The USCG issued a bulletin for vessel owners and operators, informing on how to obtain a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and/or a Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC). The aim of the bulletin is to clarify the U.S. policy on vessel inspections and issuance of certificates, as it pertains to International Health Regulations 2005.
Specifically, the following guidance is provided:
- The “Competent Authority” for IHR 2005 in the U.S. is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ).
- While CDC DGMQ reserves the right to inspect ships and issue SSCC/SSCEC’s, these certificates are currently not required for commercial ships arriving at U.S. ports.
- Port authorities, public agencies, and private organizations are prohibited from issuing or requiring SSCC/ SSCEC’s for ships at U.S. ports.
- Per agreement with CDC DGMQ, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy have been authorized to conduct inspections and issue SSCC/SSCEC’s (CG-5100B) to ships of their respective services (e.g. U.S. Coast Guard Cutters), as well as vessels of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. - For cruise ships, as defined in 42 CFR 71.21, the CDC may issue SSCCs/SSCECs upon request during Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) inspections.
- Currently, ships cannot obtain a SSCC/SSCEC in the U.S., but may obtain a certificate at these ports outside of the U.S. Vessel operators are encouraged to contact the port prior to arrival to ensure a competent authority will be able to inspect the ship and provide the certificate.
- U.S. ships arriving at foreign ports are reminded to provide any public health information requested by the competent authorities and to facilitate their related public health activities. [If required by the competent authority, ship operators must provide: (i) a valid SSC and
(ii) a Maritime Declaration of Health.] - U.S. flag ship owners and operators are encouraged to become familiar with applicable U.S. and foreign port of entry requirements including illness and death reporting.
Further information may be found in the following bulletin: