1. Sector Houston Port State Control Division

2. PREVENTION DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION CHART
PREVENTION DEPARTMENT HEAD
(PREV)
WATERWAYS MGMT
DIVISION CHIEF
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION CHIEF
(SIO)
INSPECTIONS DIVISION CHIEF
(CID)
DOMESTIC BRANCH CHIEF
INSPECTIONS
TRAINING
PORT STATE CONTROL BRANCH CHIEF
FACILITIES DIVISION CHIEF

3. Port State Control Goal
The primary goal of the Port State Control (PSC) program is to eliminate substandard vessels (defined as a vessel whose hull, machinery, equipment, or operational safety is substantially below the minimum standards required by the relevant convention or whose crew is not in conformance with the safe manning document) from U.S. waters.

4. Sector Houston-Galveston (Houston Office) Port State Control Branch has 28 inspectors who conduct exams and inspections on foreign flagged deep draft vessels of 300 GT or more.
Over 8000 deep draft vessels arrive to Sector Houston Galveston each year.

5. Exams/ Inspections
Port State Control Conducts the following type of safety exams:
Foreign Freight Exam
Foreign Oil Tank COC Exam
Foreign Chemical Tankship COC Exam
Foreign Gas Carrier COC Exam
Foreign Passenger COC Exam (TBD)
In addition, Port State control examiners conduct ISPS compliance exams; Condition of Entry verification and damage surveys following casualties.

6. Exam Scheduling CITE: 46 CFR 153.809(a) & 46 CFR 154.151(b)
The owner of a foreign flag vessel wishing to have the Coast Guard conduct a Certificate of Compliance (COC) exam…must…
“Notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections of the port where the vessel is to be inspected at least 7 days before the vessel arrives and arrange the exact time and other details of the examination. This is in addition to any other pre-arrival to the Coast Guard required by other regulations.”

7. Exam Scheduling
For Annual exams the law places the responsibility for initiating the exam upon the CG.
For Renewal/Initial exams the vessels owners, operators and agents are required by 46 CFR (a) or 46 CFR (b) to provide and advanced notice of arrival to advise the OCMI/COTP that the vessel is due for an exam.
As soon as we receive the NOA and we screen the vessel for priority then we will contact the agent and establish the exam scheduling.
Any change in vessel ownership should also be reported so we can update our database.
I have included this presentation in the handouts which has scheduling information and information on cargo waivers.

8. Exam Scheduling Send copies of the vessel’s documents:
Most Current CSR
Last COC if applicable
Proof of Payment of User Fees
If the vessel has a cargo pump room or is a gas carrier with an enclosed compressor room, a certified marine chemist must attend and certify the space “Safe for Workers/ Gas Free”, so the Marine Inspectors may examine the space during the course of the exam.
DO NOT JUST SEND US DOCUMENTS! Call to schedule exam.

9. Exam Scheduling: Cargo Waivers Cite: Commandant Instruction M16000
Exam Scheduling: Cargo Waivers Cite: Commandant Instruction M A, MSM, Vol II, Section D, Chapter 6 & Sector Houston Galveston Instruction 16711: Cargo Transfer Operations by a Foreign Tank Vessel in Advance of an Overdue Safety Compliance Exam
Tank vessels overdue for a safety exam automatically become a priority (PII) status which is required to be examined prior to the commencement of cargo operations.
However, the COTP has the discretion to permit, under certain circumstances, to allow a vessel past due for an exam to commence cargo ops prior to the exam via submission of a Cargo Waiver Request.
Since the transfer of cargo involving a vessel overdue for an exam may pose increased risk to the safety of the port, the established policy prescribes measures aimed to reduce that risk.
This policy does not apply to a Priority I vessel or to a vessel that is more than three months overdue for an exam.
In order to be eligible for a cargo waiver the vessel cannot be over 90 days past the annual or expiration of the COC, all critical cargo systems and fire protection must be in working order for the waiver to be issued. The exam must be conducted prior to departure.

10. Exam Scheduling: Cargo Waivers
The vessels master shall conduct tests and inspections as specified in the enclosure within 72 hours of the vessels arrival and subsequent inspection in port.
Complete, sign, and submit the inspection check sheet :
via Fax: or
A copy of the cargo waiver is also available on HOMEPORT.
Cargo waivers can be scheduled at 72 hours prior to operations, if the arrival time changes for the vessel, an updated request may be resent, with a new date signed by the master.

11. Security Exams CITE: MTSA, 46 USC 70108 & Port Security Advisory 07-09
High Interest Vessel (HIV): conducted with armed Boarding Officers offshore.
International Ship & Port Facility Security Code (ISPS): exams conducted to ensure compliance with the ISPS code. Conducted dockside and offshore.
Condition of Entry (COE): exams conducted to ensure security measures were attained in other countries. Conducted dockside and offshore.

12. Control Actions
The COTP or OCMI shall institute appropriate control actions to safeguard the port, personnel, and the environment, when “clear grounds” exist and/or a vessel arrives from a port that does not maintain adequate anti-terrorism measures.

13. Types of Control Actions:
Banning a vessel from all U.S. Ports
Denial of Entry/Expulsion.
IMO Reportable Detentions.
- Captain of the Port (COTP) Order
- Controlling the Ship's Movement.
- Controlling the Ship’s Movement for Security
Controlling the Ship’s Movement for Safety.
Customs Hold.
Restrictions of Operations/Vessel Movement.
Delay
Comprehensive Security Inspection
Letter of Deviation.
Flag State Notification.
Lesser Administrative/Corrective Measures

14. Letter of Deviation
Letter of Deviation can be issued for Navigation items required under 33 CFR164.
Letters of Deviation are intended for inbound voyages, it is expected that repairs will be made in port, Prior to departure.
Vessels will be placed on the “Clear to Enter/Not Clear to Depart” list until a tech report has been received and the deficiency has been cleared.
Send tech reports to
We receive a large number of requests for LODs for radar, gyro compass, and echo depth sounders.
The LOD is meant for to allow vessels to transit into port to make repairs to these items.

15. Captain of the Port Orders
Vessels that experience a loss of propulsion/steering or a prior to departure deficiency during inspection may be issued a Captain of the Port Order.
Vessel must coordinate all movement through the Houston VTS.
Vessel will be on the “Not Clear to Depart List” until a tech/class report is received.
Send reports to

17. Sector Houston Galveston New Building at Ellington Field

18. Sector New Location
Sector
New Location