A Port State control visit on a ship normally begins with an examination of documents in accordance with Annex 10 of the Paris MOU as standard. In addition, PSCO performs a general inspection of various areas of the ship to verify that the general condition of the ship complies with the requirements of various contracts. If no deficiencies are found during the inspection, PSCO will issue a 'clean' inspection report (Form A) to the master of the ship. If deficiencies are detected, the audit report will include the deficiencies found report (Form B) specifying the follow-up actions to be taken to correct the identified deficiencies. Then the details of the relevant ship and the inspection results will be recorded in the database.
In addition, a check of compliance with operational requirements on board may be included during an inspection, especially if the PSCO has reason to believe that the crew has demonstrated insufficient proficiency in that area.
The following types of controls can be performed:
• Initial inspection
• More detailed inspection
• Expanded inspection
• Concentrated Inspection Campaign
First inspection
The initial inspection will consist of a visit on board to:
• Check the certificates and documents listed in Annex 10 of the MoU text;
• Check the general condition and hygiene of the ship, including:
1. Bridge
2. Living quarters and galley
3. Deck
4. Cargo holds
5. Engine room
• Meets generally accepted international rules and standards;
• If not done before, it checks whether the deficiencies found in a previous audit by an Authority are corrected in accordance with the time period specified in the audit report
More detailed review
When, during an inspection, there are clear reasons to believe that the condition of the ship or its equipment or personnel does not substantially meet the relevant requirements of a relevant reference source, a more detailed inspection will be conducted. When a Port State Control Officer finds evidence that, in his professional judgment, warrants a further examination of the ship, its equipment or its crew, clear justifications for intensive inspection arise.The absence of valid certificates or documents is considered a clear justification. Other clear examples of justification can be found in Annex 9, paragraph 6 of the text of the MoU.
A more detailed review will include an in-depth review of the following topics:
1. Documentation
2. Structural situation
3. Emergency systems
4. Radio communication
5. Cargo operations
6. Fire safety
7. Alarms
8. Living and working condition
9. Navigation equipment
10. Lifesaving vehicles
11. Dangerous Goods
12. Propulsion and auxiliary machinery
13. Pollution prevention
Further audit will consider the human elements covered by the ILO, ISM and STCW and will include operational controls as appropriate.
Expanded Inspection:
An extended inspection will include checking the general condition, including the human element where relevant in the following risk areas:
1. Documentation
2. Structural situation
3. Water/airtight condition
4. Emergency systems
5. Radio communication
6. Cargo operations
7. Fire safety
8. Alarms
9. Living and working conditions
10. Navigation equipment
11. Lifesaving vehicles
12. Dangerous Goods
13. Propulsion and auxiliary machinery
14. Prevention of pollution
Verification of specific items listed for each type of ship in these risk areas should be part of an extended audit, subject to restrictions on practical and practical feasibility or safety of persons, ship, or port.
The Survey should use its professional judgment to determine the appropriate depth of inspection or testing of each item. However, he should be aware that the safe conduct of certain onboard operations, such as cargo handling, may be compromised by the tests performed during such operations.
The extended audit will take into account the human elements covered by the ILO, ISM and STCW and will include operational controls as appropriate.
Concentrated control campaign.
Concentrated inspection campaigns focus on specific areas where PSCOs face high levels of deficiencies or where new contractual requirements have recently come into force. Campaigns run for a period of 3 months (September - November) each year and are combined with a regular audit.
Over the years the following topics have been the focus of a CIC. This campaign will run for three months starting September 1, 2022 and ending November 30, 2022. CIC inspections will apply to all ships and will be conducted in conjunction with the normal Port State Control inspection.
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