Technical Circular No: 002/2023
Download PDF 1. Antigua & Barbuda Maritime Administration with an aim to enhance the performance of their vessels subjected to inspection by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued Circular No. 2018-005, Rev. 006 & 2020-002, Rev. 004 respectively providing requirements for vessels intending to call U.S. and Australian ports.
2. Vide above stated Circulars, Administration has provided following guidance for Masters, Officers, Shipowners and Ship Managers:
i. When calling at a United States/ Australian Ports:
a. For vessels intending to call United States, Owners, Managers and Crews are to be aware of the status of their vessel, shipping company and charterer as per the targeting scheme of the U.S. Coast Guard for Port State. For vessels intending to call Australian ports, they need to be aware of the status of their vessel, shipping company and charter as per the AMSA ship inspection database. (Information in this regard can be obtained thru the link provided in the respective circular).
b. Masters and Officers calling U.S. ports should be familiar with the U.S. Coast Guard Inspection Guidelines / Job Aids, pertaining to their particular type of vessel. For vessels calling Australian ports, they need to be aware of the legal reporting requirements of sections 185 and 186 of the Navigation Act 2012. Relevant information can be obtained thru the link provided in the respective circular.
c. It is to be ensured that all documentation is well kept, organized, available and presentable. A standard of tidiness shall also apply to the vessel, its equipment and crew. This begins at the gangway or embarkation ladder, where any visitors, e.g. boarding inspectors, is to be identified, issued a visitors’ card, logged and then accompanied to the ship’s or master’s office, as required.
d. Prior to any port call in United States and Australia, the checklist, as contained in the annex to Circular No. 2018-005, Rev. 006 & 2020-002, Rev. 004 is to be completed by the vessels relevant management / officers, signed, dated and confirmed by the master / chief officer and the responsible Designated Person Ashore (DPA)/ Deputy DPA. The filled checklist is to be retained onboard for at least three years.
e. The correct completion of the checklist may be subject to a further check by flag State inspectors during their required inspections and the details will be checked against the related PSC Report of Inspection forms, as retained onboard. In addition, flag Recognised Organisations (ROs) may also review the correct completion of this checklist, during their ship and company ISM audits and a non-conformity (NC) may be raised if not in compliance.
f. Exemptions from this requirement may be requested for vessels calling at United States/ Australia more frequently than twice per month or every fourteen days. Such are evaluated by the ADOMS Technical Division and approved on an individual basis, considering the previous PSC performance of the subject vessel.
ii. When being inspected by Port State Control:
a. All key staff are to be present during an opening and closing meeting unless special duty, leave or rest requires otherwise, in which case this must be explained. All parties to be given an opportunity to properly introduce themselves. The intended schedule and procedures of the inspection are to be outlined and noted, in advance.
b. During the opening meeting the inspectors to be informed of any deficiencies, shortcomings, malfunctions, ongoing maintenance, exemptions, and temporary permissions etc. in advance. This should be recorded. During the inspection, the escorting officers must take notes on any mentioned or recorded deficiencies and report these at once to the Master. Any shortcomings should be addressed immediately and, if possible, corrected on the spot. During the closing meeting the results are to be discussed, and any ambiguities should be clarified. It shall become clear what the specific deficiencies (if any) are and if the vessel will be detained or not.
c. Report the inspection to the company’s DPA/Management and ADOMS (reporting@adomsiid.org), if required. The checklist contained in the Annex is to be included.
3. Ship Owners/ operators and masters of Antigua & Barbuda flagged vessels are advised to be guided by above and ensure that prior arrival United States and Australian ports, Pre-Arrival checklist is correctly filled and record maintained.
Enclosure:
Disclaimer:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.