In the 1970s, the CG began an effort to improve international standards to level the playing field between U.S. ships, which met strict domestic regulations, and foreign ships, which were required to meet relatively weak international standards. While IMO standards have improved, not all flag states have enforced these standards on their ships. By the late 1980s, the number of blatantly substandard ships entering our ports threatened our commerce and environment. To make best use of limited time and resources, the CG uses a boarding priority matrix to assign the highest priority to ships that present the greatest risk. The matrix is constructed around the past performance of each ship's flag state, classification society, operating company, ship type, and the ship's prior enforcement history.
Transparency is one of the program's main objectives.
When a substandard ship is detained, the CG makes details available on the internet to alert shippers to potential risks associated with shipping on the substandard vessel. The CG's port state control program is a world-class model that ensures substandard ships do not endanger U.S. waterways. Fully implement Qualship 21 initiative on foreign and U.S. flagged vessel to reward well-run, quality ships. Continue aggressive program targeting resources to the highest risk vessels.