QUALSHIP 21
Frequently Asked Questions
What is QUALSHIP 21?
Coast Guard efforts to eliminate substandard shipping have focused on improving methods to identify poor-quality vessels (targeting schemes). However, regardless of the score that a vessel receives in our targeting matrix, all foreign-flagged vessels are examined no less than once each year. This provides few incentives for the well run quality ship. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of vessels are operated responsibly, and are typically found with few or no deficiencies. Under our current policies, these vessels are boarded at similar intervals as vessels that aren't operated responsibly. These quality vessels should be recognized and rewarded for their commitment to safety and quality. Therefore, on January 1, 2001, the Coast Guard will implement an initiative to identify high-quality ships, and provide incentives to encourage quality operations. This initiative is called Qualship 21, quality shipping for the 21st century.
What are the eligibility criteria?
By closely examining Port State Control data from the previous 3 years, the characteristics of a typical "quality" vessel were identified. A quality vessel is associated with a well-run company, is classed by an organization with a quality track record, is registered with a Flag State with a superior Port State Control record, and has an outstanding Port State Control history in U.S. waters. Using these general criteria, approximately 10% of the foreign-flagged vessels that call in the U.S. qualify for this initiative (the specific Qualship 21 eligibility criteria is described below). Qualship 21 will initially apply to foreign-flagged vessels. Lessons learned from this initiative will be used to develop an initiative for the U.S. flagged fleet.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. The vessel may not have been detained, and determined to be substandard, in U.S. waters within the previous 36 months. The initial screening will consider substandard vessel detentions between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2000;
2. The vessel may not have any marine violations, no more than I paid Notice of Violation cases (tickets), and no reportable marine casualties that meet the definition of a serious marine incident (46CFR4.03-2) or major marine casualty (46CFR4.40), in U.S. waters within the previous 36 months. Casualty reports of crewmember or passenger injuries that are not in conjunction with any other criteria of a serious marine incident or major marine casualty will not be considered. For the purpose of this initiative, a marine violation is any violation of a law, regulation, or order that is enforced by the Coast Guard, and results in a final assessed monetary civil penalty by a hearing officer, or a judgment by the U.S. attorney in a criminal proceeding;
