Ship sanitation
You will need to provide the date and time of arrival and departure and the location of the vessel.
You must also provide the following documents prior to the visit being undertaken. If water sampling is required, we will require at least 5 working days' notice to arrange with the laboratory. Samples will incur an extra charge, dependant on which samples are taken. Please email the port health office at porthealth@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk for costing of the samples.
The following information will need to be sent before the inspection can be undertaken:
- The last set of microbiological water results
- Medical log
- Garbage log
- Master handover log
- Medicine and narcotics list
- Food safety management system
- Ballast log
- Port Waste Notification
- A copy of the last SSCC (ship sanitation control certificate)
- ISPS (international Ship Port Security Notification)
Ship sanitation control and exemption certificates
Newhaven Port Health Authority has been authorised to issue ship sanitation control and exemption certificates.
If the inspection reveals no evidence of a risk to public health, a ship sanitation exemption certificate will be issued which will be valid for 6 months. With the option to extend by one month if requested in writing.
Should any public health risks be identified, rodent infestations or inadequate sanitation, a ship sanitation control certificate will be issued.
We will conduct the inspection as soon as possible after you contact the port health office.
An inspection usually takes between one and two hours, but this is dependant on the size of the vessel. Samples will incur an extra charge, dependant on which samples are taken.
Granting of quarantine clearance (pratique)
Health officials may grant quarantine clearance (pratique) provided the following are true:
- The Advance Notice of Arrival form is received within the prescribed time
- A 'no change of health status' message is received within 12-24 hours of arrival
- The Medical Officer of Health or a Health Protection Officer is satisfied there is no quarantinable disease or other public health threat on board the ship
A ship with an illness on board that is not a quarantinable disease or does not constitute a grave danger to public health, will usually still be granted pratique. The Medical Officer of Health will liaise with the incoming vessel prior to arrival to determine whether any measures are required to manage potential public health risks.
Advice that pratique has been granted will be provided to the:
- Ship's Master
- Harbourmaster and/or pilot
- Customs Service
- MAF Quarantine Services
- Ship's agent
Approved ports and further information
Approved ports
You can view a list of approved ports that can issue ship sanitation certificates on the World Health Organisation (WHO)
Further information about ship sanitation certificates
Ship sanitation charges
You can find our ship sanitation charges for 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 our Port health authority fees and charges page.
Legal information about the regulations
The Public Health (Ships) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007 came into force on 15th June 2007.
These regulations implement the requirement of the International Health Regulations 2005.
Share this page
