L12 - PSC Process and Procedures

Question 1

What is the inspection process of a PSCO?

Answer 1

1. Initial inspection
2. Clear grounds: specific reasons that justify a more detailed inspection

• Evidence of Non-Compliance
• Lack of Familiarity

3. Detailed Inspection

Question 2

What happens during an initial inspection?

Answer 2

Initial Inspection is the first step in the PSC process. When a ship enters a port, PSC officers (PSCOs) will carry out an initial inspection to verify if the ship and its operations comply with international maritime regulations.

During this inspection, PSCOs will generally:

1. Check Documentation:
   Review certificates and documents to ensure they are valid and up-to-date.
2. Visual Inspection:
   Conduct a brief visual inspection of the ship to look for obvious signs of non-compliance or deficiencies.
3. Crew Interaction:
   Speak with the master and crew to gauge their familiarity with ship operations and safety procedures.

Question 3

What are Clear Grounds?

Answer 3

Clear Grounds refer to specific reasons that justify a more detailed inspection.

Question 4

What are examples of clear grounds?

Answer 4

1. Absence of required equipment or
   arrangement
2. Evidence that a certificate is clearly
   invalid
3. Documentation not on board, incomplete, not or falsely maintained
4. Serious hull or structural deterioration of deficiencies
5. Serious deficiencies in the safety, pollution prevention or navigational equipment
6. Master or crew not familiar with essential shipboard operations
7. Key crew members may not be able to communicate
8. Emission of false distress alerts not
   followed by proper cancellation procedures
9. Report or complaint that ship appears to be substandard

Question 5

What is the “No more favourable treatment” principle?

Answer 5

A general principle under IMO IMO conventions that says:

– “when inspecting a ship flying the flag of a State which is not a Party to the Convention, PSCOs must ensure that the treatment of such a ship and its crew is not more favourable than that of a ship flying the flag of a State Party to that Convention”.

This means that whether the ship Flag is a Party or a Nonparty, PSC will treat them the same.

• Another words; all ships are subject to PSC inspections.
• This is a major principle for IMO working practices.

Question 6

How are ships targeted for inspection?

Answer 6

There is a risk-based approach for targeting ships that is followed.

Ships with a high risk profile should be subject to more frequent and thorough
inspections.

The risk-based system uses Multi-Criteria Decision Support (MCDS) Analysis methodology.

Question 7

What is the Multi-Criteria Decision Support Analysis methodology?

Answer 7

MCDS helps Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) prioritize and evaluate ships for inspection based on various risk factors and criteria. Various criteria are considered such as:

Ship age, type of ship (ship particulars), flag performance, company performance, RO performance (recognised organisation)

Question 8

What are the restrictions of Port State Control?

Answer 8

1. Generally limited to verifying the validity of certificates at initial inspection.
2. The Port State must be party to the relevant Convention to carry out an inspection.
3. PSC Officer when exercising “control” should not unduly detain the
   vessel.
4. There must be “clear grounds” for lack of, or deviations from certificates, in order for a more detailed inspection to be carried out.
5. If deficiencies are found that rendered the vessel “unseaworthy”, the vessel may be detained until the deficiencies are corrected.
6. If ship is detained, Flag State must be notified.

Question 9

What principle should the PSCO be guided by when detaining a ship?

Answer 9

PSC officer should be guided by the principle that:

– the requirements are essential for the protection of the marine environment; and that

– the departure from these requirements could constitute a threat of harm to the marine environment.

Question 10

Which MARPOL Annexes talk about ship detention?

Answer 10

MARPOL I and VI

Question 11

What are the MARPOL I detainable deficiencies?

Answer 11

1. Absence, serious deterioration or failure of proper operation of the oily water filtering equipment, the oil discharge monitoring and control system or the 15ppm alarm arrangements
2. Remaining capacity of slop and/or sludge tank insufficient for intended voyage
3. Oil Record Book not available
4. Unauthorized discharge bypass fitted

Question 12

What are the MARPOL VI detainable deficiencies?

Answer 12

1. Absence of valid certificates or documentation (e.g. IAPP Certificate
   and relevant EIAPP Certificates and NOx Technical Files, …).
2. Existence/absence of equipment as defined by the regulatory
   documents.
3. The sulphur content of any fuel used on board exceeds the allowable
   limits.
4. The master or crew are not familiar with essential procedures
   regarding the operation of air pollution prevention equipment
5. Judgment by the PSC Officer that the ship, if allowed to sail, will
   cause danger to marine environment.