Produced by the Department of Transportation and the United States Coast Guard, this circa 1972 ‘“Port Safety — Vessel Inspection” training film covers the proper procedure for the captain of the port inspection of vessels carrying dangerous cargo.
As the film opens, the viewer is reminded that a system of safe ports is vital to the prosperity of the United States, with the USCG responsible for overseeing that safety and the captain of port ultimately held accountable for proper enforcement within their respective area. To assist this officer, captain of the port inspectors are called upon for code enforcement, the viewer is told near mark 01:00. Specific sections from the Code of Federal Regulations are identified at great length so that the original intended audience of this film could refer to them if necessary, as inspectors are required to know all the intricate details of the job.
Mark 02:30 starts us on a journey with two inspectors as they board a cargo vessel (SS Lykesun) to begin their inspection. The film discussing proper protocol for introduction to crew members and a discussion of the proper vessel inspection form (CG-4393), painstaking going over each box on the form and explaining to the viewer all necessary information to complete, including whether any dangerous cargo is aboard and whether the vessel has ever been in violation of an USCG regulations in prior visits.
While paperwork is being completed below deck, the second inspector is shown topside at mark 08:25 completing his own checklist, including whether there are any violations and whether those violations were immediately corrected. Among the items on the checklist, shown in a tight frame at mark 09:35, is whether a “responsible person” was supervising the handling of any danger cargo, whether “No Smoking” signs were properly posted, and whether all cargo was properly stored.
With cargo ships addressed, the film then addresses inspection protocol for tanker or barge inspection, beginning at mark 12:17, with particular attention drawn to specific amendments and sections in the Cord of Federal Regulations handbook. Once again, this film discusses proper protocol for introduction of inspectors to crew members and a discussion of the proper vessel inspection form (CG-4393A). Again, for several minutes, the viewer is given a painstakingly thorough review of each box on the form, including proper size and placement of warning signs for any hazardous material and cargo information cards detailing the type of cargo being carried.
“This item by item discussion … is intended only to acquaint captain of the port inspectors with the basic procedures of good inspection. For specific requirements of the checklist items inspectors must rely on Title 46 CFR … and have a working knowledge of these texts,” the viewer is reminded in the closing minute.
