Lowestoft Port Health Authority extends along 17km (27 miles) of coastline and 12 miles out to sea. Our Food and Safety Team undertakes port health functions and carries out ship sanitation inspections within the confines of the port.
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate/Ship Sanitation Control Certificate are issued by the Authority to identify and record all areas of ship-borne public health risks together with any required control measures to be applied.
The certificates as explained in para 2.4 of International Health Regulations (IHRs) 2005 are concerned with disease in a wider sense that encompasses both infection and contamination. Potentially a number of infectious diseases or kinds of contamination could be spread by ships. Accordingly the IHR's 2005 provide for ships engaged in international journeys to be issued with:
Lowestoft port is authorised to issue all four of the above certificates.
The charges for the certificates are reviewed by the Association of Port Health Authorities and it recommends a national rate to its members.
Certificate charges - 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Gross Tonnage | Current rate (2023/24) |
---|---|
Up to 1,000 | £125 |
1,001 - 3,000 | £170 |
3,001 - 10,000 | £250 |
10,001 - 20,000 | £325 |
20,001 - 30,000 | £415 |
Over 30,000 | £480 |
Vessels with 50 - 1000 persons | £480 |
Vessels with 1000 persons | £820 |
Extensions to Ship Sanitation Control Certificates | £95 |
Inspections are only carried out on vessels that have arrived at the port. We do not carry out ship sanitation inspections for ships at sea. Ship sanitation requests that have been booked with officers and cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will still be charged and invoiced at the full fee.
Please be aware 5 working days’ notice should be given when applying, in order for us to prepare the necessary paperwork and schedule the inspection.
In response to the current Coronavirus pandemic, Lowestoft Port Health Authority has made changes to the way that we carry out physical ship sanitation inspections to minimise the risks to both our staff and seafarers on board vessels. We will assess the ship’s documents and systems by electronic means beforehand to minimise the time that Port Health Officers spend on board vessels which will reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.
Should any crew members have symptoms of Covid-19 or test positive prior to the ship inspection the inspecting officer must be informed immediately by contacting 03330 162 000.
Prior to a physical ship sanitation inspection please upload copies of the following documents when you apply:
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate Request form
In addition to a physical ship sanitation, Lowestoft Port Health Authority also issue Ship Sanitation Extension Certificates. The extension will be valid for one month. You can apply for the extension as many times as needed whilst the current Coronavirus pandemic is ongoing.
In order to facilitate the certificate extension please upload copies of the following documents when you apply:
If the documentary check is satisfactory we will stamp the current Ship Sanitation Certificate with the extension stamp, sign it and date it as extended for 30 days. We will email a colour scan back to the vessel/shipping agent.
A Maritime Declaration of Health is the form used to provide such information. It covers:
This information ensures compliance with Article 37 of the International Health Regulations 2005.
A Maritime Declaration of Health must be completed by the Master of the vessel and countersigned by the ship's surgeon if one is carried. It should be delivered to the Medical Officer of Health or a health protection officer. In practice, completed Maritime Declarations of Health are sent to the vessel's agent for forwarding to health authorities, or given to a Customs Officer to forward.
Any illness reported on the Maritime Declaration of Health should have been declared on the Advance Notice of Arrival or the 'no change of health status' form.
Where an illness is reported, the Maritime Declaration of Health should be handed directly to a health protection officer or medical officer of health upon arrival, unless authorities advise otherwise.
Health officials may grant quarantine clearance (pratique) provided the following are true:
A ship with an illness on board that is not a quarantinable disease, or does not constitute a grave danger to public health, will usually still be granted pratique. The Medical Officer of Health will liaise with the incoming vessel prior to arrival to determine whether any measures are required to manage potential public health risks.
Advice that pratique has been granted will be provided to the:
East Suffolk Council does not offer potable water testing. If you need this service, please use an appropriate United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited laboratory or service. Further information from UKAS