The checks revealed numerous deficiencies, some of which were classified as serious in terms of the minimum habitability standards for the crew.

The Genoa Coast Guard has announced the administrative detention of the Vast Coral, ( The vessel arrived at the port of Genova, Italy on Mar 17, 06:41 UTC  ) sailing under a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, as part of Port State Control's efforts to ensure compliance with navigation safety requirements. This is the third detention order issued against a merchant vessel since the beginning of the year.

The tanker, which had been in service for nearly 14 years and had a gross tonnage of over 11,000 tons, underwent an 'extended' inspection. This was required by Legislative Decree 53/2011, the law implementing the relevant EU Directives, to verify its compliance with European safety standards.

A statement

A statement released by the Coast Guard explains that the inspection covered all areas of the ship, from the bridge to the engine room and including the crew quarters and external decks. A fire drill was also carried out during the inspection to assess the level of training of the personnel.

A number of deficiencies

The inspections revealed a number of deficiencies, some of which were classified as serious. As a result, the vessel was detained immediately. Specifically, critical issues were found relating to the maintenance and proper functioning of the lifesaving equipment, minimum standards of shipboard habitability for the crew and minimum levels of emergency preparedness among the onboard personnel .The Vast Coral (IMO 9392999, MMSI 538012256)  will only be permitted to resume navigation once all the identified deficiencies have been corrected and it has passed a new release inspection by the PSC team.

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Programmes of inspection

The Port Authority of Genova emphasises that "Inspections, such as the one conducted recently, are conducted by personnel who are highly qualified, having undergone training through a demanding national and international programme. This specialisation guarantees the professional and rigorous application of regulations to ensure safe maritime transport, environmental protection and decent living conditions for crews, who perform the demanding work of seafarers."

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About : The Genoa Coast Guard 

The Genoa Coast Guard (Capitaneria di Porto di Genova) is a critical maritime authority operating within the Italian Coast Guard (Guardia Costiera), responsible for safety, security, and environmental protection in one of Europe’s largest ports. They handle vessel traffic control, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Port State Control inspections

About :The Port of Genoa 

The Port of Genoa is Italy's busiest seaport in terms of cargo tonnage and a vital maritime hub in the Mediterranean Sea, located in the Ligurian Sea. It acts as a primary gateway for industrial Northern Italy and Central Europe, managing over 69 million tons of cargo and 4.2 million passengers annually across 21 terminals.

Source : Shipping Italy 

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