Policy for compliance verification of the requirements during PSC examinations
The USCG has recently issued guidance on the policy of verifying compliance with the IMSBC and Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 97 and 148 in terms of Port State Control examinations.
The IMSBC Code is referred to as the Code and it applies to the loading, unloading, and carriage of solid bulk cargoesby vessel. Solid bulk cargoes consist of particles, granules, or larger pieces of material generally uniform in composition, which is loaded directly into cargos paces or the hold of a vessel without any intermediate form of containment. The cargoes are typically poured into the hold of a vessel using a chute or dropped into the hold using a grab bucket.
The Code applies to all ships subject to SOLAS and to cargo ships less than 500gross tons. Regardless of whether a vessel’s flag State is signatory to SOLAS,reference (b) applies to all domestic and foreign vessels in the navigable waters ofthe United States that transport solid bulk cargoes, except an unmanned barge ona domestic voyage carrying a Potentially Dangerous Material (PDM) found inTable 148.10 of 46 CFR Part 148. The Code does not apply to grain. Grain cargoshipments must follow the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain inBulk (Grain Code).
In addition to Code requirements, there are several SOLAS regulations that mayalso apply to vessels carrying dangerous solid bulk cargo. Cargo ships of 500gross tonnage and over constructed on or after 1 September 1984 and cargo shipsof less than 500 gross tonnage constructed on or after 1 February 1992, subject toSOLAS Chapter II-2/19.4, must have a document of compliance when carryingdangerous goods in solid form in bulk except class 6.2 and class 7. Those cargoships carrying cargoes classified as PDM or Materials Hazardous Only in Bulk(MHB) also do not require a document of compliance. Refer to SOLAS ChapterII-2/1 for specific applicability
Due to the complexities associated with the requirements of bulk cargo carriage,enclosure (1), IMSBC Code Guidance, is included to assist port state controlofficers (PSCOs) in understanding terms and certain procedures regarding theCode. Refer to Section 13 of the Code for information concerning relevantregulations in SOLAS and other IMO instruments that are applicable.
You may view PSC Guidance by clicking here
Source: USCG
