L12 - Port State Control for Environmental Protection

Question 1

What is port State control (PSC)?

Answer 1

It is an inspection of foreign ships in national ports by an authorized inspector of the Maritime Administration for the purpose of verifying that:

– The ship is in compliance with International Conventions.

– The ship is manned and operated in compliance with applicable
international laws

Question 2

What is the purpose of PSC?

Answer 2

1. To ensure compliance of ships to regulations.
2. Detect and help to eliminate the sub-standard ships that are a threat to
   life, property, and the marine environment.

Question 3

Why are parties obligated to do PSC?

Answer 3

1. Ensuring compliance with international rules
2. Detaining substandard ships when warranted
3. Penalizing non-compliant ship if required.

Question 4

To carry out PSC obligations, they can:

Answer 4

1. Carrying out inspections
2. Applying a targeting system when selecting vessels to inspect
3. Harmonizing and strengthening PSC procedures as possible
4. Providing technical assistance and training where needed.

Question 5

What is the underlying authority of PSC?

Answer 5

The role and responsibility of a port State is derived from:

1. International treaties and conventions (IMO and ILO [International Labor Organization] )
2. National Laws
   » Powers to do various things: e.g. board and inspect a ship; detain and enforce detention; to act on criminal laws; to penalize etc.
3. Bilateral / multilateral agreements

In exercising port State control, Parties should only apply those provisions of the conventions which are in force
and which they have accepted

Question 6

Which IMO conventions include provisions that give rights to undertake
PSC?

Answer 6

1. MARPOL (The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) (Articles I and II, and in the provisions of all MARPOL Annexes)
2. SOLAS (The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea)
3. STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
4. Tonnage Measurement
5. Load Lines
6. COLREGS (The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea)