1 Article 11(4) of AFS 2001 allows Parties to inspect ships on request of another Party, if a
request for an investigation is received and sufficient evidence that the ship is operating or has
operated in violation of the Convention is provided. Article 12(2) permits port States conducting
inspection to furnish the Administration of the ship concerned such information and evidence as
may be in its possession that a violation has occurred. Experience has shown that information
furnished to the flag State is often inadequate to enable the flag State to cause proceedings to be
brought in respect of the alleged violation of the AFS 2001 requirements. This part is intended to
identify information which is often needed by a flag State for the prosecution of such possible
violations.
2 It is recommended that in preparing a port State report on deficiencies, where
contravention to AFS 2001 requirements is involved, the authorities of the coastal or port State
be guided by the itemized list of possible evidence as shown in part 2. It should be borne in mind
in this connection that:
.1 the report aims to provide the optimal collation of obtainable data; however, even
if all the information cannot be provided, as much information as possible should
be submitted; and
.2 it is important for all the information included in the report to be supported by
facts which, when considered as a whole, would lead the port or coastal State to
believe a contravention had occurred.
3 In addition to the port State report on deficiencies, a report should be completed by a port
or coastal State, on the basis of the itemized list of possible evidence. It is important that these
reports are supplemented by documents such as:
.1 a statement by the PSCO of the suspected non-conforming anti-fouling system. In
addition to the information required in part 2, the statement should include
considerations which lead the PSCO to carry out a more detailed inspection;
.2 statements concerning any sampling procedures of the anti-fouling system. These
should include: location of the vessel at the time it was sampled as well as an
indication of where the sample was taken from the hull, including the vertical
distance from the boot topping, the time of sampling, identity of person(s) taking
the samples, and receipts identifying the persons having custody and receiving
transfer of the samples;
.3 reports of analyses of any samples taken of the anti-fouling system; the reports
should include the results of the analyses, a description of the method employed,
reference to or copies of scientific documentation attesting to the accuracy and
validity of the method employed, the names of persons performing the analyses
and their experience and a description of the quality assurance measures of the
analyses;
.4 a statement by the PSCO on board together with the PSCO’s rank and
organization;
.5 statements by persons being questioned;
.6 statements by witnesses;
.7 photographs of the hull and sample areas; and
.8 copy of the IAFS Certificate, including copies of relevant pages of the Record of
Anti-fouling Systems, log books, MSDS or similar, declaration of compliance
from the anti-fouling system manufacturer, invoices from the shipyard and other
dry dock records pertaining to the anti-fouling system, etc.
4 All observations, photographs and documentation should be supported by a signed
verification of their authenticity. All certifications, authentications or verifications should be
executed in accordance with the laws of the State which prepares them. All statements should be
signed and dated by the person making the statement. The names of the persons signing
statements should be printed in legible script above or below the signature.
5 The reports referred to under paragraphs 2 and 3 of this part should be sent to the flag
State. If the coastal State observing the contravention and the port State carrying out the
investigation on board are not the same, the State carrying out the latter investigation should also
send a copy of its findings to the State which initiated the investigation.