If a Regulated Australian Vessel issued with a SMC is detained at an overseas port as a result of serious PSC deficiencies or major ISM non-conformities, the company operating the detained ship should contact the responsible recognised organisation and AMSA to request assistance. This will normally require an additional shipboard verification audit prior to departure.

If the detained ship is in a remote overseas port and the recognised organisation is unable to attend, the recognised organisation following consultation with AMSA  may request the detaining PSC authority to consider release of the ship with all appropriate hardware deficiencies rectified to the satisfaction of the PSC authority. An additional audit shall be conducted at the next available port.