Sierra Leone Ports & Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has issued a circular for all vessels operating in Sierra Leonean waters to comply with the IMO’s AIS regulations and warns that failure to do so may lead to fines or legal action.
As informed, the SLPHA has raised concerns regarding vessels operating within the Pilotage district of Sierra Leone that have either deliberately turned off their AIS or uploaded incorrect information, which could lead to catastrophic maritime incidents.
In accordance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Regulation V/19.2.4, all vessels of 300 GT and above, engaged in international voyages, as well as all passenger ships, must have AIS on board. The SLPHA stresses that any failure to comply with this regulation will result in fines or legal action.
Furthermore, the SLPHA has announced the commencement of IMO 2020 fuel testing starting October 1, 2024. Under this regulation, all vessels arriving in Sierra Leone will undergo fuel sampling, including tests on both running and stored fuel, at a fee of $500 per test.
Source: https://safety4sea.com/sierra-leone-warns-that-vessels-turning-off-ais-will-face-legal-action/