Focus on port state control compliance

The checklist is designed to help crews and ship managers avoid the most common Port State Control (PSC) non-compliances. These were identified after a comprehensive sample analysis, supported by ship inspectors from the UK P&I Club, of the classed fleet between 2007 and 2009.

“The objectives of an effective onboard safety management system are to ensure safety at sea, prevent injury and loss of life and to avoid damage to the environment and property, as required by the ISM code,” said Capt Jim Barclay, manager of LR’s Port State Control section. “Yet PSC inspections increasingly identify ISM failures, often based on a combination of other deficiencies, which result in the costly detention a ship. This guide will help a ship’s personnel to ensure that the requirements of the ISM and ISPS codes are addressed.”

The most common deficiencies noted by authorities in ISM-related detentions involve the maintenance of the ship and its equipment, a category which had three-and-a-half times more deficiencies noted than any other.

Non-compliances related to maintenance are usually raised when the PSC officer finds serious or multiple technical deficiencies. Barclay said it was important that all on-board maintenance regimes were robust and that any defects were dealt with promptly. When defects related to classification or statutory certificates cannot be immediately and permanently repaired, they need to be reported to the flag state or the classification society, and the authorities should be notified before arrival at port.

“Our inspectors generally find that UK Club-entered ships exhibit and observe high standards in terms of structure, equipment, safety and maintenance and demonstrate a high level of seafarer skills across the operational spectrum,” said Karl Lumbers, the UK Club’s loss prevention director “However, they are finding that Port State Control is focusing ever more closely on compliance with procedures. It is frustrating and expensive for owners of quality ships to fall foul of PSC for slight deviations from what is laid down in the manuals and compliance guides. This pocket checklist will help masters and operators to avoid fines and detentions for technical and significant procedural and compliance shortcomings.”

Other common short-comings found in the analysis related to emergency preparedness, reporting and record-keeping, documentation, security related deficiencies, shipboard operations plans, resources and personnel, company and master’s responsibility and authority, and safety and environmental policy.