Ship sanitation inspections

It is important that we protect public health and minimise the risks from commercial shipping. We are authorised to carry out checks on ships and issue Ship Sanitation and Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificates.

To request this service please email shipsanitations@great-yarmouth.gov.uk giving us as much notice as possible. We will then contact you to confirm a date and time.

Reminder: all vessels entering the port are required to complete a Maritime Declaration of Health before entering. Please email shipsanitations@great-yarmouth.gov.uk in advance.

Ship sanitation certificates are designed to prevent international vessels from causing a public health risk. If requested, we will carry out an inspection of a ship to assess whether standards on board meet World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance  The inspection covers all areas of ship borne public health risks including vector control, potable and ballast water and food safety controls.

If the ship inspection is satisfactory, a Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) will be issued. If public health risks are found on board, a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) will be issued with notes about the control measures or corrective actions required and expected timeframe.

Ship sanitation certificates are valid for six months. At the end of that period, all ships on international voyages are required to request a new certificate and a full inspection of all areas of the ship will be carried out.

The following charges include an inspection and the issuing of a certificate. Extra charges may be added for expenses incurred such as:

• launch hire
• out-of-hours work
• travel