Port State control inspections in India are carried out under the Indian Ocean MOU, and most ports across East and Southeast Asia fall under the Tokyo MOU. Both regimes target ships by risk profile, both run concentrated inspection campaigns, and both share the same aim: find ships that don't meet international standards before they sail.
A detention costs days of off-hire, raises the ship's risk profile for future inspections and is visible to charterers. This checklist follows the order a PSC officer usually works through a ship, so the crew can prepare the same way.
Before arrival: certificates and documents
- All statutory and class certificates valid, with annual endorsements completed and no expired conditions of class.
- ISM Document of Compliance (copy) and Safety Management Certificate, ISSC and the Maritime Labour Certificate with its DMLC parts I and II.
- Continuous Synopsis Record up to date.
- Minimum Safe Manning Document matches the crew onboard, and every officer's certificate of competency and flag endorsement is valid.
- Seafarer employment agreements, wage records and hours of rest records available and consistent.
- Check whether a concentrated inspection campaign is running in the region, and prepare for its questionnaire.
Bridge and navigation
- Charts and ECDIS updated to the latest notices, with a record of updates and ECDIS training records for each officer.
- Nautical publications current.
- Passage plan berth to berth, including the port approach.
- GMDSS equipment tested, with the radio log complete and battery checks recorded.
- Navigation lights, signal equipment and the voyage data recorder working, with the VDR annual performance test certificate on board.
Fire safety
- Fire doors close and latch properly, and no fire doors are wedged or tied open.
- Fire dampers and ventilation closures operate and are clearly marked.
- Fire detection system tested; emergency fire pump starts and delivers pressure.
- Fixed fire-fighting systems serviced, with records available.
- Firefighter outfits and breathing apparatus complete and charged.
Life-saving appliances
- Lifeboat and rescue boat engines start; release gear and davits serviced, with records.
- Liferafts and hydrostatic release units within service dates.
- EPIRB and SART tested and in date; immersion suits and lifejackets in good condition.
- Muster lists current and matching the crew onboard.
Engine room and pollution prevention
- Oily water separator and its 15 ppm alarm working, with the crew able to demonstrate them.
- Oil Record Book entries match tank soundings, and sludge and bilge figures reconcile.
- Garbage Record Book, garbage management plan and placards in place.
- Bunker delivery notes and fuel samples retained, and fuel in use meets the applicable sulphur limit.
- Ballast water management plan, record book and treatment system records in order.
- No oil leaks, no excessive bilge water, and emergency generator starts and takes load.
Structure, deck and living conditions
- Hatch covers, vents and air pipe closures weathertight and operable.
- Watertight doors and their indicators working.
- Accommodation clean, with adequate provisions, fresh water and medical stores.
- Crew complaint procedure posted and understood.
Drills: the part that detains ships
PSC officers frequently ask for a fire or abandon ship drill. A drill that shows the crew can't operate the equipment, or doesn't know their duties, can lead to detention on its own, even when the equipment is in perfect order. Run a realistic drill before arrival, with a debrief.
Why a pre-PSC inspection pays for itself
Crews who have lived with a ship for months stop seeing its defects. An experienced external inspector boarding before the port call sees the ship the way a PSC officer will, and gives the crew time to put things right.
Navium carries out pre-PSC inspections in Indian and Asian ports and worldwide, with a photo-documented report within 48 hours. See our inspections service.