy towards approval of Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) and Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans (SMPEPs).

• Salient points of the notice are as follows:
  • SOPEP (MARPOL Regulation I/37) and SMPEP (MARPOL Regulation II/17) onboard RMI ships, as applicable, must be approved by the Administration.
  • In the case of ships to which both MARPOL Regulation I/37 and II/17 apply, the two plans may be combined into one with title as “Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP)” and same must be approved by the Administration.
  • The RMI Administration has authorized IRS and few other Classification Societies and Appointed Representatives (ARs) (for yachts) to approve these plans on its behalf.
  • At the time of change of Flag or Class (under the same management);

1. If SOPEP or SMPEP is previously approved by a Classification Society that is a member of the IACS, then same may not be submitted to the Administration for review. However, the attending surveyor will verify that necessary revisions have been made to reflect the RMI as the flag State. The vessel’s particulars page will also be verified.

2. Similarly, a SOPEP or SMPEP approved by the USCG in accordance with the MARPOL does not need to be submitted to the Administration for review. However, the attending surveyor will verify that the necessary revisions have been made to reflect the RMI as the flag State and that the port of registry and vessel name are updated appropriately.

3. If a SOPEP or SMPEP has been approved by an RO that is not a member of IACS or by an Administration other than the US, the RMI Administration must be consulted at: technical@register-iri.com

• SOPEP and SMPEP will require re-approval on change of management.

• All tankers and non-tank vessels (vessels of 400 gross tons or more that carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion) intending to trade in the United States are required to have a US Coast Guard (USCG) approved Vessel Response Plan (VRP) on board in addition to the SOPEPs. Vessels that do not have such a VRP may be subject to USCG enforcement action and may not be permitted to enter US waters.

• Ship owners/ operators and masters are advised to be guided by above.

Enclosure:

1. RMI Marine notice no.2-013-4 regarding Approval of SOPEP and SMPEP for Marshall Islands Ships. 

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