What is the significance of a detention notice?

• A. It relates to crew certificates
• B. It means the ship cannot sail until all major deficiencies have been addressed and re-inspected
• C. It imposes a daily fine but allows sailing
• D. It is a temporary caution

Answer: (B)

In Port State Control, a detention notice is the formal order that a vessel must stay in port because inspectors have found major deficiencies that threaten safety, crew welfare, or the environment. The key point is that the ship cannot sail until those major deficiencies are corrected and a re-inspection confirms they’ve been addressed. This makes detention the most serious enforcement action inspectors can take, aimed at preventing unsafe operation on the next voyage.

Detention emphasizes that only after the ship is brought up to the required standards—through corrective work and a successful re-inspection—will the vessel be allowed to proceed. Minor deficiencies may be recorded and require remedy, but they do not by themselves stop a ship from sailing. A detention is not a daily fine, nor a temporary caution, and it isn’t specifically about crew certificates.