Port State Control - Paris and Tokyo MOUs - Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery
The 45 maritime authorities of the Paris and Tokyo MOUs on Port State Control (PSC) have announced that they will be running a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) from 1 September 2013 until 30 November 2013 addressing compliance with aspects of SOLAS Chapter II-1/Construction – Structure, Subdivision and Stability, Machinery and Electrical Installations. The Paris and Tokyo MOUs advise that “the scope of the CIC is the safety of propulsion and auxiliary machinery, especially the working order and maintenance of the main engines, auxiliary engines, auxiliary equipment and their related alarm systems. Special attention will be given to familiarity of the crew with safety and emergency procedures with regard to these systems”.
Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) conducting routine PSC inspections during the currency of the CIC may use an additional checklist of 11 items covering the following areas:
- Instructions and manuals for machinery essential to the safe operation of the vessel
- Unmanned machinery space certification
- Automatic shut-downs on main engines and generators
- Physical guards on machinery to prevent personal injury
- Operability of main engines and generators
- Cleanliness of the machinery spaces and bilges
- Main and auxiliary boilers and feed systems
- Emergency power supplies and emergency lighting
- Machinery spaces bilge pumping systems
In addition to the physical inspection and testing of the foregoing areas, the PSCO may require the crew to conduct an emergency steering drill and/or conduct an emergency drill in relation to the operation of the main engine.
If deficiencies are found, the action taken will depend on the severity of the findings. Minor infractions of regulatory requirements may be given a time limit for rectification, whereas serious deficiencies may result in the vessel being detained.
The Indian Ocean MOU and Black Sea MOU have announced they will also be running CICs covering propulsion and auxiliary machinery during the same period.
Members are advised to ensure that their vessels are suitably prepared.