Guidelines for flag State inspections. Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

The Guidelines for flag State inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), contained in this book are an important resource for implementing flag State responsibilities under the MLC, 2006. They were adopted by the ILO in September 2008 together with Guidelines for port State control officers carrying out inspections under the MLC, 2006. The present guidelines provide practical advice to competent authorities in flag States and to flag State inspectors, or recognized organizations, on how to carry out ship inspections and certifications to verify compliance with the requirements of the MLC, 2006 as implemented nationally. Chapter 1 contains an overview of the special features of the MLC 2006 and its key concepts. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the procedures for ship inspection and certification, including areas of national flexibility, and processes for responding to complaints. The main inspection tool is provided by Chapter 3, indicating the basic requirements to be complied with, a list of items showing how to check the basic requirements and examples of deficiencies, in connection with these requirements. Chapter 4 provides guidance on actions to be taken when deficiencies are found and when a ship may have to be detained.