Panama Maritime Authority, Bahamas Maritime Authority and Marshall Islands Government have issued Merchant Marine Circular MMC-213, BMA Information Bulletin No.23 (Revision no.03) and Marine Notice No.2-011-13 Rev.7/10 respectively in relation to revisions of the ISM Code on 1 July 2010. Both Administrations require comply with the following Flag State Special Requirements. (For details please refer to the attached documents)

Panama Maritime Authority
1. "A Guide to Risk Assessment in Ship Operations" developed by IACS to be used. (3.1)
2. In regard to exceptional circumstances under which the interval may be extended, it is the company who approves such extension. Therefore, the company should establish the criteria for the extension in the management system. (4)

Bahamas Maritime Authority
1. The Bahamas Maritime Authority will consider exceptional applications for exceeding the twelve month interval between audits for shipboard audit only. Companies claiming to be unable to carry out internal audit within the 12 month period should apply to the RO for acceptance to carry out the audit outside the necessary time frame, and within three months of the due date. The acceptability of any exceptional circumstances must be considered by the RO before any recommendation is made to BMA, in accordance with our agreed procedures. In all cases there shall be not less than five internal audits of ship and office during the five year validity of certification. (3.10)

Marshall Islands Government
1. All requests for an extension of the 12 month interval must be presented to the Administrator well in advance accompanied by documentation explaining why the internal audit cannot be conducted within the required timeframe. In all cases there shall be not less than five (5) internal audits of ship and office during the five (5) year validity of certification. (3.13.2)
2. Company policy that does not address risk assessment shall be considered a major nonconformity which requires immediate corrective action and a preliminary corrective action plan. (10.3.1)



(To be continued)