40 Ship Certificates and Documents that are Checked in a Port State Control (PSC) Survey

A Port State Control (PSC) survey is a general practice that is followed by port authorities around the world to ensure that the foreign ships coming to their ports is in proper condition and complies by the standards put forth by international maritime authorities.

A Port State Control (PSC) survey not only includes inspection of machinery, equipment, and ship’s structure, but also involves verifying of several ship certificates and documents.
important shipping certificates and documents (for all types of vessels) which are often checked during a PSC survey.

• Cargo Record Book

• Oil Record Book

• International tonnage certificate

• Minimum safe manning certificate

• Medical fitness certificate

• Compliance and Safety Management Certificate (ISM Code)

• International Load Line Certificate

• International load line exemption certificate

• Dangerous Cargo Carrying Certificate

• International Oil Prevention certificate

• Cargo ship safety radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony certificates

• Certificate for carriage of liquefied gases in bulk

• Certificate for carriage of noxious liquid substances in bulk

• Passenger ship certificate

• Reports of previous Port State Control Surveys

• Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

• Cargo Securing Manual

• Cargo loading and unloading plans

• Garbage record book and garbage management plan

• Ballast water management plan

• Document of operational limitations in case of passenger ships

• Muster List

• Reports on previous surveys apart from PSC

• Fire control plan

• Special purpose ship safety certificate

• Engine room and bridge log book

• A/A Max Certificate for Ro-Ro Ships

• Records of tests and drills

• High Speed Craft Safety and Operational Certificate in case of high speed craft

• Certificate of Ship’s hull strength and machinery installation issued by the classification society

• Ship crew’s certificate of competency for dangerous goods endorsement

• Certificate for carrying of dangerous chemicals in bulk

• Cargo ship safety certificate

• Ship stability document

• Stowage plan

• Record of oil discharge monitoring and control system for oil tankers

• Mobile offshore drilling safety certificate for offshore drilling vessels

• Documentation of authorization for carrying of particular cargo

• SAR Cooperation plan for passenger ships

• Cargo Ship safety certificate for ship’s construction and equipment