USCG Targeted Flag List for ISPS-MTSA

The U.S. Coast Guard issued its 2004 Targeted Flag List for ISPS-MTSA. Vessels documented with listed nations are automatically assigned additional points for purposes of determining their priority for a port state control examination. Just like golf, the goal is to have as few points as possible. The points assigned on the Targeted Flag List are based on the USCG Control Action Ratio (CAR). Nations for which 7 points have been assigned include: Bolivia, Cayman Islands, Netherlands, Russia, and Thailand. Nations for which 2 points have been assigned include; Antigua & Barbuda, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Malta, Panama, and Singapore. Non-SOLAS vessels flying the flags of Bolivia, Cook Islands, and Honduras have also been assigned 7 points. Under the USCG Security Boarding Matrix, vessels scoring 6 or fewer total points are only boarded on a random basis; vessels scoring 7-16 total points will be examined upon port arrival; and vessels scoring 17 or higher total points will be examined prior to port entry. (HK Law).