The Coast Guard of Pozzallo (RG) has announced the detention of a merchant ship in the Sicilian port, following a complex inspection conducted by the Port State Control Unit. The detained ship, a bulk carrier flying a foreign flag, was subjected to a detention order and the imposition of a financial penalty.
The inspection activity, in line with the international agreement Paris MoU for the safety of navigation, uncovered a total of 18 regulatory violations. Of these, eight were classified as serious deficiencies related to the safety of navigation, prompting the Port Authority to block the naval unit. The irregularities found concerned specific aspects of on-board safety, equipment, and crew preparation.
Departure from the port of Pozzallo, the Coast Guard communicates, will be authorized only after the total elimination of all non-conformities and a subsequent verification inspection by the Psc Unit.
In addition to safety issues, the inspection identified a serious violation related to the on-board waste management cycle. A cross-check between the adopted procedures and the captain’s declarations revealed that untruthful information had been provided regarding the actual waste storage capacity. The infraction, which impacts environmental monitoring, resulted in the issuance of an administrative fine of over 3,000 euros, addressed to both the captain and the ship management company.
“The commitment of the Pozzallo Coast Guard, the note concludes, focuses particularly on ships deemed “sub-standard” – units that do not meet international conventions – as they represent a significant threat to safety at sea, the marine environment, and the living and working conditions of the crew on board”.
