In its latest Port State Control Annual Report for 2017, the US Coast Guard presented its Safety and Environmental Protection Compliance Targeting Matrix, which is used to decide which ships PSC Officers should board on any given day, in any given port.
Points are assessed in each of the five columns and then summed for a total point score. This numerical score, along with other performance based factors, determines a ship’s boarding priority. The Safety Targeting Matrix illustrates the priority categories and associated operational restrictions which may be imposed on ships by US Coast Guard Captains of the Port.
I. Ship Management
- 5 Points: Listed Owner, Operator, or Charterer
II. Flag State
- 7 Points: Flag State has a detention ratio 2 or more times the overall average for all flag states
- 2 Points: Flag State has a detention ratio between the overall average and up to 2 times the overall average for all flag states
III. Recognized Organizations
Priority I: Detention ratio equal to or greater than 2%
- 5 Points: Detention ratio less than 2% but greater than or equal to 1%
- 3 Points: Detention ratio less than 1% but greater than .5%
- No Points: Detention ratio less than .5%
IV. Vessel history
Priority II: First time to US or no port State control exam in the previous 12 months
- 5 Points each: Detention, denial of entry, or expulsion in the previous 12 months
- 1 Point each: COTP restricted the operations of the vessel for safety related issues in the previous 12 months (including LODs)
- 1 Point each: Reportable marine casualty in the previous 12 months
- 1 Point each: Marine violation in the previous 12 months
V. Ship Particulars
- 4 Points:
–>General Cargo Ship
–>Ro-Ro Cargo Ship
–>Vehicle Carrier
–>Passenger Ship involved in “day trips” or ferry service - 2 Points:
–>Bulk Carrier
–>Refrigerated Cargo - 1 Point:
–> Oil or Chemical Tanker - Ship Age (Use Delivery Date):
–>0-4 years – subtract 3
–>5-9 years – subtract 2
–>10-14 years – add 0
–>15-19 years – add 3
–>20-24 years – add 5
–>25+ years – add 7
*For Qualship 21 vessels only; points should not be added in this column, but points can be subtracted for age.
Total Targeting Score
(Sum of Columns I-V) determines vessels priority (PI, PII, or NPV)
Priority (P)I Vessel:
17 or more points on the Matrix; ships involved in a marine casualty that may have affected seaworthiness; USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) determines a vessel to be a potential hazard to the port or the environment; ships whose Recognized Organization (classification society) has a detention ratio equal to or greater than 2%. Port entry may be restricted until the Coast Guard examines the vessel.
Priority (P)II Vessel:
7 to 16 points on the Matrix; outstanding requirements from a previous examination in this or another U.S. port that require clearing; the vessel has not been examined within the past 12 months per column IV. Cargo operations or passenger embarkation/debarkation may only be restricted if the COTP determines that the vessel poses a safety or environmental risk to the port.
Non-Priority Vessel (NPV): 6 or fewer points on the Matrix. Vessel poses a low safety and environmental risk. The Coast Guard may select and examine vessel using the PSC random selection process.
Downgrade Clause: If a vessel has scored either a PI or PII and has had a USCG PSC examination within the previous 6 months with no serious deficiencies, the COTP may downgrade the vessel to NPV. If the COTP downgrades a vessel, it will be added to the pool of random examinations.
