Port State control
Article 23
1. Irrespective of the flag it flies, each ship, with the exception of those types of ships excluded by Article 1, shall, while in the ports of a Member State, be subject to port State control by officers duly authorised by that Member State to verify that all seafarers serving on board who are required to hold a certificate of competency and/or a certificate of proficiency and/or documentary evidence under the STCW Convention, hold such a certificate of competency or a valid dispensation and/or certificate of proficiency and/or documentary evidence. 2. When exercising port State control under this Directive, Member States shall ensure that all relevant provisions and procedures laid down in Directive 2009/16/EC are applied.