The Merchant Shipping Directorate would like to draw the attention of all concerned to a port State control Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) that will be launched in conjunction with the Paris MoU and the Tokyo MoU on Emergency Systems and Procedures. The campaign will be launched on 1st September 2019 and end on 30th November 2019.
The joint CIC aims to ensure that ships are able to respond appropriately and promptly to emergency situations to ascertain the safety of human lives, protecting the marine environment and minimise collateral damage to ships. It also aims to increase awareness in relation to the importance of such emergency systems to all responsible stakeholders.
Port State Control Officers will make use of a questionnaire consisting of 11 questions to check if the equipment provided onboard is compliant with the relevant convention. It also aims to test if the master and officers are qualified and familiar with the operations in relation to shipboard emergency systems and that the equipment is properly maintained and functioning.
It is the responsibility of all concerned to ensure that the Master and crew are well familiarised with systems such as emergency power sources, steering gears, fire pumps, etc. and that such equipment is in place at all times.
If deficiencies are identified by Port State Control Officers, actions may vary depending on the severity. On one hand the deficiency may be simply recorded, whilst in other cases the ship may be detained until the matter is resolved.
