Coast Guard Inspection on the Getaway

[Seminole1975]

The Getaway is having a Coast Guard inspection tomorrow. Does anyone know what that entails and how it might impact the cast/crew or passengers getting off the ship? Thanks.

[cheaperts]

The Getaway is having a Coast Guard inspection tomorrow. Does anyone know what that entails and how it might impact the cast/crew or passengers getting off the ship? Thanks.

 

Should happen in the background, not causing any real impact on pax

[mking8288]

We haven't run into one of those USCG ones in a while - disembarkation should be smooth & interrupted. Embarkation for the next sailing, if I recall - based on NYC (we found out after arriving at the pier that morning) - was and is likely going to be delayed. I think we're delayed by about an hour, if not more - not getting onto the ship until like 12:30 or 1 PM (instead of 11:15 to 11:30 AM) Sailaway was almost on time, maybe 15 minutes past the scheduled time.

 

Then, there're health inspections - focused on F&B, saw uniformed officers doing their walkaround in the buffet area & looking everywhere.

[chengkp75]

USCG port state inspections should not affect disembarkation in any way.

 

Once the ship is empty of passengers, the crew fire and boat drill will take place, and this requires all crew to participate, which will affect turn-around duties. The drill will normally take about one hour, but if the USCG inspectors are not happy with the crew's level of proficiency as displayed in the drill, they can ask for the drill to be restarted and run again, perhaps with a different scenario, or stop a drill midstream and re-run some segments. This can keep all crew away from turn-around duties for up to several hours. Typically, the cruise line will hire additional shore staff to continue turning cabins around when a USCG inspection is scheduled, to try to minimize the impact on sailing. Behind the scenes, USCG inspectors will be working with the deck and engine departments inspecting and testing safety and lifesaving equipment throughout the ship, and this will take most of the turn-around port call. USCG has a goal to inspect all foreign flag cruise ships twice a year, but budgetary constraints typically reduce that to once a year.

 

USPH sanitary inspections are designed to take 8 hours, with inspectors checking all facets of sanitation onboard including ventilation, lighting, pools, drinking water, medical and child care facilities, passenger and crew cabin cleanliness, as well as food safety. A full meal service is required to be observed during the inspection to determine that the crew are following all procedures even with the stress of a meal service. USPH tries to inspect twice a year as well, and they are much more successful in meeting this goal.

[Dcoy]

Before the start of my world cruise on the Queen Victoria a few years ago there was an inspection. It had been a while since the ship had stopped at a US port. The inspection took awhile as we did not start boarding till after 1 pm vs the scheduledl 11 am.

 

Luckily the ship was not sailing till 8 pm

 

Don

[Seminole1975]

Thank ya'll so much! You answered my questions. (I had hoped that Mr. Cheng would answer!)

[GregD]

USCG port state inspections should not affect disembarkation in any way........

 

I have a really stupid question, but how do USCG's Port state inspections differ than COC exams that they do. Our ships have to get those before they enter a US port for the first time(and once every year). But I've always heard PSI's used at other ports that we go to.

[chengkp75]

I have a really stupid question, but how do USCG's Port state inspections differ than COC exams that they do. Our ships have to get those before they enter a US port for the first time(and once every year). But I've always heard PSI's used at other ports that we go to.

 

Port State inspections focus primarily on SOLAS compliance, though they can look at any IMO Code for compliance.

 

The Certificate of Compliance inspections are really based more on the initial one, where plans are submitted prior to the inspection, and the inspection is designed to ensure the ship matches the plans, and the plans meet IMO requirements. These inspections tend to be more far ranging, looking at the ship's ISM, ISPS, MLC, STCW and MARPOL compliance, as well as SOLAS.

 

The COC inspections are supposed to be once for the vessel before it embarks passengers in the US for the first time, and then only every year after 5 years since the original inspection, or if the ship has had major modifications.

 

PSI may be done at any time, and the USCG tends to have a "points" system like your DMV, where previous observations and non-conformities found during previous PSI's will trigger more frequent PSI's.

 

Also, COC inspections are only for foreign flag passenger vessels, while PSI's are for all foreign flag vessels.

[GregD]

Port State inspections focus primarily on SOLAS compliance, though they can look at any IMO Code for compliance.

 

The Certificate of Compliance inspections are really based more on the initial one, where plans are submitted prior to the inspection, and the inspection is designed to ensure the ship matches the plans, and the plans meet IMO requirements. These inspections tend to be more far ranging, looking at the ship's ISM, ISPS, MLC, STCW and MARPOL compliance, as well as SOLAS.

 

The COC inspections are supposed to be once for the vessel before it embarks passengers in the US for the first time, and then only every year after 5 years since the original inspection, or if the ship has had major modifications.

 

PSI may be done at any time, and the USCG tends to have a "points" system like your DMV, where previous observations and non-conformities found during previous PSI's will trigger more frequent PSI's.

 

Also, COC inspections are only for foreign flag passenger vessels, while PSI's are for all foreign flag vessels.

 

Thanks for the clarification.