Croatia on top of flag state performance for

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000940

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ATRN ECON ELTN ETRD PREL PTER AFSI
SUBJECT: Croatia on top of flag state performance for
Coast Guard report

Ref: State 119265

1.Econoff and Naval Attach learned officials at the
Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development have
been keeping track of the performance and numbers of
violations of flag state vessels in US waters themselves,
but that they were unaware of the U.S Coast Guard's
annual Port State Control (PSC) Report.


2. Econoff and Naval Attach LCDR Graham Jackson met with
Assistant Minister Tomislav Miletic, PSC Officer Milan
Mimica and Stjepan Vuk, head of the department of Safety
of Navigation and Maritime Environment Protection
Authority to explain why Croatia remains on the PSC
report for 2005. Although fewer than 30 Croatian ships
have entered US waters over the past three years (the
e
report covers 2003-2005),two ships have been boarded and
detained, giving Croatia a higher than average detention
rate of 3.17 percent for safety violations.


3. Mimica said he notified all Croatian shipping
companies of Croatia's strict shipping security
regulations. He said the problems often arise from new
companies and the lack of influence by the GOC because
most ships never enter Croatia.


4. Mimica reported he already knew of another detention
in April 2006 in which a crewmember left his post at the
gangplank. Mimica said his office warned the shipping
company and the crewmember was dismissed. LCDR Jackson
explained this incident will not appear on the Coast
Guard's 2005 report but will be added to the next three-
year total (2004-2006) and Croatia will probably appear
on the 2006 report as well.


5. At Mimica's request, LCDR provided a copy of the Coast
Guard's 2004 report and contact information so the
ministry can keep track of inspections.

DELAWIE