Technical Circular No: 013/2022
Download PDF1. In view of the current geopolitical conflict and increased naval activity within the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Administration vide Ship Security Advisory No. 02-22 requires, with immediate effect;
a) Setting of Ship Security Level III (or equivalent security measures) for all RMI flagged vessels operating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Ukraine.
b) Setting of SHIP SECURITY LEVEL II (or equivalent security measures) for RMI flagged vessels in the Black Sea EEZ of Russia.
c) Commercial vessels should not attempt to enter the Sea of Azov since access will be denied by Russian military forces.
2. The above requirements are temporary and subject to change as the situation progress.
3. Further, the Administration has provided following guidance/ information for owners/ managers and masters of RMI flagged vessels in this regard:
a) Ships currently located at Ukrainian ports must remain in place until permission to depart is granted by the Ukrainian military. Security measures equivalent to Security Level III must be implemented while held at port. Crew should not attempt to disembark the ship unless instructed to do so by the Ukrainian military.
b) Commercial vessels are advised to avoid any transit or operation within the EEZ of Ukraine or Russia within the Black Sea. Access to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait is currently blocked by Russian forces.
c) All Ukrainian ports have been closed by the Ukrainian military. Commercial ships may not enter or leave port at this time.
d) Access to the northwest Black Sea, north of 45° 21’ is restricted by the Russian Navy.
e) Commercial operations within the EEZ of Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania are currently unaffected.
f) Vessels must ensure the automatic identification system (AIS) is always transmitting (except when the master believes that continuing to operate AIS might compromise the safety or security of the ship or when a security incident is imminent), consistent with provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and monitor VHF Channel 16.
g) Any vessels hailed by military vessels should comply fully with instructions. h) Armed security personnel are not to be embarked while operating in the Black Sea.
4. In the event of any incident or suspicious activity, RMI-flagged vessels should notify the Administrator, the NATO Shipping Center (NSC) and activate the Ship Security Alert System.
5. Owners/ managers and masters of RMI flagged vessels are advised to take note of the above requirements and ensure compliance.
Enclosure:
Disclaimer:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.