1.3.1 Under the provisions of the relevant conventions set out in section 1.2 above, the Administration (i.e. the Government of the flag State) is responsible for promulgating laws and regulations and for taking all other steps which may be necessary to give the relevant conventions full and complete effect so as to ensure that, from the point of view of safety of life and pollution prevention, a ship is fit for the service for which it is intended and seafarers are qualified and fit for their duties.
1.3.2 The nature of international shipping means that ships may not frequently call at ports
in their flag State. It is therefore common to find that such flag States appoint the nominated
surveyors at foreign ports and authorize recognized organizations (ROs) in accordance with
the provisions of various conventions.
1.3.3 The following control procedures should be regarded as complementary to national
measures taken by flag State Administrations in their countries and abroad and are intended
to provide a common and consistent approach to the performance of port State control
inspections and control measures taken as a consequence of the detection of serious
deficiencies. These Procedures are also intended to provide assistance to flag State
Administrations in securing compliance with convention provisions in safeguarding the safety
of crew, passengers and ships, and ensuring the prevention of pollution.