The aforementioned inspection campaign is additional to the regular Concentrated Inspection Campaigns and is held in a different time of the year due to the seasonal voyage plans of the ships sailing to the Polar area. The goal of the Polar Code inspection campaign is:

-to determine the level of compliance with the requirements of the Polar Code within the shipping industry

-to create awareness amongst ship crews and ship owners with regard to the importance of compliance with the provisions of the Polar Code, the increased risk to ships operating in polar waters and the protection of the vulnerable polar environment

-to send a signal to the industry that safety- and pollution prevention related requirements are mandatory and enforcement with the applicable requirements is high on the agenda of the PMoU member Authorities

-to underline the responsibility of the Port State Control regime with regard to harmonised enforcement of compliance with the requirements of the Polar Code, thus improving the level of compliance and ensuring a level playing field.

More specific, a detailed checklist will be completed by inspectors when conducting focused inspections. The key subjects are the following:

-Is the ships’ Polar Ship Certificate valid?

-Is the Polar Water Operational Manual (PWOM) readily available on board?

-Can exposed sections of the fire main be isolated and are the sections provided with means for draining of the sections?                   

-Are there means of receiving and displaying current information on ice conditions on board?

-Are there measures on board to prevent ice accretion?

-Does the vessel carry proper lifesaving equipment onboard?

-Do master, Chief mate and other officers in charge of a navigational watch, have the required certificates in accordance with STCW, chapter V and the Polar Code for the polar waters the ship is certified to operate in?

-Is the ship’s crew responsible for garbage management well aware of the additional requirements in the Polar Code that shall be met to prevent pollution by garbage from ships as additional requirements to MARPOL annex V, regulation 4?

-Is the ship’s crew responsible for sewage discharge, well aware of the requirements if discharge of sewage in Polar waters should be considered?

Source: www.parismou.org

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