Shipping Notice 03/2006

Notice of British Consular Services Worldwide

Shipping Notice: CISN 03/2006

Published 4th October 2006, 3:58pm

Printable Version (including table of maritime related services available from any British Consular Office worldwide)

British Consular Services Available to Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) Vessels Worldwide.

This notice is directed primarily at:

Service providers providing services to Cayman Islands ships;

Owners, managers or operators of Cayman Islands ships, or their agents;

Masters of Cayman Islands ships;

Other users of services provided by the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) or the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI).

1. Background:

1.1 The full range of services and requirements connected with the registration and operation of ships is very broad and many of these are, necessarily, dealt with through the Flag Administration. In this context, for Cayman Islands ships, services are provided and standards monitored routinely through the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) under the authority of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI).

1.2 Notwithstanding the routine provision of services and the implementation and monitoring of standards through the CISR and MACI, Cayman Islands ships, in common with other ships registered in the United Kingdom or any other Red Ensign Group Member, are able to utilise the services available through any overseas British Consular Office. In addition, a Cayman Islands ship may seek the assistance of a British Consular Office in case of local difficulties, in conjunction with appropriate input and liaison from the Cayman Islands Maritime Administration.

2. Standard Maritime Related Consular Services Available

2.1 Because of the broad and diverse range of shipping services and requirements and because modern communication and Information Technology systems offer ready access to a ship’s Maritime Administration, it is neither necessary nor feasible for British Consular Offices to offer to Cayman Islands ships, as standard, the full range of maritime services to Cayman Islands ships as is available through the CISR and MACI. The United Kingdom has therefore issued a revised range of specific maritime related services which its Consular Offices will provide as standard to Cayman Islands ships. The revised range is equally applicable to United Kingdom ships and ships registered in any other REG Register.

2.2 The notice gives a summary of the specific maritime related services available from any British Consular Office worldwide. The reference numbers given with respect to the services are those used in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office “Table of Fees” and charges for the services, which are payable direct to the Consular Office concerned, are quoted in £ sterling. For the full range of services official charges levied by British Consular Offices please visit www.fco.gov.uk.

3. Procedure Where Other Assistance May Be Needed

3.1 The Master of a Cayman Islands ship can always contact the local British Consular Office in any port where such an office is located for general advice on issues not covered in the above Table. For Flag specific matters however, the Cayman Islands Maritime Administration (i.e. MACI) would need to coordinate matters with the Consular Office with respect to services not specifically provided for within the range of services normally available from the Consular Office.