Start with the essentials
Documents: certificates, crew records, rest hours and maintenance history.
Equipment: lifesaving, firefighting, navigation and pollution-prevention systems.
People: emergency duties, drills and familiarity with equipment.
Follow-up: previous deficiencies, repairs and checks on completed work.
Brief the ship and shore team
Agree who will provide documents, accompany the inspector and record findings. Raise outstanding defects with management before the inspection.
Confirm requirements with the relevant flag administration or PSC authority. Class surveys are a separate process coordinated with the vessel's classification society.
See the IMO overview of Port State Control.
