Common PSC detainable deficiencies

Since I began sailing, Port State Control inspections have been a never-ending saga that keeps sailors alert to their responsibilities. On that ground, responsible officers do their utmost to keep the documentation up to date and the vessel in good condition for any upcoming port inspections. On that topic, I’ll list out some of the most common PSC detainable deficiencies.

Common PSC detainable deficiencies noted generally

1. Failure to conduct proper emergency drills
2. Defective emergency batteries
3. Invalid ships certificates, crew licenses and flag state endorsement
4. Defective emergency steering. Ship staff unable to demonstrate procedure for change over to emergency steering
5. Defective emergency air compressor
6. Defective bilge pumping arrangement for cargo holds or engine room or other operational spaces
7. Inoperative emergency generator (must start by two independent means)
8. Damaged sheathing of high pressure fuel oil pipes
9. Crew not adequately rested prior departure port

Life-Saving Appliances

1. Lifeboat engine not operational
2. Lifeboat on load release gear unit or mechanism defective
3. Lifeboat and rescue boat launching arrangements or davits or limit switches no operational
4. Poor condition of lifeboat or equipment

Fire Fighting Appliances

1. Inoperable blower flaps or funnel flaps in the engine room or pump room (ensure flaps shutting fully)
2. Defective quick closing valves
3. Defective emergency fire pump (in light draught, length of jet at least 12 metres with 2 hoses at extreme ends of vessel)
4. Fire line leaking or soft patches on fire line or frozen isolation valves
5. Non-operational fixed deck foam or CO2 or DCP fire fighting system not operational (Low level in the foam tank or servicing not done as per flag requirements)

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MARPOL common PSC detainable deficiencies

1. Excessive oil leaks from machinery
2. 15ppm alarm not operational. OWS and 3-way valve defective
3. Excess amount of oily-water mixture in bilges

Navigation and GMDSS

1. FM/HF DSC defective. Failure to demonstrate by officers (Check operation on emergency battery)
2. Inadequate and uncorrected charts and publications for the voyage

Load Line Common PSC detainable deficiencies

1. Self closing devices or sounding pipes defective (check for self closing device missing or gagged)
2. Presence of cement boxes on seawater lines
3. Shipside railings missing
4. Excessive structural wastages
5. Watertight integrity compromised on hatch cover and watertight doors
6. Poor condition of air pipes. Floats cracked and missing
7. Load line violation. Overloading, draught marks illegible.

ISPS – International Ship and Port Facility Security

1. Inadequate access control (identification of all visitors being checked and names recorded in the visitor’s log)
2. Security alert system defective