1.

State the difference between a Ship Sanitation Certificate and a Ship Sanitation
exemption certificate.

Accordingly, the IHR 2005 provide for ships engaged in international journeys to be issued
with:
1. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates (where the public health authorities
have inspected a ship and found no evidence of infection or contamination, or of
vectors or reservoirs of infection and contamination or of microbiological, chemical
and other risks to human health, or signs of inadequate sanitary measures); or with

2. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates (where the Public Health Authorities are satisfied
that procedures necessary to rid the ship of infection, contamination and/or their
vectors/reservoirs have been effectively carried out).

2. Describe the functions and responsibilities of the competent authority and the ship
operator under IHR in relation with the issuance of the sanitation certificate.

The competent authority may issue a Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate at
any port specified under Article 20 if it is satisfied that the ship is free of infection and
contamination, including vectors and reservoirs. Such a certificate shall normally be
issued only if the inspection of the ship has been carried out when the ship and holds
are empty or when they contain only ballast or other material, of such a nature or so
disposed as to make a thorough inspection of the holds possible.
If the conditions under which control measures are carried out are such that, in the
opinion of the competent authority for the port where the operation was performed, a
satisfactory result cannot be obtained, the competent authority shall make a note to
that effect on the Ship Sanitation Control Certificate.

Under the IHR, conveyance operators shall facilitate:

a) inspection of the cargo, containers and conveyance
b) medical examinations of persons on board
c) application of other health measures under IHR provisions
d) provision of relevant public health information requested by the State Party,
including the Maritime Declaration of Health

Under the IHR, the competent authority may require the application of appropriate
control measures (disinfection, decontamination, disinsection, deratting) if evidence of
a public health risk or clinical signs/symptoms/related information is found on board.

The competent authority may implement additional appropriate measures, including

isolation of the ship, as necessary to prevent the spread of disease.

The master must supply public health information required by the competent authority
as to health conditions on board during the international voyage.

The ship operator must facilitate inspections and sanitary measures.

3. List the information in relation to the fumigants that must be provided to the Master of
a vessel in writing prior fumigation.

The four main information are:

i The types of fumigant used.
ii The hazards
iii The TLV
iv Precautions to be taken

4. State the precautions to be observed when fumigating empty cargo spaces at anchorage.

The precautions to be observed when fumigating empty cargo spaces at anchorage are:

i Prior to the application of fumigants to cargo spaces, the crew should be landed and
remain ashore until the ship is certified ‘gas-free’ in writing by the fumigator-in-
charge or other authorized person;
ii During this period, a watchman should be posted to prevent unauthorized boarding or
entry, and warning signs should be prominently displayed at gangways and at
entrances to accommodation;
iii The fumigator-in-charge should be retained throughout the fumigation period and
until such time as the ship is declared gas-free;
iv At the end of the fumigation period the fumigator will take the necessary action to
ensure that the fumigant is dispersed;
v If crew members are required to assist in such actions, for example in opening
hatches, they should be provided with adequate respiratory protection and adhere
strictly to instructions given by the fumigator-in-charge;
vi The fumigator-in-charge should monitor and notify the master in writing of any spaces
determined to be safe for re-entry, ensuring that the TLV of the fumigant is not
exceeded;
vii No unauthorized persons should be allowed on board until all parts of the ship have
been determined gas-free, warning signs removed and clearance certificates issued by
the fumigator-in-charge;
viii Entry into a space under fumigation should never be allowed except in the event of an
extreme emergency and using protective gears;

The vessel should not be permitted to leave port (anchorage) until a gas-free certificate
has been received from the fumigator-in-charge.
5. Grain being loaded aboard a bulk carrier is determined to be infested. A certified
fumigator is called to determine vessel’s suitability for in-transit fumigation. Describe the
necessary precautions to be observed.

Subject to prior written approval being received by from the flag administration of the
ship, In-Transit fumigation of grain cargoes may be permitted for bulk carriers and under
the following conditions: -

a. A "Fumigator in Charge" shall be designated and employed by the Fumigation

Company, who shall provide written instruction in language readily understood by the
Master on the type of fumigant to be used, the hazards involved and the precautions to
be taken;

b. Prior to fumigation, before loading commences and preferably whilst the holds are
empty, and inspection shall be made by the fumigator-in-charge and the Master, to
determine that the hold (s) to be treated can be made sufficiently tight to prevent the
seepage of fumigant gas to accommodation and working spaces;

c. The fumigator-in-charge shall furnish to both the Master , a written statement attesting
to the result of the inspection and detailing the type and quantity of fumigant to be
used in each compartment;
d. Fumigation of the cargo shall not commence until all cargo operations have been
completed and all personnel, except the fumigators and those concerned with actual
sailing of the vessel, have finally left the ship;

e. Following completion of the application of the fumigant and depending upon the
fumigant being used when holds adjacent to accommodation are to be fumigated
without aeration before sailing, either;

i. The ship's departure shall be delayed for a minimum of 24 hours to permit

monitoring for possible gas leakage. The Master shall further delay sailing
until safe conditions exist should significant seepage be detected; or
ii. An experienced fumigation operator shall remain on board whilst the ship
remains on board to regularly check and rectify and gas leakage.

Every ship undergoing "IN-Transit fumigation" shall be equipped with at least two
sets of self contained breathing apparatus having a positive pressure mode together
with two safety harnesses and tow lifelines, and the fumigator shall supply the ship
with at least two gas detection devices appropriate for the fumigant used. Where these
devices require re-arming after use, sufficient spares shall be provided to permit
regular monitoring of each accommodation deck and manned working space at least 3
times daily for the projected period of the voyage;

f. During the fumigation all entrances, to these spaces shall be posted with conspicuous
"Poison Gas" warnings which have been signed and dated by the fumigator;

g. Prior to final departure from the ship, the fumigator shall furnish the master with a
certificate stating that all living and working spaces are gas free.
h. During the voyage monitoring for gas concentrations shall take place at intervals not
exceeding 3 hours or such lesser period as may be recommended by the fumigator;

i. Except in case of emergency sealed hatches shall not be opened or entered at sea.
Where entry is imperative, at least two persons, each wearing positive pressure mode
breathing apparatus, safety harness and lifelines individually tended by a person
outside the space, shall enter together;

j. When for any reason it is deemed essential to ventilate hold (s) under fumigation in
transit, particular care must be paid that fumigant dispersed from the hold (s) does not
accumulate in habited spaces. Should gas concentrations be detected in such areas,
they should immediately be evacuated, and ventilated and the holds resealed. It should
not be assumed that a hold resealed after ventilation/aeration is gas free. Tests shall be
made and appropriate precautions observed before entering;

k. In ports only mechanical discharge of these fumigated cargoes should be permitted

and due recognition shall be made of the permeability and retention of the gas within
the cargo mass;

The Competent Authority of the ports at which the vessel is to call or discharge shall be
notified that an in-transit fumigation has been carried out.
6. State and describe the precautions and the procedures to be followed when fumigating
empty cargo spaces at anchorage.

1. All fumigation, must, however, be approved by the Commissioner of Public Health,

Ministry of Environment as required under the Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation)
Regulations.

2. Fumigation of vessels is not permitted during hours of darkness. As a general guide to

fumigation on board vessels the following precautions should be taken:-

2.1 Prior to commencing any fumigation, the master or person-in-charge of the vessel
of the vessel shall ensure that:
i. all unauthorised personnel are kept clear and away from the
risk areas;
ii. the vessel is properly moored and the appropriate lights and
shapes required under the Collision Regulations exhibited; and
iii. warning notices are posted conspicuously to warn people of
the risk areas and at the gangway.
2.2 Prior to commencing any fumigation, the persons undertaking the fumigation
shall:-
i. provide the master or person-in-charge of the vessel with details of the
fumigation
ii. ensure that all persons engaged for the fumigation are
knowledgeable and conversant with safe practices in respect of
fumigation on board vessels.

3. "Fumigator in Charge" shall be designated and employed by the Fumigation

Company, who shall provide written instruction in language readily understood by the
Master on the type of fumigant to be used, the hazards involved and the precautions to
be taken;

4. Prior to fumigation, before loading commences and preferably whilst the holds are
empty, and inspection shall be made by the fumigator-in-charge and the Master, to
determine that the hold (s) to be treated can be made sufficiently tight to prevent the
seepage of fumigant gas to accommodation and working spaces;

5. The fumigator-in-charge shall furnish to both the Master , a written statement attesting
to the result of the inspection and detailing the type and quantity of fumigant to be
used in each compartment;
6. Fumigation of the cargo shall not commence until all cargo operations have been
completed and all personnel, except the fumigators and those concerned with actual
sailing of the vessel, have finally left the ship;
 Prior to commencing any fumigation, the master or person-in-charge of the vessel of the
vessel shall ensure that:
• all unauthorised personnel are kept clear and away from the risk areas;
• the vessel is properly moored and the appropriate lights and shapes required under the
Collision Regulations exhibited; and
warning notices are posted conspicuously to warn people of the risk areas and at the
gangway.

During fumigation the owner, agent or master of the vessel and the persons carrying out
the fumigation must ensure that :-
 the appropriate signals for a vessel undergoing fumigation are displayed, ie the
international code flag "V" displayed above the international code flag "E" in a
vertical line where it can best be seen.
 During periods of poor visibility 2 all-round red lights shall be displayed in a
horizontal line where it can best be seen and spaced not less than 2 metres apart.
 After application of fumigants
 Ship should be delayed
 To such a period as to allow the gas in the fumigated cargo space to reach sufficiently
high concentrations to detect any possible leakage.
 If leakage is detected, ship should not sail until the leaks is rectified
After ascertaining that the ship is safe, the FIC should furnish the Master with a written
statement:
• Gas in cargo space has reached sufficiently high concentrations to detect any possible
leakage
• Space adjacent to the treated cargo space have been checked and found gas free
• Ship’s rep is fully conversant with the use of gas detection equipment
OR
After application of fumigants
• FIC to remain on board
• For such a period as to allow the gas to reach sufficiently high concentrations to detect
any leak or until the fumigated cargo is discharged.
• Prior to his leaving the ship, FIC to ensure that the ship is in safe conditions and
furnish the Master with a written statement

On applicant of the fumigant

• FIC to post warning signs

• Date & time of fumigations
• Identity of fumigants
At appropriate time after application of the fumigant.

The FIC accompanied by a crew should check the accommodation, engine room and other
working spaces remain free of the fumigants