What is port state control ? Port State Control (PSC) is a method of checking the successful enforcement of the provisions of various international conventions covering safety, working conditions and pollution prevention on merchant ships. Under international law the shipowner has prime responsibility for ensuring compliance, with much of the work involved being carried out by the state whose flag the ship flies.

Port State Control is the process by which a nation exercises authority over foreign ships when those ships are in waters subject to its jurisdiction. The right to do this is derived from both domestic and international law.

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List of possible deficiencies that could result in ship detention

The following is a list of possible deficiencies that could result in possible detentions. The list only includes some examples and is by no means exhaustive.

Under SOLAS

1. Failure of the main propulsion, electrical and other essential auxiliary machinery.



2. Failure or inadequate operation of main and auxiliary steering gear.



3. Poor cleanliness of engine room, excessive amounts of oily water in bilges, inadequate bilge pumping arrangements.



4. Oil contamination of pipe work insulation.



5. Absence, non-compliance or poor condition of life saving equipment, survival craft and launching arrangements.



6. Insufficient or poor condition of fire detection equipment, fire alarms and fire fighting equipment, ventilation, fire dampers and quick closing devices.



7. Absence of or inadequate navigation systems and equipment.



8. Uncorrected charts and out of date or missing nautical publications.



9. Failure of radio communication systems.



10. Crew numbers or certification not corresponding to minimum safe manning certificate.



11. Serious shortcomings in crews operational competence.

Under MARPOL

1. Absence of or inadequate operation of oily-water filtering equipment, the oil discharge monitoring and control systems. Unauthorized discharge bypass fitted



2. Insufficient slop tank capacity for the intended voyage.



3. Oil record book missing or SOPEP not available or not approved.



4. No cargo record book available.



5. Transport of oil-like substances without satisfying the requirements.

Under STCW

1. Failure of crew to hold appropriate certificates or proof of endorsements.



2. Inadequate navigational or engineering watch arrangements.



3. Absence in a watch of a person qualified to operate equipment essential to safe navigation or the prevention of pollution.



4. Failure to comply with the minimum safe manning requirements.



5. Competence of crew not sufficient to ensure safety of the ship or prevention of pollution.



6. Inability to provide suitably rested people for watch duties.

Under Load Line Convention

1. Significant damage or corrosion in deck and hull affecting the vessels seaworthiness.



2. Insufficient stability or inability to calculate stability conditions.



3. Absence or poor condition of hatches and watertight doors.



4. Overloading.



5. Absence of or inability to read draught marks.

Under ILO Convention 147

1. Insufficient food or potable water for the intended voyage.



2. Unsanitary conditions on board.



3. No heating in accommodation if ship is operating in low temperature areas.



4. Excessive garbage, blocked passageways.

Under ISM

1. Procedures not being followed



2. Poor or inadequate emergency response plans.



3. Missing SMC / DOC



4. Inadequate communication.

Under COLREGS

1. Insufficient number of shapes.



2. Wrong type of shapes.



3. Defective navigation lights



4. Missing Aldis lamp



5. Defective sound signals.

Under ISPS Code

1. No ISSC Certificate on board



2. Reason to believe that the Ship Security Plan is not being implemented properly such as general security measures not being taken (e.g. gangway watch, security patrols etc).



3. Insufficient security records (e.g. last ten ports). NB. Reference must be made to the SSP

• USCG Inspection - Port State Control in the USA Checklist



• List of posible deficiencies that could result in ship detention

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