Change of Flag

2Change Of Flag

SUMMARY

► INTRODUCTION

► ADMINISTRATIVE VERIFICATION

► RECOGNITIONS

► SURVEYS (CLASS & STATUTORY)

► REGULARISATION OF MANUALS AND DOCUMENTS

3Change Of Flag

1. Introduction

► Ships change flag for a variety of reasons :

• Owner may decide that the flag overcharges for the privilege of flying flag,

• The Managers / Charterers may require that ship flies a particular flag,

• In connection with sale of ship,

• Commercial reasons

4Change Of Flag

2. Administrative Verification

► Before the Change of Flag (COF) surveys are started, the surveyor must examine the documents related Class and Statutory,

► Surveyor refers to BV procedures i.e. TNS.10, 16 and 17 and TNS.18 for flag recognition,

► The Certificate of Registry (Definitive/Provisional) or equivalent is to be presented to the surveyors by the owners,

► The Certificate of Registry is to be checked that all ship’s characteristics are correct.

5Change Of Flag

Recognitions

► BEFORE COMMENCING THE CHANGE OF FLAG SURVEYS, THE SURVEYOR MUST MAKE SURE THAT BV HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT THE STATUTORY SURVEYS AND TO ISSUE THE STATUTORY CERTIFICATES ON BEHALF OF NEW FLAG.

6Change Of Flag

Surveys (Class & Statutory)

► Before commencing the surveys, the surveyor :

• to confirm that all required documents are available on board,

• No recommendation and/or survey overdue

• If there is due recommendation and/or survey in window, the owner should be proposed that they will be conducted together with COF surveys,

• The surveyor asks “Carving & Marking” note, where applicable,

7Change Of Flag

Surveys (Class & Statutory)

► If COF survey is conducted outside window, scope of surveys :

• Safety Construction : Annual survey,

• Safety Equipment: Annual survey/Renewal (Last Renewal/Initial survey > 2 years),

• Safety Radio: Renewal/Periodical Survey,

• Passenger Ship Safety: Radio-Renewal/Periodical Survey, FFE/LSA-Annual Survey,

• ILLC : Annual Survey,

• MARPOL (Annex.I and Annex.VI) : Annual Survey

• MARPOL Annex.IV: Renewal Survey,

• Fitness Gas/Chemical and NLS: Annual Survey,

• Other Statutory Surveys not listed: Annual Survey,

8Change Of Flag

Surveys (Class & Statutory)

► If the COF survey is conducted within the windows of the certificates appropriate renewal/periodical/intermediate/annual surveys are conducted,

► Surveys conducted within a three months time period prior to the date of COF may be credited towards COF with the exception of Safety Radio Survey,

► If BV was not in charge of the issuance of the existing certificates or previous flag was not a party to the relevant conventions, then appropriate initial/renewal surveys are conducted for SOLAS Safety Radio, Safety Equipment, Passenger Ship Safety, ILLC, MARPOL (Annex.I, Annex.IV, Annex.VI), Fitness (Gas/Chemical/NLS)

9Change Of Flag

Regularisation of Manuals and Documents

► Following visa should be entered into Hull Annex :

• Occasional Survey of Hull further to Change of Flag and Port Registry.

► If Owner wants surveyor to issue a new Classification Certificate

• New Certificate issued shall never have longer validity than the previous ones,

• All class symbols, marks, notations and all information shall be copied from the existing certificate,

• All necessary annexes shall be filled in and all visas shall be copied with same numbering, on the front page following shall be endorsed Issued in lieu of certificate no:xxx following change of flag

10Change Of Flag

Regularisation of Manuals and Documents

► No erasure, rectification or correction shall be made on Statutory Certificates,

► New Certificates issued shall never have longer validity than the previous ones,

► If Statutory Certificate will be issued with recommendation, Flag authorization shall be obtained,

► Class Certificates, unless/otherwise required by the owners, can be amended with new ship’s details,

► Other documents, i.e. records, attestations, cargo gear register, manuals, stability documents, grain stability (if approved by BV, an attestation for COF may be issued for one single voyage)

11Change Of Flag

Regularisation of Manuals and Documents

► On tonnage document, no corrections are permitted. It must be renewed. For temporary use, until new one is issued, an attestation will be issued)

► Grain Loading documents if approved by BV, at the owner’s request, an attestation of flag change may be issued valid for one single voyage. It is to be approved by LPO/DT5 under flag, if BV is authorized, and Grain Approval attestation is issued.

► THE SURVEYOR SHOULD NEVER AFFIX HIS STAMP ON ANY DOCUMENT NOT ISSUED NOR PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY BV,

► THE INCCORECT NAME OR FLAG OR SHIP’S PARTICULARS MAY LEAD DETENTION OR DELAYS TO THE VESSEL

12Change Of Flag

Regularisation of Manuals and Documents

► Ship holding an Exemption Certificate from previous Flag, during COF surveys, an application shall be made to the new Flag for the renewal of exemption.

► If flag has changed to Liberia, photocopies of new Class Certificate with endorsed visa to be sent to CMI for transmitting them Liberia Flag,

► The previous certificates and copy of new certificates should be returned to CM

► SOPEP/SMPEP: For ships applying for the Bahamian or Marshall Islands flag, the SOPEP/SMPEP shall be re-drafted and re-approved to meet requirements of these Administrations.

► In any case, TNS 18 with the specific requirements of the new Flag is to be strictly followed.