Ingangsdatum: 23-11-1995
3.5.1 When, during a port State control inspection, the PSCO has clear grounds according to 2.3, the following on-board operational procedures may be checked in accordance with this resolution. However, in exercising controls recommended in these guidelines, the PSCO should not include any operational tests or impose physical demands which, in the judgement of the master, could
jeopardize the safety of the ship, crew, passengers, control officers or cargo.
3.5.2 When carrying out operational control, the PSCO should ensure, as far as possible, no interference with normal shipboard operations, such as loading and unloading of cargo and ballasting, which is carried out under the responsibility of the master, nor should the PSCO require demonstration of operational aspects which would unnecessarily delay the ship.
3.5.3 Having assessed the extent to which operational requirements are complied with, the PSCO then has to exercise professional judgement to determine whether the operational proficiency of thecrew as a whole is of a sufficient level to allow the ship to sail without danger to the ship or
persons on board, or presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.
Muster list
3.5.4 The PSCO may determine if the crew members are aware of their duties indicated in the muster list.
3.5.5 The PSCO may ensure that muster lists are exhibited in conspicuous places throughout the ship, including the navigational bridge, the engine room and the crew accommodation spaces.
When determining if the muster list is in accordance with the regulations, the PSCO may verify
whether:
- .1 the muster list shows the duties assigned to the different members of the crew;
- .2 the muster list specifies which officers are assigned to ensure that life-saving and fire
appliances are maintained in good condition and are ready for immediate use;
- .3 the muster list specifies the substitutes for key persons who may become disabled, taking into account that different emergencies may call for different actions;
- .4 the muster list shows the duties assigned to crew members in relation to passengers in
case of emergency;
- .5 the format of the muster list used on passenger ships is approved.
3.5.6 To determine whether the muster list is up to date, the PSCO may require an up-to-date crew list, if available, to verify this. Other possible means, e.g. Safe Manning Document, may be
used for this purpose.
3.5.7 The PSCO may determine whether the duties assigned to crew members manning the survival craft (lifeboats or liferafts) are in accordance with the regulations and verify that a deck
officer or certificated person is placed in charge of each survival craft to be used. However, the
Administration (of the flag State), having due regard to the nature of the voyage, the number of persons on board and the characteristics of the ship, may permit persons practised in the handling and operation of liferafts to be placed in charge of liferafts in lieu of persons qualified as above. A second-in-command shall also be nominated in the case of lifeboats.
3.5.8 The PSCO may determine whether the crew members are familiar with the duties assigned to them in the muster list and are aware of the locations where they should perform their duties.
Communication
3.5.9 The PSCO may determine if the key crew members are able to communicate with each other, and with passengers as appropriate, in such a way that the safe operation of the ship is not
impaired, especially in emergency situations.
3.5.10 The PSCO may ask the master which languages are used as the working languages.
3.5.11 The PSCO may ensure that the key crew members are able to understand each other during the inspection or drills. The crew members assigned to assist passengers should be able to give the necessary information to the passengers in case of an emergency.
Fire and abandon ship drills
3.5.12 The PSCO witnessing a fire and abandon ship drill should ensure that the crew members are familiar with their duties and the proper use of the ship's installations and equipment.
Fire drills
3.5.14 At the location the PSCO can describe the fire indication to the crew member and observe how the report of fire is relayed to the bridge or damage control centre. At this point most ships will sound the crew alarm to summon the fire-fighting parties to their stations. The PSCO should
observe the fire-fighting party arriving on the scene, breaking out their equipment and fighting the
simulated fire. Team leaders should be giving orders as appropriate to their crews and passing the word back to the bridge or damage control centre on the conditions. The fire-fighting crews should be observed for proper donning and the use of their equipment. The PSCO should make sure that all the gear is complete. Merely mustering the crew with their gear is not acceptable. Crew response to personnel injuries can be checked by selecting a crew member as a simulated casualty. The PSCO should observe how the word is passed and the response of stretcher and medical teams. Handling a stretcher properly through narrow passageways, doors and stairways is difficult and takes practice.
3.5.15 The drill should, as far as practicable, be conducted as if there were an actual emergency.
3.5.16 Those crew members assigned to other duties related to a fire drill, such as the manning of the emergency generators, the CO2 room, the sprinkler and emergency fire pumps, should also be involved in the drill. The PSCO may ask these crew members to explain their duties and if possible
to demonstrate their familiarity.
3.5.17 On passenger ships, special attention should be paid to the duties of those crew members assigned to the closing of manually operated doors and fire dampers. These closing devices should be operated by the responsible persons in the areas of the simulated fire(s) during the drill. Crew members not assigned to the fire-fighting teams are generally assigned to locations throughout the passenger accommodations to assist in passenger evacuation. These crew members should be asked to explain their duties and the meaning of the various emergency signals and asked to point out the two means of escape from the area, and where the passengers are to report. Crew members
assigned to assist passengers should be able to communicate at least enough information to direct a
passenger to the proper muster and embarkation stations.
Abandon ship drills
3.5.18 After consultation with the master, the PSCO may require an abandon ship drill for one or more survival crafts. The essence of this drill is that the survival craft are manned and operated by
the crew members assigned to them on the muster list. If possible the PSCO should include the rescue boat(s) in this drill. SOLAS 74,chapter III, gives specific requirements on abandon ship training and drills, of which the following principles are particularly relevant.
3.5.19 The drill should, as far as practicable, be conducted as if there were an actual emergency
3.5.20 The abandon ship drill should include:
- .1 summoning of (passengers and) crew to the muster station(s) with the required alarm
and ensuring that they are aware of the order to abandon ship as specified in the muster list;
- .2 reporting to the stations and preparing for the duties described in the muster list;
- .3 checking that (passengers and) crew are suitably dressed;
- .4 checking that lifejackets are correctly donned;
- .5 lowering of at least one lifeboat after the necessary preparation for launching;
- .6 starting and operating the lifeboat engine; and
- .7 operation of the davits used for launching liferafts.
3.5.21 If the lifeboat lowered during the drill is not the rescue boat, the rescue boat should be lowered as well, taking into account that it is boarded and launched in the shortest possible time.
The PSCO should ensure that crew members are familiar with the duties assigned to them during
abandon ship operations and that the crew member in charge of the survival craft has complete knowledge of the operation and equipment of the survival craft.
3.5.22 Each survival craft should be stowed in a state of continuous readiness so that two crew members can carry out preparations for embarking and launching in less than 5 minutes.
3.5.23 On passenger ships, it is required that lifeboats and davit-launched liferafts are capable of being launched within a period of 30 minutes.
3.5.24 On cargo ships, it is required that lifeboats and davit launched liferafts are capable of being launched within a period of 10 minutes.
Damage control plan and Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP)
3.5.25 The PSCO may determine if a damage control plan is provided on a passenger ship and whether the crew members are familiar with their duties and the proper use of the ship's installations and equipment for damage control purposes. The same applies with regard to SOPEP on all ships.
3.5.26 The PSCO may determine if the officers of the ship are aware of the contents of the damage control booklet which should be available to them, or of the damage control plan.
3.5.27 The officers may be asked to explain the action to be taken in various damage conditions.
3.5.28 The officers may also be asked to explain about the boundaries of the watertight compartments, the openings therein with the means of closure and position of any controls thereof and the arrangements for the correction of any list due to flooding.
3.5.29 The officers should have a sound knowledge of the effect of trim and stability of their ship in the event of damage to and consequent flooding of a compartment and counter-measures to be taken.
Fire control plan
3.5.30 The PSCO may determine if a fire control plan or booklet is provided and whether the crew members are familiar with the information given in the fire control plan or booklet.
3.5.31 The PSCO may verify that fire control plans are permanently exhibited for the guidance of the ship's officers. Alternatively, booklets containing the information of the fire control plan may
be supplied to each officer, and one copy should at all times be available on board in an accessible position. Plans and booklets should be kept up to date, any alterations being recorded thereon as soon as possible.
3.5.32 The PSCO may determine that the responsible officers, especially those who are assigned to related duties on the muster list, are aware of the information provided by the fire control plan or booklet and how to act in case of a fire.
3.5.33 The PSCO may ensure that the officers in charge of the ship are familiar with the principal structural members which form part of the various fire sections and the means of access to the
different compartments.
Bridge operation
3.5.34 The PSCO may determine if officers in charge of a navigational watch are familiar with bridge control and navigational equipment, changing the steering mode from automatic to manual
and vice versa, and the ship's manoeuvring characteristics.
3.5.35 The officer in charge of a navigational watch should have knowledge of the location and operation of all safety and navigational equipment. Moreover, this officer should be familiar with procedures which apply to the navigation of the ship in all circumstances and should be aware of
all information available.
3.5.36 The PSCO may also verify the familiarity of the officers on all the information available to them such as manoeuvring characteristics of the ship, life-saving signals, up-to-date nautical
publications, checklists concerning bridge procedures, instructions, manuals, etc.
3.5.37 The PSCO may verify the familiarity of the officers with procedures such as periodical tests and checks of equipment, preparations for arrival and departure, change over of steering modes, signalling, communications, manoeuvring, emergencies and log book entries.
Cargo operation
3.5.38 The PSCO may determine if ship's personnel assigned specific duties related to the cargo and cargo equipment are familiar with those duties, any dangers posed by the cargo and with the
measures to be taken in such a context.
3.5.39 With respect to the carriage of solid bulk cargoes, the PSCO should verify, as appropriate, that cargo loading is performed in accordance with a ship's loading plan and unloading in
accordance with a ship's unloading plan agreed by the ship and the terminal.
3.5.40 The PSCO, when appropriate, may determine whether the responsible crew members are familiar with the relevant provisions of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes(BC Code), particularly those concerning moisture limits and trimming of the cargo, the Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes and the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing.
3.5.41 Some solid materials transported in bulk can present a hazard during transport because of their chemical nature or physical properties. Section 2 of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes gives general precautions. Section 4 of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes
contains the obligation imposed on the shipper to provide all necessary information to ensure a safe
transport of the cargo. The PSCO may determine whether all relevant details, including all relevant
certificates of tests, have been provided to the master from the shipper.
3.5.42 For some cargoes, such as cargoes which are subject to liquefaction, special precautions are given (see section 7 of the Bulk Code). The PSCO may determine whether all precautions are met with special attention for the stability of those vessels engaged in the transport of cargoes subject to liquefaction and solid hazardous waste in bulk.
3.5.43 Officers responsible for cargo handling and operation and key crew members of oil tankers, chemical tankers and liquefied gas carriers should be familiar with the cargo and cargo equipment and with the safety measures as stipulated in the relevant sections of the IBC and IGC Codes.
3.5.44 For the carriage of grain in bulk, reference is made to part C, chapter VI of SOLAS 74 and the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (resolution MSC.23(59)).
3.5.45 The PSCO may determine whether the operations and loading manuals include all the relevant information for safe loading and unloading operations in port as well as in transit
conditions.
Operation of the machinery
3.5.46 The PSCO may determine if responsible ship's personnel are familiar with their duties related to operating essential machinery, such as:
- .1 emergency and stand-by sources of electrical power;
- .2 auxiliary steering gear;
- .3 bilge and fire pumps; and
- .4 any other equipment essential in emergency situations.
3.5.47 The PSCO may verify whether the responsible ship's personnel are familiar with, inter alia:
- .1 Emergency generator:
- .1.1 actions which are necessary before the engine can be started;
- .1.2 different possibilities to start the engine in combination with the source of starting energy; and
- .1.3 procedures when the first attempts to start the engine fail.
- .2 Stand-by generator engine:
- .2.1 possibilities to start the stand-by engine, automatic or by hand;
- .2.2 blackout procedures; and
- .2.3 load-sharing system.
3.5.48 The PSCO may verify whether the responsible ship's personnel are familiar with, inter alia:
- .1 which type of auxiliary steering gear system applies to the ship;
- .2 how it is indicated which steering gear unit is in operation; and
- .3 what action is needed to bring the auxiliary steering gear into operation.
3.5.49 The PSCO may verify whether the responsible ship's personnel are familiar with, inter alia:
- .1 Bilge pump:
- .1.1 Number and location of bilge pumps installed on board the ship (including emergency bilge pumps);
- .1.2 starting procedures for all these bilge pumps;
- .1.3 appropriate valves to operate; and
- .1.4 most likely causes of failure of bilge pump operation and their possible remedies.
- .2 Fire pumps:
- .2.1 number and location of fire pumps installed on board the ship (including the
emergency fire pump);
- .2.2 starting procedures for all these pumps; and
- .2.3 appropriate valves to operate.
3.5.50 The PSCO may verify whether the responsible ship's personnel are familiar with, inter alia:
- .1 starting and maintenance of lifeboat engine and/or rescue boat engine;
- .2 local control procedures for those systems which are normally controlled from the
navigating bridge;
- .3 use of the emergency and fully independent sources of electrical power of radio
installations;
- .4 maintenance procedures for batteries;
- .5 emergency stops, fire detection system and alarm system operation of watertight and
fire doors (stored energy systems); and
- .6 change of control from automatic to manual for cooling water and lube oil systems for
main and auxiliary engines.
Manuals, instructions, etc.
3.5.51 The PSCO may determine if the appropriate crew members are able to understand the information given in manuals, instructions, etc., relevant to the safe condition and operation of the ship and its equipment and that they are aware of the requirements for maintenance, periodical testing, training, drills and recording of log book entries.
3.5.52 The following information should, inter alia, be provided on board and PSCOs may determine whether it is in a language or languages understood by the crew and whether crew
members concerned are aware of the contents and are able to respond accordingly:
- .1 Instructions concerning the maintenance and operation of all the equipment and
installations on board for the fighting and containment of fire should be kept under one cover, readily available in an accessible position;
- .2 clear instructions to be followed in the event of an emergency should be provided for
every person on board;
- .3 illustrations and instructions in appropriate languages should be posted in passenger
cabins and be conspicuously displayed at muster stations and other passenger spaces to inform passengers of their muster station, the essential action they must take in an emergency and the method of donning lifejackets;
- .4 posters and signs should be provided on or in the vicinity of survival craft and their
launching controls and shall illustrate the purpose of controls and the procedures for operating the appliance and give relevant instructions or warnings;
- .5 instructions for on-board maintenance of life-saving appliances;
- .6 training manuals should be provided in each crew mess room and recreation room or
in each crew cabin. The training manual, which may comprise several volumes, should contain instructions and information, in easily understood terms illustrated
wherever possible, on the life-saving appliances provided in the ship and on the best method of survival;
- .7 Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan in accordance with MARPOL 73/78, Annex
I, regulation 26; and
- .8 stability booklet, as associated stability plans and stability information.
Oil and oily mixtures from machinery spaces
3.5.53 The PSCO may determine if all operational requirements of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78 have been met, taking into account:
- .1 the quantity of oil residues generated;
- .2 the capacity of sludge and bilge water holding tank; and
- .3 the capacity of the oily water separator.
3.5.54 An inspection of the Oil Record Book should be made. The PSCO may determine if reception facilities have been used and note any alleged inadequacy of such facilities.
3.5.55 The PSCO may determine whether the responsible officer is familiar with the handling of sludge and bilge water. The relevant items from the guidelines for systems for handling oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships may be used as guidance. Taking into account the above, the PSCO
may determine if the ullage of the sludge tank is sufficient for the expected generated sludge during
the next intended voyage. The PSCO may verify that, in respect of ships for which the Administration has waived the requirements of regulation 16(1) and (2) to Annex I of MARPOL 73/78, all oily bilge water is retained on board for subsequent discharge to a reception facility.
3.5.56 When reception facilities in other ports have not been used because of inadequacy, the PSCO should advise the master to report the inadequacy of the reception facility to the ship's flag State, in conformity with MEPC/Circ.215 of 25 April 1989. Loading, unloading and cleaning procedures for cargo spaces of tankers.
3.5.57 The PSCO may determine if all operational requirements of Annexes I or II of MARPOL 73/78 have been met taking into account the type of tanker and the type of cargo carried, including the inspection of the Oil Record Book and/or Cargo Record Book. The PSCO may determine if the
reception facilities have been used and note any alleged inadequacy of such facilities.
3.5.58 For the control on loading, unloading and cleaning procedures for tankers carrying oil, reference is made to 3.4.14 to 3.4.17 above where guidance is given for the inspection of crude oil washing (COW) operations. In appendix 2, the PSCO may find detailed guidelines for in-port
inspection of crude oil washing procedures.
3.5.59 For the control on loading, unloading and cleaning procedures for tankers carrying noxious liquid substances, reference is made to 3.4.18 to 3.4.26 above where guidance is given for the inspection of unloading, stripping and prewash operations. In appendix 3 more detailed guidelines
for these inspections are given.
3.5.60 When reception facilities in other ports have not been used because of inadequacy, the PSCO should advise the master to report the inadequacy of the reception facility to the ship's flag State, in conformity with MEPC/Circ.215 of 25 April 1989.
3.5.61 When a vessel is permitted to proceed to the next port with residues of noxious liquid substances on board in excess of those permitted to be discharged into the sea during the ship's passage, it should be ascertained that the residues can be received by that port. At the same time that port should be informed if practicable.
Dangerous goods and harmful substances in packaged form
3.5.62 The PSCO may determine if the required shipping documents for the carriage of dangerous goods and harmful substances carried in packaged form are provided on board and whether the
dangerous goods and harmful substances are properly stowed and segregated and the crew
members are familiar with the essential action to be taken in an emergency involving such packaged cargo.
3.5.63 Ship types and cargo spaces of ships built after 1 September 1984 intended for the carriage of dangerous goods should comply with the requirements of SOLAS regulation II-2/54, in addition to the requirements of regulation II-2/53 (for cargo ships) and the requirements of regulations
II-2/3 and II-2/39 (for passenger ships), unless such requirements have already been met by compliance with requirements elsewhere in the Convention. The only exemption permissible is when dangerous goods in limited quantities are carried.
3.5.64 Annex III of MARPOL 73/78 contains requirements for the carriage of harmful substances in packaged form which are identified in the IMDG Code as marine pollutants. Cargoes which are determined to be marine pollutants should be labelled and stowed in accordance with Annex III of MARPOL 73/78.
3.5.65 The PSCO may determine whether a Document of Compliance is on board and whether the ship's personnel are familiar with this document provided by the Administration as evidence of compliance of construction and equipment with the requirements. Additional control may consist
of:
- .1 whether the dangerous goods have been stowed on board in conformity with the
Document of Compliance, using the dangerous goods manifest or the stowage plan, required by SOLAS chapter VII. This manifest or stowage plan may be combined with the one required under Annex III of MARPOL 73/78;
- .2 whether inadvertent pumping of leaking flammable or toxic liquids is not possible in
case these substances are carried in under-deck cargo spaces; or
- .3 determining whether the ship's personnel are familiar with the relevant provisions of the Medical First Aid Guide and Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods.
Garbage
3.5.66 The PSCO may determine if all operational requirements of Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 have been met. The PSCO may determine if the reception facilities have been used and note any
alleged inadequacy of such facilities.
3.5.67 "Guidelines for the implementation of Annex V of MARPOL 73/78" were approved at the MEPC at its twenty-ninth session and have been published. One of the objectives of these guidelines is: "to assist vessel operators complying with the requirements set forth in Annex V and domestic laws".
3.5.68 The PSCO may determine whether:
- .1 ship's personnel are aware of these Guidelines, in particular section 3 "Minimizing the amount of potential garbage" and section 4 "Shipboard garbage handling and storage procedures"; and
- .2 ship's personnel are familiar with the disposal and discharge requirements under Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 inside and outside a special area and are aware of the areas determined as special areas under Annex V of MARPOL 73/78.
3.5.69 When reception facilities in other ports have not been used because of inadequacy, the PSCO should advise the master to report the inadequacy of the reception facility to the ship's flag State, in conformity with MEPC/Circ.215 of 25 April 1989.