PSC Inspections are becoming increasingly activated every year around the world, especially in 2011 PSC Inspections have been increased in China and India.

Furthermore, there is a trend to point out some software assessment problems such as operation of ship and management of seafarers, in addition to the deficiencies of hardware side such as hull, equipment and machinery.

You are kindly requested to call attention to following recent major items pointed out at PSC Inspections related to ISM Code.

1. Insufficient preparation of Voyage Planning
With regard to voyage planning to ensure that the intended voyage has been planned prior to proceeding to sea using the appropriate nautical charts and nautical publications, following deficiencies are pointed out.
(1) Deficiencies on nautical chart or insufficient up-to-date of chart
[Example]
Non-availability of largest scale chart of the intended area
Use of a chart which is to be destroyed
Use of a chart which is not up-to-date
(2) Non-observance of requirements for Special Areas, MARPOL Annex VI, or Particularly Sensitive Sea Area: PSSA.
Specially, please refer to the Circular issued by AMSA as some breaches are reported on navigation in the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef.
Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
http://www.amsa.gov.au/Publications/Fact_sheets/PSA_fact.pdf
Important Changes to REEFVTS
http://www.amsa.gov.au/Publications/Fact_sheets/REEFVTS.pdf
(3) Operation Procedure for Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
[Example]
Non-availability of electronic chart of the intended shipping route
No use of the latest approved electronic chart (International Hydrographic Organization IHO Standard)
If an officer of the watch does not know for using of the ECDIS properly even though an additionally equipped it may be pointed out as a deficiency.

(To be continued)