All Panamanian-flagged vessels transiting or visiting Panamanian ports, prior to their arrival to the US, must conduct a Flag Annual Safety Inspection (ASI) as soon as they arrive at any port or terminal in Panama, the Maritime Authority announced.
The decision came as Panama is currently striving to belong in the QUALSHIP-21 program, a US Coast Guard initiative recognizing and rewarding vessels, as well as their owners and Flag Administrations, for their commitment to safety and quality.
Despite its efforts, the Authority has detected an increase of detentions in vessels arriving in the United States in the past months due to easily fixable deficiencies, the authority said in a new Merchant Marine Notice.
These detentions are due to lack of preparedness for an examination, general knowledge of vessel´s crew to successfully demonstrate normal shipboard equipment procedures during an inspection and general lifesaving appliances ready for immediate use,
…the Notice reads.
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Non-compliance with the provisions of this marine notice will be subject to sanction. Refusing for the first time carries a penalty of 10,000.00 USD. The recurrence will be grounds for the cancellation of the Panamanian registry immediately.
In its Annual PSC report released last month, USCG said the Panama Flag Administration is no longer eligible for the program, but still has ships with valid QUALSHIP 21 certification.