Introduction
1 A flag State conducting a self-assessment exercise should adopt a holistic approach,
meaning a generality which may be used by any flag State, irrespective of the
composition of its fleet, and such a holistic approach should lead to a balanced overall
picture of the performance of that State, catering for its particular characteristics.
The goal of the flag State should be to have a fleet with a good safety record which
causes minimal damage to the marine environment.
Criteria
2 The following are the criteria which permit the goal defined above to be attained:
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.1 Legal framework and means of promulgating maritime legislation which should
satisfy the international maritime obligations of the State.
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.2 Ability to demonstrate that full and complete effect is being given to
instruments in force to which the flag State is a Party.
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.3 Enforcement of maritime legislation.
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.4 Responsibility for any recognized organization (RO) acting on behalf of the
Administration, including authorization and monitoring of, and any corrective
action against, the RO.
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.5 Ability to investigate the causes of personal injuries, non-compliance,
casualties, and pollution incidents, and ability to take appropriate remedial
action.
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.6 Ability to ensure that a ship having joined its register does not operate
unless it complies with applicable requirements.
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.7 Ability to demonstrate that a policy is in place to promote a safety and
environmentally-minded working culture at all times.
Performance indicators
3 Performance indicators are needed in order to obtain results demonstrating whether or
not the criteria listed in paragraph 2 above have been fulfilled, and should be
perceived as general areas of performance which provide objective information that can
be analysed. An analysis of the information associated with the performance indicators
should be undertaken in an effort to identify trends and common factors. On this basis,
the following performance indicators should be analysed against each of the above
criteria:
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.1 Accidents, casualties and incidents reportable to the Organization in terms of
the requirements of the applicable conventions.
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.2 Accidents involving personal injuries leading to absence from duty of 3 days
or more on board ships flying the flag of the State concerned.
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.3 Lives lost on ships flying its flag resulting from the operation of those
ships.
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.4 Ships lost.
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.5 Pollution incidents as defined by the reporting standards of MARPOL
73/78 and other applicable instruments, as appropriate, including a
measure of the seriousness of the incidents.
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.6 Information provided by other States under port State control procedures in
accordance with the applicable conventions.
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.7 Information provided by statutory surveys, audits and inspections carried out
by, on behalf of and at the request of the flag State.
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.8 Compliance with the requirements of mandatory instruments, concerning
communication of information, including the serious and very serious incidents
reportable to the Organization.
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.9 Action taken against ships flying the flag of the State which have been
identified as not being in compliance with the requirements of mandatory
instruments, and the effects of such action.