Ship Fires In The Crosshairs Of Ship Inspection

The Tokyo and Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control, composed of member authorities, will collaborate on a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) focused on Fire Safety. This campaign aims to raise awareness among ship crew and owners regarding the importance of fire safety measures, as well as ensure compliance with fire safety requirements under relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments. The three-month CIC will start on September 1, 2023, and conclude on November 30, 2023. It will be integrated into the regular Port State Control inspections and entail comprehensive examination of specific areas related to fire safety. Each ship will undergo only one inspection within the campaign’s timeframe.

During the inspections, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will employ a predefined questionnaire to assess the compliance of fire-fighting systems and equipment with the applicable requirements. They will also evaluate the familiarity of the ship’s master and crew members with fire safety operations, as well as the proper maintenance and functionality of the equipment. If any deficiencies are identified, the port State may take various actions, such as recording the deficiency and instructing the master to rectify it within a specified timeframe or detaining the ship until serious deficiencies are resolved. In the case of detention, the Tokyo and Paris MoU websites will publish the vessel’s information in their monthly detention lists.

Following the conclusion of the campaign, the results will be analyzed, and the findings will be presented to the governing bodies of both MoUs for potential submission to the IMO. By conducting this joint CIC, the Tokyo and Paris MoUs aim to enhance fire safety awareness, ensure compliance with regulations, and promote the safety of ships and crew members navigating through their port jurisdictions.

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