1The rule in plain words
In one sentence…
COLREG requires every Contracting Party to face periodic audits verifying compliance with and implementation of the Convention.
Who is audited?
Every Contracting Party is subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with the audit standard, to verify compliance with and implementation of the Convention.
Who runs the scheme?
The Secretary-General of the Organization administers the Audit Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
What must each Party do, and how are audits organised?
It must facilitate the audit and implement a programme of actions to address the findings. Audits of all Parties are based on an overall schedule developed by the Secretary-General and occur at periodic intervals, taking the Organization's guidelines into account.
2Key points
- 1.
Audit standard · basis for checking compliance and implementation.
- 2.
Secretary-General → administers the Audit Scheme.
- 3.
Each Party → facilitates the audit and addresses its findings.
- 4.
Overall schedule + periodic intervals · with the Organization's guidelines.
3Frequent mistakes
Wrong: "Audits are voluntary for each Contracting Party."
Right: Every Contracting Party is subject to periodic audits by the Organization.
Wrong: "The Secretary-General personally conducts every audit."
Right: The Secretary-General administers the Scheme; each Party facilitates the audit and addresses its findings.
Wrong: "An audit happens whenever convenient, without a common schedule."
Right: It is based on an overall schedule and conducted at periodic intervals.
4Exam keys & interpretation
Exam keys
"Administering the Scheme" does not mean conducting every audit: separate the Secretary-General's role from each Party's.
"Programme of actions" means addressing audit findings; it is each Contracting Party's responsibility.
In paragraph (d), look for both an overall schedule and periodic intervals, taking the Organization's guidelines into account.
How to read it
Read "audit" as checking compliance and implementation; it does not remove each Party's responsibilities.
An overall schedule and periodic intervals describe planned oversight, not a one-off audit.
5Official text
IMO COLREG 1972International Maritime Organization — Resolution A.1085(28)
Full wording of the rule, reproduced from the official source below.
(a) Every Contracting Party shall be subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with the audit standard to verify compliance with and implementation of the present Convention.
(b) The Secretary-General of the Organization shall have responsibility for administering the Audit Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(c) Every Contracting Party shall have responsibility for facilitating the conduct of the audit and implementation of a programme of actions to address the findings, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(d) Audit of all Contracting Parties shall be:
(i) based on an overall schedule developed by the Secretary-General of the Organization, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization; and
(ii) conducted at periodic intervals, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.6Test your knowledge
Who is subject to periodic audits?
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