PSC CIC on Fire Safety Systems by Riyadh MoU

 

ClassNK has informed that Six countries viz. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE of the Riyadh MOU in the Gulf Region are planning the following PSC Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC);

Items of concentrated inspection : Fire Safety Systems (SOLAS Chapter II-2 and FSS Code)
Campaign period : From 1 October to 31 December 2014

During the campaign period, the fire safety plan, fire control measures, drills, crew awareness and other applicable documentation etc. will be verified in more detail.

The purpose of the 6 Maritime Authorities of the Riyadh Memorandum of Understanding (RMoU) launching the Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) is to ensure compliance with SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the International Code for Fire Safety Systems on board ships. This inspection campaign will be held for three months, commencing from October 1st, 2014 and ending on December 31st, 2014.

The CIC is designed to ensure that:
· There is compliance with the requirements of the SOLAS Convention Chapter II-2 and the
International Code for Fire Safety Systems as applicable;
· The firefighting equipment is readily available and maintained at all times;
· The master, officers and crew are familiar with the equipment and have received training in
carrying out their duties and
· To raise awareness of fire safety related issues.

In practice, the CIC will mean that during a regular port State control inspection conducted within the RMoU region, the fire safety plan, fire control measures, drills, crew awareness and other applicable documentation will be verified in more detail for compliance with SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the International Code for Fire Safety Systems.

For this purpose, PSCOs will apply a questionnaire listing a number of items to be covered during the Concentrated Inspection Campaign. The questionnaire has been annexed to this press release. When deficiencies are found, actions by the port State may vary from recording a deficiency and instructing the master to rectify it within a certain period to detaining the ship until serious deficiencies have been rectified.

In the case of detention, publication in the monthly detention lists of the RMoU web site will take place. It is expected that the RMoU will carry out approximately 300 inspections during the CIC. The results of the campaign will be analyzed and findings will be presented to the governing body of the RMoU for submission to the relevant IMO sub-committees.