CCS Regulatory Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act) prohibit foreign-flagged cruise ships from doing in US waters?
- Carrying passengers between two US ports without stopping at a foreign port (Correct answer)
- Operating without a US Coast Guard inspection
- Accepting US dollar payments onboard
- Employing US citizens as crew members
Correct answer: Carrying passengers between two US ports without stopping at a foreign port
The PVSA (also known as the Jones Act for passengers) prohibits foreign-flagged vessels from transporting passengers between two US ports without an intervening foreign port call.
Question 2: Under the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), what score out of 100 is the minimum passing threshold for cruise ships calling on US ports?
- 75
- 80
- 85
- 86 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 86
The CDC VSP considers a score of 86 or higher as satisfactory; ships scoring below 86 are considered to have failed inspection.
Question 3: Which international convention establishes minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships, including cruise vessels?
- MARPOL
- STCW
- SOLAS (Correct answer)
- ISM Code
Correct answer: SOLAS
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), adopted by the IMO, is the primary international treaty covering safety standards for ships including cruise vessels.
Question 4: A cruise line operating ships under the Bahamas flag must comply with port state control inspections when calling on US ports. Who conducts these inspections in the United States?
- Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)
- US Coast Guard (USCG) (Correct answer)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Bureau of Consular Affairs
Correct answer: US Coast Guard (USCG)
The US Coast Guard conducts Port State Control inspections of foreign-flagged vessels, including cruise ships, calling at US ports to verify compliance with international safety standards.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code)?
- Regulate environmental discharges from ships
- Establish a framework for detecting and deterring security threats to ships and ports (Correct answer)
- Set crew rest and working hour requirements
- Define passenger rights in cases of ship delays
Correct answer: Establish a framework for detecting and deterring security threats to ships and ports
The ISPS Code, adopted after 9/11, provides a standardized framework for evaluating security risks and implementing protective measures for ships and port facilities.
Question 6: Under US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements, cruise passengers returning to the US must complete which document to declare goods purchased abroad?
- Form I-94
- CBP Form 6059B (Customs Declaration) (Correct answer)
- DS-11 Passport Application
- Form I-539
Correct answer: CBP Form 6059B (Customs Declaration)
CBP Form 6059B is the Customs Declaration form that returning cruise passengers must complete to declare items purchased or acquired abroad.
Question 7: Which regulation requires cruise lines to provide passengers with specific safety information and conduct a mandatory muster drill before or shortly after departure?
- MARPOL Annex IV
- SOLAS Chapter III (Correct answer)
- STCW Convention
- ISM Code Section 8
Correct answer: SOLAS Chapter III
SOLAS Chapter III (Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements) mandates safety briefings and muster drills to ensure passengers know emergency procedures.
CCS Regulatory Compliance 2
What does the PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act) prohibit foreign-flagged cruise ships from doing in US waters?