200510 Port Paperwork

Port Paperwork
MARS Report 200510

I am a Third Officer and assist the Master with the port paper work and in dealing with the authorities (Customs, Immigration, Port Health). Quite often we go to some countries where dealing with the above mentioned authorities becomes a nightmare for the Master. Each and every word on the vessel's port papers is checked to find any flaws, so as to be able to impose exorbitant fines or to demand extra 'mementos' (i.e. whisky, beer, cigarettes, soft drinks to name a few). I am sure that the port authorities in these countries are not entirely unaware of these malpractices taking place.

Recently, on a visit to a port in south-east Japan, the Master was provided with a form by the port authority. They requested that he provide information about any problems faced by the vessel during it's stay in the port, if the cargo operations were smooth and efficient and if the port operations were up to the required standard. They also emphasised that all this information would be kept strictly confidential, the completed form could be handed over to the last outwards sea pilot and it would not affect the vessel/owner in any possible manner. It was only intended to help them in improving port operations and for giving better service.

Don't you think, the port authorities of other countries should take a cue from this as well and not just turn a blind eye towards the harassment caused to visiting vessels in some countries.

BIMCO have taken steps to address these sort of problems as described in the feature pages 14 and 15 in the December 2004 issue of SEAWAYS. RB