Overview

The Inspection and Operation Standards division is responsible for the inspection of Canadian and foreign ships in Canadian waters and ports. The inspection program is divided into two regimes: the domestic one is known as Flag State Control and the international, as Port State Control.

Ship inspections are carried out at all major ports by ship inspectors of the Marine Safety Branch. An inspection database and list of detained ships are maintained by the headquarters group, which in turn feeds into international databases.

The Inspection and Operation Standards division provides day-to-day technical support and develops guidelines/instructions for the field inspectors. The division develops training modules and provides instructors for the National Port State Control Training Course and the Vessel Inspection Training Course.