Pre-PSC Checklist
Pre-PSC preparation connects documents, actual ship condition and crew with checks under the SMS. A checklist helps assign responsibilities, identify defects and follow up action before the call.
Operational Explanation
PSC preparation is an ongoing review of documents, ship condition and crew familiarity. Record defects and corrective action in the SMS: a completed checklist alone neither demonstrates compliance nor guarantees an inspection outcome.
Pre-PSC preparation covers three levels: documentary (certificates, records), operational (the actual functioning of safety equipment) and human (the crew's knowledge of their own responsibilities and procedures).
For each item, record what was checked, who is responsible and the available evidence: for example the result of the last due test, an endorsed certificate or familiarity with a muster-list duty. Where a defect is found, link it to the record required by the SMS, identify the action and show any open status. A satisfactory document check and a failed test cannot be reduced to one “completed” box.
Regulatory Reference
There is no single rule governing the "pre-PSC checklist": it is good practice derived from the substantive requirements of SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC and the ISM Code, organised to facilitate systematic verification of compliance before arrival in port.
Scope of Application
Ships subject to PSC: use the checklist as a company tool under the SMS, maintenance programme and applicable requirements. Pre-call review is an organizational practice; there is no universal PSC interval for repeating all tests.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Verify the validity of all statutory and class certificates, including intermediate survey deadlines.
- Check results and due dates for critical-equipment tests; perform due or necessary tests under procedures, manuals and risk assessment, coordinating bridge and engine room. Do not create blackouts, discharges or other unsafe conditions to prepare for inspection.
- Verify consistency between the records (ORB, GRB, radio log) and the actual physical situation on board.
- Confirm that the muster list is up to date and that the crew, particularly recently embarked members, know their emergency role.
- Verify the closure status of open NCs and the availability of CAPA documentation for any requests.
- Carry out an internal inspection round (walk-around) in the days before arrival, with the same mindset as a Port State Control Officer (PSCO).
Practical Example
Company example: assign pre-arrival review to the responsible officers early enough to correct defects. A 48-hour lead time may be selected in the SMS but is not a general PSC deadline.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Checklist applied only when an inspection is considered 'likely' | Pre-existing deficiencies remain undetected at port calls perceived as low risk | Integrate review into port-call preparation under the Company SMS rather than relying only on inspection likelihood; tests and maintenance follow their own due dates |
| Documentary verification only, without actual functional testing of the equipment | A valid certificate does not guarantee that the equipment actually works | Check due tests and results; perform necessary tests through a safe procedure |
| Checklist completed by a single person without area-based distributed responsibility | Areas less familiar to the person completing it get overlooked | Distribute the verification among the officers responsible for each area |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Integrate pre-PSC review into port-call preparation under the SMS, including calls where inspection appears unlikely.
- Plan necessary tests safely and retain results under the SMS and applicable requirements.
- Use the internal pre-arrival inspection round as a training opportunity for junior crew.
Preparation checklist
Educational checklist. This summary supports learning and preparation only. It does not replace the vessel’s approved procedures, manuals, statutory documents, company SMS, or applicable official requirements. Completing it demonstrates neither compliance nor readiness for an inspection: it shows that a list has been read, not that the ship is in order. Always verify the current documents carried on board.
- Statutory and class certificates verified (validity and intermediate surveys)
- Critical-equipment tests: due dates, results and defect actions checked
- Records (ORB, GRB, radio log) consistent with the actual situation
- Muster list up to date and known to the crew
- Open NCs and CAPA status verified and documented
FAQ
Related Topics
Certified substantive revision: 14 October 2026 · page fingerprint 38440bb2bee2