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Part A Operational Requirements
2023 Laws not yet authenticated through a Commencement Order

Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2023)

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Part A
Operational Requirements

1   General Provisions

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    1.1     A vessel shall be operated in accordance with applicable legislation and in such a manner as to afford adequate precaution against hazards, which might endanger the vessel, its passengers and cargo.

2   Marine Casualties

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    2.1     The owner, agent, master or person in charge of a vessel involved in a marine casualty shall give notice as soon as possible to the Administration whenever the casualty involves any of the following—

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      .1     any grounding or collision which creates a hazard to navigation, the environment or the safety of the vessel;

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      .2     loss of main propulsion, primary steering or any associated component or control system, the loss of which causes a reduction of the manoeuvring capabilities of the vessel;

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      .3     an occurrence materially and adversely affecting the vessel's seaworthiness or fitness for service or route, including but not limited to fire, flooding, failure of or damage to fixed fire extinguishing systems, lifesaving equipment, auxiliary power generating equipment or bilge pumping systems;

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      .4     loss of life;

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      .5     injury which requires professional medical treatment beyond first aid and, in the case of a person engaged or employed on board a vessel in commercial service, which renders the individual unfit to perform routine vessel duties; or

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      .6     an occurrence resulting in damage to property estimated to be in excess of US $10,000, including the cost of labour and material to restore the property to service condition.

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    2.2     The notice required by VIII/2.1 shall include the name and identity number of the vessel involved, the name of the vessel's owner or agent, the nature and circumstances of the casualty, the locality in which it occurred, the nature and extent of injury to persons and the damage to property.

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    2.3     In addition to the notice required by VIII/2.1, the owner, master, agent or person in charge of the vessel shall, within 3 days, provide a report in writing to the Administration. The report shall contain the information required by VIII/2.2 and where submitted without delay after the occurrence of the casualty, suffices as the notice required by VIII/2.1.

3   Logbook

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    3.1     Every vessel certified for operation on exposed waters on an international voyage shall have a Logbook on board. The master shall make or have made in the Logbook the following entries—

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      .1     when a marine casualty occurs, a statement about the casualty and the circumstances under which it occurred, made immediately after the casualty when practicable to do so;

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      .2     details of the voyage, including course and weather conditions at least every 4 hours, and drills tests required by this Chapter;

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      .3     each death on board and the cause of death;

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      .4     the name of each seaman who ceases to be a crew member, except by death, with the time, place, manner and the cause why the seaman ceased to be a crew member; and

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      .5     details of drills and training required by regulations VIII/10 and VIII/11.

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    3.2     The log entry required by VIII/3.1.2 in respect of abandon ship man overboard and fire drills and training shall include the following information—

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      .1     date of the drill and training; and

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      .2     general description of the drill scenario and training topics.

4   Miscellaneous Operating Requirements

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    4.1     The master shall ensure the vessel is navigated at all times in a safe and controlled manner. The master shall also ensure that all of the provisions of the Certificate of Inspection are adhered to; however, the master may divert from the route prescribed in the Certificate of Inspection or take such other steps as are deemed necessary and prudent to assist vessels in distress or for other similar emergencies.

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    4.2     The master shall ensure that applicable stability requirements are adhered to at all times.

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    4.3     The master shall ensure that steering gear, controls and communication systems are tested before every voyage commences and prior to entering harbour.

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    4.4     All hatches and openings in the hull of a vessel shall be kept tightly closed except when being used. All watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads shall be kept tightly closed during the navigation of the vessel except when being used for transit between compartments.

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    4.5     A vessel shall not take on fuel having a flashpoint of 43.3°C (110°F) or lower, when passengers are on board.

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    4.6.1     A passenger vessel shall not carry dangerous goods except when allowed to do so under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).

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    4.6.2     The requirements of Chapter VII of SOLAS 74 shall apply to the carriage of dangerous goods classified in regulation 2 of that Chapter, which are carried in vessels in packaged form or in solid form in bulk as appropriate.

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    4.6.3     The Administration may apply the requirements of VIII/4.6.2 according to the service characteristics of the vessel and the risks associated with its operations, taking into account the safety of persons on board, the safety of property at sea and the protection of the marine environment from pollution.

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    4.7     Whenever an automatic pilot is used the master shall ensure that—

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      .1     it is possible at all times to immediately establish manual control of the vessel's steering;

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      .2     a competent person is ready at all times to take over steering control; and

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      .3     the changeover from automatic to manual steering and vice versa is made by, or under the supervision of, the master or the senior officer on watch.

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