YOUR BIMCO GUIDE TO PREPARE FOR PORT STATE CONTROL INSPECTIONS IN THE U.S.A.
YOUR BIMCO GUIDE
TO PREPARE FOR
PORT STATE
CONTROL
INSPECTIONS
IN THE U.S.A.
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This guide has been prepared to protect YOU – the
crew – from unnecessary problems during Port
State Control inspections when calling at US ports.
This guide is not meant to help the bad guys avoid
getting caught, but rather to help you perform
your duties in a way that complies with regulations.
When rules are broken you may face fines and
possibly jail time.
This guide will provide general advice. Detailed
guidelines and instructions are available in the
Safety Management System (SMS) and Ship
Security Plan (SSP).
REMEMBER, ONE MISTAKE
CAN JEOPARDIZE THE FUTURE
FOR YOU AND YOUR COMPANY
Introduction 2
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Port State Control (PSC) is part of an international
effort to identify and eliminate substandard ships.
It is a process by which a country enforces international
rules relating to safety, security and the
environment over foreign ships in its waters
In addition a country may have its own laws and
regulations for any ship trading in its waters.
Countries have the rights to verify that ships operating
in their waters comply with SOLAS and MARPOL,
and to take action to bring these ships into compliance
if they do not.
The US Coast Guard will take action against ships
that do not in comply with laws or regulations.
THE GOAL IS TO IDENTIFY
AND ELIMINATE SUBSTANDARD
SHIPS FROM U.S. WATERS
What is Port
State Control? 3
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In 2005, 7,850 ships from 76 different countries
made 62,818 calls at US ports.
USCG conducted 10,430 PSC safety examinations.
127 ships were detained as a result of problems
found.
In other words, 99% of inspections found ships to
be safely operated!
Problems found
The reasons that ships get into trouble vary over
the years as the USCG focuses on current problems.
The Top-Three reasons are usually:
1. Safety
2. Machinery
3. Pollution
THE POLLUTION
OFFENCES MAY GET
CREW IN PRISON
The Facts 4
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If serious defects are found during an inspection
an expanded examination will be carried out.
For crew such inspections may result in investigations
of violations of US laws, some of which carry
criminal sanctions for the crew.
Lying to officials, for instance by presenting log
books, Oil Record Books or records with false or
incorrect entries, carries severe criminal penalties
in the USA.
The penalties for safety, security or environmental
violations can be less severe.
LYING TO OFFICIALS
IS A CRIME IN USA
Consequences 5
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A typical PSC Inspection sequence could include:
1. Inspecting the ship’s certificates
2. Looking at the ship’s condition, equipment and
the crew at work
3. Looking at any target areas that the PSC
Officers prioritise, such as security or pollution.
IF SOMETHING LOOKS
WRONG – EXPECT TO
BE INVESTIGATED!
What are they looking for? 6
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Imagine a PSC Officer being met at the ship by:
• a dirty or oily gangway
• a daydreaming watchman
• sloppy ISPS procedures
• a messy deck and accommodation
• crew in doubt of their assigned duties
an unnecessary bad start on what could otherwise
have been a trouble free PSC!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
HAVE AN IMPACT!
Good work wasted! 7
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Once on board, PSC Officers start by checking the
ship’s certificates.
They will want to make sure that the ship has the
required certificates, and that they are valid.
Some certificates, such as the IOPP attachments
will tell the PSC Officer what equipment is on
board, and what related procedures are required.
The inspector will focus on such equipment and
procedures during his inspections.
SMS procedures may also be checked.
Have all documents ready before the PSC Officer
arrives!
MAKE SURE THAT
PROCEDURES ARE
BEING FOLLOWED!
In the Master’s Office 8
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The information on the supplement to the IOPP
certificate relates to;
• SOPEP,
• the Safety Management System, and
• machinery spaces.
If there are differences between the information
on these documents and what is found on board
you should inform the PSC Officer and not wait for
him to find out himself!
Prepare documentation to show that procedures are
being followed. Unofficial logs and records, such as
sounding books, are treated as official documents.
• records of drills and exercises
• Oil Record Book (ORB), including
• waste delivery receipts
REMEMBER -
CONSISTENCY COUNTS!
Evidence of Compliance 9
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Bridge inspections usually focus on:
• Operational equipment
• Nautical publications, charts and posted
information
• English speaking operator of the
radio equipment
• Officers familiar with the equipment and
publications, procedures and requirements
in respect of log and record keeping
Equipment can break down or need servicing. Tell
the PSC Officer !
Ensure that the logs do not contain incorrect
entries.
IT IS A CRIME TO PRESENT A
FALSIFIED LOG IN THE USA!
On the Bridge 10
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In 2005, 25% of deficiencies involved problems with
Fire Fighting equipment and Life Saving Appliances.
Other problems related to security arrangements –
improper access controls was a frequent issue.
What is the PSC Officer looking for?
The presence of required equipment
The condition of the required equipment
The knowledge of the crew in respect of the
maintenance and operation of safety equipment
and their own duties.
Evidence that effective safety management systems
and security procedures are in place on board.
Checklists can be found in the ship’s Safety
Management System – USE THEM, and remember
that it is a crime to present a falsified checklist
to an official.
IT IS THE CHECKS – NOT
THE TICKS THAT COUNT
On Deck 11
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The accommodation, including the galley, may not
be important from a safety and environmental
protection point of view, but the appearance of
the accommodation and galley is important, as it is
often considered representative for the condition
of the ship and the quality of the management on
board.
Make sure that fire doors are not forced open by
unauthorized means – not even temporarily.
HOUSEKEEPING COUNTS!
MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION!
Accommodation 12
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The inspection of machinery spaces concentrates
on identifying fire, personal injury, electrical and
environmental hazards.
The PSC Officer will focus on the awareness of and
compliance with the SMS procedures, and the
familiarity of the crew with the operation of
equipment such as Oily Water Separator (OWS),
emergency fire pump and emergency steering.
Emergency exits must be unobstructed and well
marked and lit – and they must not be locked, e.g.
for security purposes, if that prevents their use.
ENSURE THE ENGINE ROOM
IS A SAFE AREA
Machinery spaces 13
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Inspections are focused on identifying the intentional
discharges of oil, and on checking if the
crew try to hide violations.
When inspecting ships for environmental compliance
the PSC Officer often looks for:
Genuine entries in the logs and Oil Record Book.
Entries in the ORB in line with statements from the
crew regarding actual procedures followed
Records of operations, maintenance works and
malfunctions of the pollution prevention equipment
The crew are familiar with their duties in respect of
operation of pollution prevention equipment
under the SMS
Signs of tampering with the piping or the electrical
controls on the OWS
YOU MUST
PROVE THAT
YOU COMPLY!
PSC Focus on
Environmental
compliance 14
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PSC Officer may ask for an operational test of the
Oily Water Separator.
The tests will seek to confirm the performance of
both the OWS and the engineers operating the OWS.
All engineers assigned with operation of the OWS
should be prepared to conduct such tests.
Close inspection of Oil Content Monitors should be
expected. NEVER tamper with this equipment as the
PSC Officer will be looking for signs of tampering.
Equipment performance may also be tested.
Tank levels may be checked to confirm that they
are in accordance with ORB entries.
PSC Officers may also check incinerators and the
standard discharge connection to verify regular use.
Any connections, hoses and fittings that can be
used to discharge directly overboard will give rise
to suspicion.
PROVE THAT YOU
USE THE EQUIPMENT –
THE RIGHT WAY!
Environmental
equipment tests 15
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Ensure that all are familiar with their environmental
SMS duties.
Make sure repairs, adjustments and maintenance
can not be read as “tampering” - and record it in
the ORB immediately.
If dismantling of equipment is required to carry
out tests, then label it accordingly. That will reduce
the risk of being suspected of tampering.
If ship’s equipment such as a hose is used for discharge
to reception facilities then record it – do not hide it.
Keep the spare parts inventory up to date. Do not
cause unnecessary suspicion by being unable to
locate the spare parts.
COOPERATE WITH
THE PSC OFFICER –
DO NOT HIDE FACTS
Preparing for inspections: 16
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If the PSC Officer finds a problem on your ship, you
should expect that he will take a closer look at
everything.
As a result, he may decide to:
Order that repairs are made to correct the problem
(sometimes before the ship will be allowed to sail).
If the crew can repair or correct the problem quickly,
then the risk of delays and possible fines may be
reduced.
For severe problems, if the PSC Officer thinks that US
laws have been broken, a criminal investigation could
be started. A criminal investigation could aim at both
the Company and the crew on board.
LYING TO INVESTIGATORS IN
A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
RESULTS WITH PUNISHMENT FAR
WORSE THAN THE PUNISHMENT
FOR VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY
AND SECURITY REGULATIONS
When things go wrong… 17
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Important things to remember:
ALWAYS!!!
• Tell the truth
• Tell others to tell the truth
• Make sure all log entries are
complete and accurate
• Know your safety, security
and environmental compliance
duties – and do them!
• Fix or report defects as soon as possible
• Share relevant information with
the authorities
More information is available on:
www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/psc/psc.htm
AVOID PROBLEMS – RUN A
SAFE AND SECURE SHIP AND
BE HONEST WITH PORT STATE
CONTROL OFFICERS
Conclusions 18
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BIMCO, established in 1905, is the world's
largest international shipping association
with approximately 2,400 members situated
in 123 countries. The owner-members of
BIMCO control a fleet of about 550 million
deadweight tonnes, thereby representing
65% of the world's merchant fleet.
BIMCO seeks to protect the fair treatment
and welfare of seafarers at all times.
“Use of this guide will raise awareness
amongst seafarers regarding compliance
with Port State Control measures implemented
on board ships.”
C. E. Bone
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard
BIMCO
Bagsvaerdvej 161
2880 Bagsvaerd
Denmark
www.bimco.org
BIMCO – Reflecting
your interests 19
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The US PSC
Checks include:
• Certificates
• Emergency Generator and Lighting
• Main and Emergency Fire Pump
• Fixed Deck Foam FF System
• Fire Detection System
• Fire and Boat Drills
• Steering Gear
• Oily Water Separator and Bilge Monitor
• Safety Management System
• Navigation Safety Checks
• Conduct a Deck Walk - Structure
and Watertight Integrity
• ILO – Crew living Conditions
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