Port State Control Inspector implements New Inspection Regime
In line with a recent EU ruling, Europe's Port State Controller (PSC) has implemented new inspection procedures for all vessels.…
Paris MOU, the authority responsible for Port State Control inspections in European ports, has implemented the New Inspection Regime (NIR) as per EU Directive 2009/16/EC, which came into force on 1st January 2011.
As Andrew Stuart, of Andrew Weir Yacht Management, explained: "The NIR scheme assesses both the risk profile of individual vessels entered, and for the first time, the risk profile of the company Document of Compliance (DOC) holder. As such, deficiencies or detentions on one vessel can negatively affect the risk profile of all of the vessels operating under the same DOC, leaving innocent yachts at risk of more rigorous inspections even if they are well-managed on board. Yachts or companies which have not been subject to inspection to date will fall into the standard risk category by default and as such should expect PSC inspections sooner rather than later."
Should Paris MOU decide at any point to carry out an enhanced PSC campaign which targets commercial yachts, Captains of vessels which have not previously been visited should expect a more thorough inspection.
PSC inspections are unannounced and do not account for the vessel’s schedule or yacht charter arrangements. As such, the effects of even a minor deficiency which requires rectification before PSC release the vessel could be serious in terms of lost revenue and unhappy charterers.
This development has prompted the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) to contact all 'Designated Persons Ashore' (DPA) listed on the registry warning them that all yachts over 500gt would become a prime target for inspectors upon entering the Paris MOU region.
Up to now, a yacht's 'risk' level was determined by factors such as its age, flag and class. Now however, yachts that have not previously been targeted will become subject to stringent examinations, in order to develop the [relatively] small database.
According to the marine consultancy, Regs4yachts: "Yachts in France, Spain, Italy, Greece and the UK will now be targeted for inspection so that their condition can be entered on the PSC database. The result of an inspection will not only be a reflection on the yacht and make it liable for further frequent inspections, it will also reflect on the management company and all vessels managed by this company will also then be targeted.
"The only way to not fall foul of this system is to be prepared, train the crew on what to expect and make sure that the vessel has been pre-inspected and deficiencies corrected. Maritime consultancies will need to advise their surveyor to pay close attention when inspecting a yacht and prepare the crew to avoid expensive and embarrassing detentions or prosecutions."
WM
Related Links
Andrew Weir Yacht Management Profile | Andrew Weir Yacht Management Website
Regs4yachts Profile | Regs4yachts Website
As Andrew Stuart, of Andrew Weir Yacht Management, explained: "The NIR scheme assesses both the risk profile of individual vessels entered, and for the first time, the risk profile of the company Document of Compliance (DOC) holder. As such, deficiencies or detentions on one vessel can negatively affect the risk profile of all of the vessels operating under the same DOC, leaving innocent yachts at risk of more rigorous inspections even if they are well-managed on board. Yachts or companies which have not been subject to inspection to date will fall into the standard risk category by default and as such should expect PSC inspections sooner rather than later."
Should Paris MOU decide at any point to carry out an enhanced PSC campaign which targets commercial yachts, Captains of vessels which have not previously been visited should expect a more thorough inspection.
PSC inspections are unannounced and do not account for the vessel’s schedule or yacht charter arrangements. As such, the effects of even a minor deficiency which requires rectification before PSC release the vessel could be serious in terms of lost revenue and unhappy charterers.
This development has prompted the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) to contact all 'Designated Persons Ashore' (DPA) listed on the registry warning them that all yachts over 500gt would become a prime target for inspectors upon entering the Paris MOU region.
Up to now, a yacht's 'risk' level was determined by factors such as its age, flag and class. Now however, yachts that have not previously been targeted will become subject to stringent examinations, in order to develop the [relatively] small database.
According to the marine consultancy, Regs4yachts: "Yachts in France, Spain, Italy, Greece and the UK will now be targeted for inspection so that their condition can be entered on the PSC database. The result of an inspection will not only be a reflection on the yacht and make it liable for further frequent inspections, it will also reflect on the management company and all vessels managed by this company will also then be targeted.
"The only way to not fall foul of this system is to be prepared, train the crew on what to expect and make sure that the vessel has been pre-inspected and deficiencies corrected. Maritime consultancies will need to advise their surveyor to pay close attention when inspecting a yacht and prepare the crew to avoid expensive and embarrassing detentions or prosecutions."
WM
Related Links
Andrew Weir Yacht Management Profile | Andrew Weir Yacht Management Website
Regs4yachts Profile | Regs4yachts Website
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