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"M/V Blue Atlantic" Fined US$500.000.00 for Violating Liberian Maritime Law.
(April 28, 2010) - The Bureau of Maritime Affairs (the BMA) is an Autonomous Agency of Government that has the responsibility of administering the Liberian Maritime Program and is clothed with the authority to enforce all International Maritime Organizations regulations.
On January 31, 2008, the BMA was informed that a Liberian registered vessel named “M/V Blue Atlantic” entered the break waters of the Freeport of Monrovia at 18: 40 GMT and was berthed under the military surveillance of a French Naval vessel. The vessel with IMO NO. 6806559 with a gross tonnage of 716 and a call sign: MNFW9 falls under the jurisdiction of the Liberian Maritime Law and Regulations.
Upon inspection, the owners, master, and crew could not provide any vessel registration documents to the Liberian authorities to verify that the vessel was in compliance with the requirements of all applicable international conventions and the Liberian Maritime Law. From the perusal of our records, it was discovered that the “Blue Atlantic”, a cargo ship with 716 gross tons was issued a certificate of seaworthiness on April 6, 2006 which was to remain in force until 6 of September 2006. Furthermore, the vessel is not classed in violation of chapter 1, Section 2 (page2) (RLM) of the requirement for Vessel Registration and Classification. Moreover, 2.4 metric tons of cocaine was found aboard the vessel.
Accordingly, the BMA has fined the “M/V Blue Atlantic” the amount of US $ 500.000.00 to be paid to the BMA as penalty in violation of Chapter II Section 2.35 (1, 2 & 4; page 7) of the Liberian Maritime Law. In addition, they have failed to comply with Chapter I, Section 2A, page 2, regarding the Requirements for Vessel Registration. Furthermore, they have violated Annex III of MARPOL regarding the carriage of Harmful Substance Packaged, ratified by Liberia on 5 January 1996.
- In this light, the BMA has authorized and instructed the National Port Authority (the NPA) not to allow the “M/V Blue Atlantic” to sail from Liberian ports until it pays the FINE of
- US $ 500.000.00 to the BMA, and corrects all identified deficiencies in compliance with all International Maritime Conventions and Liberian Maritime Law. When these requirements are met, the BMA will issue an official clearance authorizing the National Port Authority to release the vessel to its owners, master and crew or Agent (s).
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