Brazilian experience in the emission of the ship sanitation control exemption certificate / ship sanitation control certificate for vessels in transit through the country, according to the international sanitation regulations (2005)

The National Sanitary Vigilance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA) is the federal institution responsible for the regulation and execution of sanitation actions at Brazilian ports, airports and borders. Sanitation actions in Brazil are oriented by the International Sanitation Regulations (ISR) and to implant the ISR (2005), Brazil altered inspection procedures at its ports in order to conform to the new international requirements. This work describes the principal sanitation problems identified in ships in transit along the Brazilian coastline, using as reference the data obtained during sanitation inspections for the emission of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption and Ship Sanitation Control Certificates realized by Santos Port sanitation authority, Santos, Brazil. The data analyzed comprised the sanitation evidence found at different points on the ships, such as the galley and pantry and treatment of potable water, residual water presence, ballast tanks, solid waste and medical facilities, among others. Of the requests for certification received up to May, 2008, 9.8% resulted in the emission of a SSCC, suggesting that many vessels in transit presented poor sanitation and confirmed the need for sanitation authority inspections. The principal problems identified occurred in the potable water treatment system (62.5%), revealing failures in chlorination or UV light purification; and in hygiene/sanitation conditions in areas of food manipulation and storage (50%), with poorly maintained equipment and inadequate storage. Problems were also identified in sewage tank functioning (25%); solid residue removal (25%) and maintenance of adequate medical services (25%). In light of these results, the ISR (2005) should instigate greater control in disease dissemination; however, the changes sought, including in Brazilian legislation, which will result in the modification of the sanitation procedures and the influences of such changes will only be felt in the long-term.