Hong Kong Marine Department issues Note on PSC
The Hong Kong Marine Department has issued Merchant Shipping Information Note to remind to remind shipowners, ship managers and ship masters of theirresponsibilities to ensure their ships are properly maintained and of the procedures tofollow when deficiencies are found or when the ship is detained during a PSC inspection.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
When a ship is subjected to a PSC inspection, the PSC Officer(s) will issue aninspection report (FORM A and FORM B) to the master, listing the deficiencies and nonconformities, if any, found during the inspection and specify a time frame within which theoutstanding items should be rectified.
Where the grounds for detention are the result of accidental damage suffered duringthe ship’s voyage to a port, no detention order will be issued, provided that:
- due account has been given to the Convention requirements regarding notificationto the flag State Administration, the nominated surveyor or the recognizedorganization responsible for issuing the relevant certificate;
- prior to entering a port, the master or company has submitted to the port Stateauthority details on the circumstances of the accident and the damage sufferedand information about the required notification of the flag State Administration;and
- appropriate remedial action, to the satisfaction of the port State Authority, isbeing taken by the ship.This same principle should be followed when a breakdown or failure of equipmentoccurs while the vessel is at sea and for some reasons cannot be rectified before arrival in port.
In the event of a Hong Kong registered ship being detained as a result of PSCintervention, the ship master or owner should immediately:
- forward a copy of the PSC inspection report (i.e. FORM A and FORM B), statingwhen, where and by whom the ship has been detained, to this Department; and
- contact the local office(s) of the ship’s Classification Society and/or the ship’sSMC Classification Society and/or the ship’s ISSC Recognized SecurityOrganization to arrange an inspection and/or audit for confirmation of thedeficiencies and/or non conformities, and other necessary remedial action asdirected by the port State
Although the number of ships in the Hong Kong Shipping Registry is increasing, thePSC detention rate for Hong Kong registered ships was still well below the international average .Hong Kong Shipping Registry shall continuously upkeep the quality of Hong Kong registered ships in order to maintain their good reputation.
Source: Hong Kong Marine Department