Press release

FOREIGN FLAGGED SHIPS UNDER DETENTION IN THE UK DURING NOVEMBER 2015

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that seven foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during November 2015 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection.

During November, there were five new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port. Two vessels remained under detention from previous months and four vessels were released during November. A total of three vessels remain under detention at the end of November.

  1. In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson’s Inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (2009/16/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.

  2. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as Thetis. This allows the ships of flags with poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.

  3. Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. When a ship is found to be not in compliance with applicable Convention requirements, a deficiency may be raised. If the deficiency is so serious that it has to be rectified before departure, then the ship may be detained.

  4. All deficiencies should be rectified before departure if at all possible.

  5. When applicable, the list includes those passenger craft prevented from operating under the provisions of the EU Directive on Mandatory Surveys for the safe operation of regular Ro-Ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (1999/35/EU).

Notes on the list of detentions

  • Full details of the ship. The accompanying detention list shows ship’s name, the flag state and the ship’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies it.
  • Company. The company shown in the vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (SMC) or if there is no SMC, then the party otherwise believed to be responsible for the safety of the ship at the time of inspection.

  • Classification Society. The list shows the Classification Society responsible for classing the ship only.

  • Recognised Organisation. Responsible for conducting the statutory surveys: and issuing statutory certificates on behalf of the Flag State

  • White (WL), Grey (GL) and Black lists (BL) are issued by the Paris MoU on 01 July each year and shows the performance of flag State.

SHIPS DETAINED IN NOVEMBER 2015

  • Date and Place of Detention: 4 November 2015, Southampton.
  • Vessel Name: GRIFTBOR
  • GT: 2771
  • IMO No: 9116008
  • Flag: ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (White List)
  • Company: Atrica-Marine Ltd.
  • Classification Society: Bureau Veritas (BV)
  • Recognised Organisation: Bureau Veritas (BV) / RMRS - Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: RMRS - Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: RMRS - Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
  • Summary: eleven deficiencies with seven grounds for detention.
Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
18302 - Sanitary Facilities Inoperative Y
18302 - Sanitary Facilities Not hygienic Y
18304 - Lighting (Accommodation) Damaged Y
18306 - Sleeping room, additional spaces Dirty Y
18308 - Furnishings Damaged  
18312 - Galley, handlingroom (maintenance) Not hygienic Y
18314 - Provisions quantity Insufficient  
18315 - Provisions quality and nutritional value Not as required  
18324 - Cold room, cold room cleanliness, cold room temperature Not hygienic Y
18318 - Food temperature Not as required Y
18427 - Ship’s occupational safety and health policies and programmes Incorrect language  

This vessel was released on 13 November 2015


  • Date and Place of Detention: 10 November 2015, Teesport.
  • Vessel Name: NORGAS ORINDA
  • GT: 8720
  • IMO No: 9240122
  • Flag: SINGAPORE (White List)
  • Company: Norgas Carriers Pte Ltd.
  • Classification Society: Germanischer Lloyd (GL)
  • Recognised Organisation: GL
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: GL
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: GL
  • Summary: nineteen deficiencies with one grounds for detention
Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
16105 – Access Control Not as required  
01102 - Cargo Ship Safety Construction (including exempt.) Invalid  
01112 - Liquefied Gases in Bulk (ICoF/IGC Code) Not properly filled  
01140 - Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (Part I and II) Missing  
01214 - Endorsement by flagstate Expired  
18201 - Fitness for duty - work and rest hours Rest hours insufficient  
10116 - Nautical publications Missing  
02122 - Openings to cargo area, doors, … scuttles Not as required  
11104 - Rescue boats Not ready for use  
18407 - Lighting (Working spaces) Insufficient  
06199 - Other (cargo) Other  
18401 - Medical Equipment, medical chest, medical guide Expired  
18420 - Cleanliness of engine room Not as required  
07105 - Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions Not as required  
18326 - Laundry, Adequate Locker Not as required  
04109 - Fire drills Lack of training  
04110 - Abandon ship drills Lack of training  
04118 - Enclosed space entry and rescue drills Lack of training  
15150 - ISM Not as required Y

This vessel was released on 13 November 2015


  • Date and Place of Detention: 11 November 2015, Ellesmere Port.
  • Vessel Name: RIVER THAMES
  • GT: 1973
  • IMO No: 8601563
  • Flag: VANUATU (Grey List)
  • Company: Wakes & Co Ltd, London.
  • Classification Society: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK)
  • Recognised Organisation: Bulgarian Register of Shipping (BRS)
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: Bulgarian Register of Shipping (BRS)
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: Bulgarian Register of Shipping (BRS)
  • Summary: twenty-two deficiencies with three grounds for detention
Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
01199 - Other (certificates) Other  
01326 - Stability Information Booklet Not approved  
01123 - Continuous synopsis record Entries missing  
01199 - Other (certificates) Other  
08199 - Other (alarms) Other  
11104 - Rescue boats Not properly maintained  
08108 - UMS - alarms Malfunctioning  
11105 - Rescue boat inventory Missing  
03110 - Manholes/flush scuttles Not as required  
18413 - Warning notices Not as required  
04103 - Emergency, lighting, batteries and switches Inadequate  
03199 - Other (load lines) Other  
10199 - Other (navigation) Other  
10106 - Compass correction log Not as required  
13199 - Other (machinery) Other  
07105 - Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions Not as required  
18499 - Other (Health protection, medical care) Other  
07105 - Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions Missing Y
11124 - Embarkation arrangement survival craft Missing  
04118 - Enclosed space entry and rescue drills Not as required  
04108 - Muster list Lack of familiarity Y
15150 - ISM Not as required Y

This vessel was released on 17 November 2015


  • Date and Place of Detention: 11 November 2015, Shoreham.
  • Vessel Name: UNITED OCEAN
  • GT: 3806
  • IMO No: 9071052
  • Flag: BOLIVIA (Not Listed)
  • Company: Premier Shipping & Trading SA
  • Classification Society: Germanischer Lloyd (GL)
  • Recognised Organisation: GL / Guardian Bureau of Shipping (GBS)
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: Guardian Bureau of Shipping (GBS)
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: Guardian Bureau of Shipping (GBS)
  • Summary: twenty-two deficiencies with four grounds for detention
Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
01308 - Records of seafarers’ daily hours of work or rest Incorrect entries  
03102 - Freeboard marks Not properly marked  
03199 - Other (load lines) Other  
04103 - Emergency, lighting, batteries and switches Not as required Y
04103 - Emergency, lighting, batteries and switches Not as required  
04104 - Emergency source of power - Emergency generator Not as required Y
04106 - Emergency steering position com./ compass reading Inoperative  
07106 - Fire detection and alarm system Missing  
07116 - Ventilation Not as required  
10103 - Radar Inoperative Y
10105 - Magnetic compass Not readable  
10106 - Compass correction log Not as required  
10111 - Charts Not updated  
10127 - Voyage or passage plan Lack of information  
10129 - Navigation records Not as required  
10138 - BNWAS Inadequate  
11103 - Stowage and provision of Lifeboats Not as required  
11117 - Lifebuoys incl. provision and disposition Not ready for use  
15150 - ISM Not as required Y
18311 - Messroom and recreational facilities Not as required  
18313 - Cleanliness Not hygienic  
18314 - Provisions quantity Insufficient    

This vessel was still detained at 30 November 2015.


  • Date and Place of Detention: 16 November 2015, Newport (Gwent).
  • Vessel Name: FEDERAL YOSHINO
  • GT: 19125
  • IMO No: 9218416
  • Flag: MARSHALL ISLANDS (White List)
  • Company: Intership Navigation Inc.
  • Classification Society: DNV
  • Recognised Organisation: DNV / DNV GL AS
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: DNV GL AS
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: DNV GL AS
  • Summary: six deficiencies with two grounds for detention
Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
02199 - Other (Structural conditions) Other Y
02119 - Enhanced survey programme (ESP) Documentation missing  
18410 - Gas instruments Missing equipment  
04108 - Muster list Lack of familiarity  
11131 - On board training and instructions Missing instructions  
15150 - ISM Not as required Y

This vessel was released on 20 November 2015.


DETENTIONS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS MONTHS

  • Date and Place of Detention: 26 January 2015, Liverpool Dock, Liverpool.
  • Vessel Name: DORIS T
  • GT: 1973
  • IMO No: 7626748
  • Flag: ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (White List)
  • Company: Interscan Schiffahrt-SG Esillschaft, Hamburg.
  • Classification Society: Bureau Veritas (BV)
  • Recognised Organisation: BV / GL
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: GL
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: BV
  • Summary: eighteen deficiencies with six grounds for detention
Defective item Nature of defect Ground for Detention
03108 - Ventilators, air pipes, casings Not properly maintained  
03108 - Ventilators, air pipes, casings Not properly maintained  
13108 - Operation of machinery Lack of familiarity  
11101 - Lifeboats Not properly maintained  
10111 - Charts Expired Y
10127 - Voyage or passage plan Not as required Y
11101 - Lifeboats Not properly maintained  
10199 - Other (navigation) Other  
01308 - Records of seafarers’ daily hours of work or rest Incorrect entries  
11117 - Lifebuoys incl. provision and disposition Not as required  
01138 - International Energy Efficiency Certificate Missing  
02111 - Beams, frames, floors-corrosion Corroded Y
02111 - Beams, frames, floors-corrosion Corroded Y
02113 - Hull - cracking Not as required Y
07109 - Fixed fire extinguishing installation Not as required  
18418 - Winches & capstans Not properly maintained  
15150 - ISM Not as required Y
01138 - International Energy Efficiency Certificate Missing  

This vessel was still detained on 30 November 2015.


  • Date and Place of detention: 4 March 2010, Lowestoft
  • Vessel Name: CIEN PORCIENTO (General Cargo)
  • GT: 106
  • IMO No: 8944446
  • Flag: Unregistered
  • Company: Open Window Inc
  • Classification Society: Unclassed
  • Recognised Organisation: Not applicable
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: Not applicable
  • Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: Not applicable
  • Summary: Thirty deficiencies including seven grounds for detention

This vessel was still detained on 30 November 2015.


Notes to Editors

  • The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector.

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For further information please contact Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on: (023) 8032 9401 Press releases and further information about the Agency is available on the Web at the MCA page on GOV.UK

Updates to this page

Published 16 December 2015