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• Vincent & the Grenadines maritime administration has issued a revision no.2 of circular PSC 018 (copy attached) providing guidance on the requirements of vessel surveys upon detention by PSC.

• Administration has advised that Circular PSC 018 rev.2, Circular PSC 001 Rev. 1 and Circular PSC 016 are required to be kept onboard St. Vincent & the Grenadines flagged vessels.

• Notice provides specific instruction for survey based on number of detention during a two year period as follows:

a. Surveys after first detention (during a two year period):

1. When a SVG ship is detained, the Company managing the ship or the ship’s master is required to inform immediately to the Flag Administration and request the RO to attend the vessel immediately. The scope of inspection will not only be limited to the deficiencies noted by PSC.

If the date of the detention falls within ±3 months’ window for statutory surveys, they should be conducted before the ship sails. In the case of renewal surveys, they should be conducted to the extent possible, except for safety equipment and radio, which should be completed. A time schedule for the completion of surveys at the next convenient port should be set and they should not be delayed until the next end of the window.

If the date of the detention does not fall within the ±3 months’ window, after clearing the PSC deficiencies RO surveyor will carry out a general examination of the vessel after which it will be decided by Surveyor whether extra surveys are required based on his professional judgment.

In cases where the Surveyor deems that more thorough surveys are required, the extent of surveys in respect of safety equipment will be that of Renewal survey and for statutory certificates other than safety equipment it will be that of annual survey.

2. Failure to comply with requirement of point no. 1 will result in the following:  

An additional audit of the Company by RO (equivalent to the initial audit) is required within one month from the date of the detention.

Upon arrival at the next port of call, the Statutory Certificates will cease to be valid until all required surveys are satisfactorily completed and an additional shipboard audit is carried out by RO and/or Flag Administration.

b. Surveys after second detention (during a two year period):

When a SVG ship is detained twice within two years (irrespective of the detaining authority /MOU), the Company managing the ship or the ship’s master are required to inform immediately the Flag Administration and request the RO to attend the vessel immediately and in addition to the provisions of point no. ‘a’  above the following will be applied:

Additional audit of the shore based SMS will be carried out by RO to the extent of an initial audit, due to failure to comply with National/International requirements.

Audit and survey of the ship by the RO will be carried out, not necessarily limited to the extent of the statutory certificates and audit report will be submitted to the Flag Administration.

Administration reserves the right to attend the ship on the occasion of the above mentioned audit and inspection. All expenses will be charged to the Owners’ or Managers’ account.

c. Surveys after third detention (during a two year period):

When a SVG ship is detained three times within two years (irrespective of the detaining authority /MOU), the following will be applied:

All Statutory Certificates will be suspended as from the date of the detention.

An initial audit of the Company by RO will be required.

Administration reserves the right to attend the ship on the occasion of the above mentioned audit and inspection. All expenses will be charged to the Owners’ or Managers’ account.

• When a St. Vincent and the Grenadines ship is banned by a specific MOU the following will be applied:All Statutory Certificates will be suspended as soon as the ship calls at the first port after the detention port and an initial audit of the company will be carried out.

• Administration reserves the right to delete a vessel on short notice depending on the number or nature of the deficiencies reported by the PSC.

• Ship owners/ operators and masters are advised to be guided by above.

Enclosure:

1. St. Vincent & the Grenadines circular PSC 018 Rev.2

Disclaimer:

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