The Maritime Authority of the Riyadh Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control announces a Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Safety of Navigation, SOLAS V. Other port state control regimes may participate as well. The campaign’s aim is to verify that the master and watchkeeping officers are familiar with shipboard navigation systems and equipment.

The Campaign will be held for three months starting October, 1 2015 through 31 December 2015.

Owners and operators of U.S. Flag vessels should expect that during regular port state control inspections, selected items will be inspected in more detail for compliance with SOLAS. Port state control officers will utilize a questionnaire that covers 12 selected areas for verification. View MSIB 11-15 for the questionnaire.

When deficiencies are found, the Port State may record them and instruct the master to undertake corrective action within a specified period. Serious deficiencies could result in a detention. U.S. vessel detentions may result in a follow-up inspection by the Coast Guard. The results of the campaign will be analyzed and findings will be presented to the governing bodies of the MoU for submission to the International Maritime Organization.

U.S. Flag vessel owners and operators are encouraged to take steps necessary to become familiar with the inspection criteria prior to the campaign. Verifying that vessels meet applicable requirements under SOLAS in advance of foreign voyages and port calls can go a long way toward facilitating PSC inspections.

Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection are requested to facilitate wide distribution of this Notice to vessel operators that will be affected. The Coast Guard stands ready to assist vessels owners and operators in this compliance effort.

View MSIB 11-15 for full details.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.