In a Port State Control Inspection Clear Grounds are evidences that the ship, its equipment, or its crew does not correspond substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety of ships or the prevention of pollution. Examples of clear grounds are as follows -

1. the absence of principal equipment or arrangements required by the conventions;

2. evidence from a review of the ship's certificates that a certificate or certificates are clearly
invalid;

3. evidence that the ship's logs, manuals or other required documentation are not on board, are
not maintained, or are falsely maintained;

4. evidence from the PSCO's general impressions and observations that serious hull or structural
deterioration or deficiencies exist that may place at risk the structural, watertight or
weathertight integrity of the ship;

5. evidence from the PSCO's general impressions or observations that serious deficiencies exist
in the safety, pollution prevention, or navigational equipment;

6. information or evidence that the master or crew is not familiar with essential shipboard
operations relating to the safety of ships or the prevention of pollution, or that such operations
have not been carried out;

7. indications that key crew members may not be able to communicate with each other or with
other persons on board;

8. absence of an up-to-date muster list, fire control plan, and for passenger ships, a damage
control plan;

9. the emission of false distress alerts not followed by proper cancellation procedures;

10. receipt of a report or complaint containing information that a ship appears to be substandard.