Brazilian port health authorities have become rigorous
The Brazil P&I Club has been advised that Brazilian port health authorities, ANVISA, have become rigorous in the inspections of vessels in Rio de Janeiro and São Francisco do Sul with regard to Air-conditioning systems & the Control of Specimens of Synanthropic Fauna Harmful to Health. Articles 60, 61 & 79 ~ 81 (Resolution 72, of 29 DEC 2009) are provided below for guidance. Additionally ANVISA are asking for certificates of compliance with what is foreseen in articles 61 and 80. These resolutions translated read as follows:
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Section V
Of the System of Air-conditioning
Article 60. The components of the system of air-conditioning of the vessel must be kept in good conditions of the maintenance, operation, control, and cleaning.
– 1 The compartment where the mixing chamber of return air and renewal air shall be for the exclusive use of the system of air-conditioning, and the presence, in these compartments, of any materials, products and tools is prohibited.
– 2 After the completion of procedures for cleaning and disinfection of the system of air-conditioning, solid dirt must be packed in bags of resistant material and adequate porosity.
– 3 The capitation inlets of external air should be protected from possible sources of pollution, by providing them with filters, whose action must occur before the completion of the mixture of external air and return air.
Article 61. The spreadsheets of the maintenance, operation, cleaning and disinfection of equipment for air-conditioning, as well as the reports of the quality of the air, must be submitted to the appropriate health authority, when requested.
Sole Paragraph. The quality of the air of environments artificially acclimatized, by means of air-conditioning systems with a refrigeration capacity equal to or greater than 5 TR’s (60,000 BTU’s ), must be evaluated every six months and meet the physical, chemical and biological parameters defined in RE number 9, by January 16, 2003, as well as its updates.
Section X
of the Control of Specimens of Synanthropic Fauna Harmful to Health.
Article 79. The vessel in transit or stay in a port of sanitary control within the national territory shall be maintained free of breeding places of insect larvae, adult insects and other animals transmitters or receivers of diseases of importance to public health and poisonous animals whose presence entails risks to the individual or collective health, as well as factors that are conducive to the maintenance and breeding of these animals.
Article 80. The vessels must, at least twice a year, be submitted to procedures of disinsectization and de-ratisation, which must be proven by means of records or certificates.
– 1 The records or certificates referred to in the main clause of this article must be signed by the companys technical person responsible for control and contain the following information:
I methodology used, with technique(s) of application;
II – dosage by compartment;
III – active substances insecticides, rodenticides and inert, used in concentrations of use permitted.
– 2 The packaging of the products used in the services for the control of specimens of synanthropic fauna harmful to health should be discarded in a correct and safe manner, in accordance with the current specific standard, avoiding contamination of humans, animals and the environment.
– 3 The use of formulations insecticides or rodenticides containing an active substance or a form of presentation not authorized by the competent bodies is prohibited, as well as the use of concentrations above the permitted limits.
Article 81. The vessel must maintain means and equipment of prevention against rodents, Installed and functioning, constructed and handled in such a way as to guarantee their efficiency and effectiveness.
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It is anticipated that Members vessels may be unable to produce these documents to the Brazilian port health authority on arrival in Port. ANVISA inspectors have customarily notified the vessels to comply with this requirement and submit the relevant certificates during the ships port stay. If the vessel does not comply the Port authority may issue a fine, delay the vessel sailing or even detain the vessel until compliance is achieved.
For the vessel to attain compliance she needs to employ local companies to carry out inspection and issue the relevant certificates. These companies need to be approved by Port Health Authorities, details of which can be sort through a local agent.
At present the vessels are being notified in the ports of Rio de Janeiro (Art. 61 and 80) and São Francisco do Sul (Art. 80 only). However this initiative may become apparent in more Brazilian ports in the future.
Members should contact their local agents for latest information prior to arrival.
Source: The Brazil P&I Club/ The UK P&I Club
