Port State Control

The first pocket checklist in the series is designed as an aide-mémoire to supplement owners' operational and maintenance procedures, and should be used in conjunction with other guides in this series. Conveniently organised by distinct ship area, the checklist identifies the top fifty most common causes of ship detention. The pocket checklist is particularly useful when incorporated into pre-arrival checks, to ensure consideration has been given to all areas a PSC inspector will be concerned with.

The Marine pollution prevention pocket checklist can help masters and owners comply with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as amended by MARPOL 73/78. With a detailed list of areas that must be up to standard and covering areas where operational deficiencies are frequently found, it should help to reduce the risk of port state control (PSC) detentions.

The third pocket checklist in the series aims to help owners, operators, and crew comply with international convention requirements, thereby reducing the risk of Port State Control detention. With an alarming number of deaths and injury due to accidents involving lifeboats, this pocket checklist highlights the vital importance of life-saving appliances working properly, and lifeboat drills being conducted safely. All lifeboat equipment should be ready for operation, well maintained and inspected regularly. This checklist will act as a practical, on the spot device to make sure that life-saving appliances are fully up to scratch and comply with all regulations.

The fourth pocket checklist, released in May 2009 aims to reduce the risk of fire and explosion at sea, which in turn will help save lives and reduce the damage to cargo. Fire is one of the most expensive sources of cargo liability claims across the shipping industry. Only hatch cover problems and bad stowage have been comparable. Dry and bagged bulk were the cargoes most often hit by fire while crude oil, containers, dry bulk and cars produced the highest claims.

Port State Control detentions due to ISM failures are becoming more common as the authorities are grouping deficiencies together to justify detaining the ship. The objectives of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code are to ensure safety at sea, prevention of human injury or loss of life, and avoidance of damage to the environment and property. The objectives of the ISPS Code are to ensure security of ships and port facilities. The company is responsible for implementing effective safety and security management systems to ensure these objectives are met. By doing this, the risk to the fleet can be minimised and avoid costly fines and Port State Control detentions. Effective implementation of ISM and ISPS will protect the fleet’s reputation and help to get most out of the company’s resources.