IntroductionBefore determining whether deficiencies found during an
inspection warrant detention of the ship involved, the inspector must apply the
criteria mentioned below in sections 1 and 2.
Section 3
includes examples of deficiencies that may for themselves warrant detention of the
ship involved (see Article 9 (3)).
Where the ground for detention is the result of accidental damage suffered on the
ship's voyage to a port, no detention order shall be issued, provided that: - due account has been given to the
requirements contained in Regulation I/11(c) of SOLAS 74 regarding
notification to the flag State administration, the nominated surveyor or the
recognised organisation responsible for issuing the relevant certificate;
- prior to entering a port, the
master or shipowner has submitted to the port State control authority details
on the circumstances of the accident and the damage suffered and information
about the required notification of the flag State administration;
- appropriate remedial action, to
the satisfaction of the Authority, is being taken by the ship; and
- the authority has ensured, having
been notified of the completion of the remedial action, that deficiencies
which were clearly hazardous to safety, health or the environment have been
rectified.
1. Main
criteriaWhen exercising his professional judgement as to whether or
not a ship should be detained the inspector must apply the following criteria:
Timing:
Ships which are unsafe to
proceed to sea must be detained upon the first inspection irrespective of how much
time the ship will stay in port.
Criterion:
The ship is detained if its deficiencies are sufficiently
serious to merit an inspector returning to satisfy himself that they have been
rectified before the ship sails.
The need for the inspector to
return to the ship is a measure of the seriousness of the deficiencies. However, it
does not impose such an obligation for every case. It implies that the authority
must verify one way or another, preferably by a further visit, that the deficiencies
have been rectified before departure.
2. Application
of main criteriaWhen deciding whether the deficiencies found in a ship are
sufficiently serious to merit detention the inspector must assess whether:
1. the ship has relevant, valid
documentation;
2. the ship has the crew
required in the Minimum Safe Manning Document.
During
inspection the inspector must further assess whether the ship and/or crew is able
to:
3. navigate safely throughout the
forthcoming voyage;
4. safely handle, carry
and monitor the condition of the cargo throughout the forthcoming voyage;
5. operate the engine room safely
throughout the forthcoming voyage;
6.
maintain proper propulsion and steering throughout the forthcoming voyage;
7. fight fires effectively in any part of
the ship if necessary during the forthcoming voyage;
8. abandon ship speedily and safely and
effect rescue if necessary during the forthcoming voyage;
9. prevent pollution of the environment
throughout the forthcoming voyage;
10.
maintain adequate stability throughout the forthcoming voyage;
11. maintain adequate watertight
integrity throughout the forthcoming voyage;
12. communicate in distress situations if
necessary during the forthcoming voyage;
13. provide safe and healthy conditions
on board throughout the forthcoming voyage.
If the answer to
any of these assessments is negative, taking into account all deficiencies found,
the ship must be strongly considered for detention. A combination of deficiencies of
a less serious nature may also warrant the detention of the ship.
3. To assist the inspector in the use of
these guidelines, there follows a list of deficiencies, grouped under relevant
conventions and/or codes, which are considered of such a serious nature that they
may warrant the detention of the ship involved. This list is not intended to be
exhaustive.
However, the detainable
deficiencies in the area of STCW 78 listed under item 3.8 below are the only
grounds for detention under this Convention.
3.1. GeneralThe lack of valid certificates as required by the relevant
instruments. However, ships flying the flag of States not party to a Convention
(relevant instrument) or not having implemented another relevant instrument, are not
entitled to carry the certificates provided for by the Convention or other relevant
instrument. Therefore, absence of the required certificates should not by itself
constitute reason to detain these ships; however, in applying the 'no more
favourable treatment' clause, substantial compliance with the provisions is required
before the ship sails.
3.2. Areas under the Solas
Convention (References are given in brackets)1. Failure of the proper operation of
propulsion and other essential machinery, as well as electrical installations.
2. Insufficient cleanliness of engine
room, excess amount of oily-water mixtures in bilges, insulation of piping including
exhaust pipes in engine room contaminated by oil, improper operation of bilge
pumping arrangements.
3. Failure of the
proper operation of emergency generator, lighting, batteries and switches.
4. Failure of the proper operation of the
main and auxiliary steering gear.
5.
Absence, insufficient capacity or serious deterioration of personal life-saving
appliances, survival craft and launching arrangements.
6. Absence, non-compliance or substantial
deterioration of fire detection system, fire alarms, firefighting equipment, fixed
fire-extinguishing installation, ventilation valves, fire dampers, quick-closing
devices to the extent that they cannot comply with their intended use.
7. Absence, substantial deterioration or
failure of proper operation of the cargo deck area fire protection on tankers.
8. Absence, non-compliance or serious
deterioration of lights, shapes or sound signals.
9. Absence or failure of the proper
operation of the radio equipment for distress and safety communication.
10. Absence or failure of the proper
operation of navigation equipment, taking the provisions of Solas Regulation V/12(o)
into account.
11. Absence of corrected
navigational charts, and/or all other relevant nautical publications necessary for
the intended voyage, taking into account that electronic charts may be used as a
substitute for the charts.
12. Absence of
non-sparking exhaust ventilation for cargo pump rooms (Solas Regulation
II-2/59.3.1).
13. Serious deficiency in the operational requirements, as
described in Section 5.5 of Annex I to the MOU.
14. Number, composition or
certification of crew not corresponding with the safe manning
document.
3.3. Areas under the IBC
Code (References are given in brackets)1. Transport of a substance not mentioned
in the Certificate of Fitness or missing cargo information (16.2).
2. Missing or damaged high-pressure
safety devices (8.2.3).
3. Electrical
installations not intrinsically safe or not corresponding to code requirements
(10.2.3).
4. Sources of ignition in
hazardous locations referred to in 10.2 (11.3.15).
5. Contraventions of special requirements
(15).
6. Exceeding of maximum allowable
cargo quality per tank (16.1).
7.
Insufficient heat protection for sensitive products (16.6).
3.4. Areas under the IGC Code (References are given
in brackets)1. Transport of a substance not mentioned
in the Certificate of Fitness or missing cargo information (18.1).
2. Missing closing devices for
accommodations or service spaces (3.2.6).
3. Bulkhead not gastight (3.3.2).
4. Defective air locks (3.6).
5. Missing or defective quick-closing
valves (5.6).
6. Missing or defective
safety valves (8.2).
7. Electrical
installations not intrinsically safe or not corresponding to code requirements
(10.2.4).
8. Ventilators in cargo area not
operable (12.1).
9. Pressure alarms for
cargo tanks not operable (13.4.1).
10. Gas
detection plant and/or toxic gas detection plant defective (13.6).
11. Transport of substances to be
inhibited without valid inhibitor certificate (17/19).
3.5. Areas under the Load Lines
Convention1. Significant areas of damage or
corrosion, or pitting of plating and associated stiffening in decks and hull
affecting seaworthiness or strength to take local loads, unless proper temporary
repairs for a voyage to a port for permanent repairs have been carried out.
2. A recognized case of insufficient
stability.
3. The absence of sufficient and
reliable information, in an approved form, which by rapid and simple means, enables
the master to arrange for the loading and ballasting of his ship in such a way that
a safe margin of stability is maintained at all stages and at varying conditions of
the voyage, and that the creation of any unacceptable stresses in the ship's
structure are avoided.
4. Absence,
substantial deterioration or defective closing devices, hatch closing arrangements
and watertight doors.
5. Overloading.
6. Absence of draft mark or draft mark
impossible to read.
3.6. Areas under the Marpol
Convention, Annex I (References are given in brackets)1. Absence, serious deterioration or
failure of proper operation of the oily-water filtering equipment, the oil discharge
monitoring and control system or the 15 ppm alarm arrangements.
2. Remaining capacity of slop and/or
sludge tank insufficient for the intended voyage.
3. Oil Record Book not available (20
(5)).
4. Unauthorized discharge bypass
fitted.
3.7. Areas under the Marpol Convention, Annex
II (References are given in brackets)1. Absence of the P& A Manual.
2. Cargo is not categorized (3 (4)).
3. No cargo record book available (9
(6)).
4. Transport of oil-like substances
without satisfying the requirements or without an appropriately amended certificate
(14).
5. Unauthorized discharge bypass
fitted.
3.8. Areas under
the STCW Convention1. Failure of seafarers to hold a
certificate, to have an appropriate certificate, to have a valid dispensation or
to provide documentary proof that an application for an endorsement has been
submitted to the flag State administration.
2. Failure to comply with the
applicable safe manning requirements of the flag state administration.
3. Failure of navigational or
engineering watch arrangements to conform to the requirements specified for the
ship by the flag State administration. 4.
Absence in a watch of a person qualified to operate equipment essential to safe
navigation, safety radio communications or the prevention of marine pollution.
5. Failure to provide proof of
professional proficiency for the duties assigned to seafarers for the safety of
the ship and the prevention of pollution.
6. Inability to provide for the first
watch at the commencement of a voyage and for subsequent relieving watches persons
who are sufficiently rested and otherwise fit for duty
3.9. Areas under the ILO
Conventions1. Insufficient food for voyage to next
port.
2. Insufficient potable water for
voyage to next port.
3. Excessively
unsanitary conditions on board.
4. No
heating in accommodation of a ship operating in areas where temperatures may be
excessively low.
5. Excessive garbage,
blockage by equipment or cargo or otherwise unsafe conditions in
passageways/accommodations.
3.10. Areas which may not
warrant a detention, but where e.g. cargo operations have to be
suspended.Failure of the proper operation (or maintenance) of inert gas
system, cargo-related gear or machinery are considered sufficient grounds for
stopping cargo operation.