Compliance checks

Both national legislation and international regulations put in place by the International Maritime Organization within the framework of the international Marpol Convention function through checks for compliance. Marpol came into force in 1983 and its annexes are constantly being revised. The convention states that all vessels must possess a certificate of compliance defining a set of standard safety techniques. In the event of non-compliance, the vessel may be banned from leaving port by inspectors from its State of registration (Flag State) or the State in which it puts into port (Port State).

In order for checks to be more effective, the European countries signed a Memorandum (known as the Paris Memorandum) in 1982 which introduced a common vessel inspection system and set minimum check quotas. The Erika and Prestige accidents highlighted the lack of these checks in certain countries, due to an insufficient number of inspectors.

Inspector onboard a docked vessel