11.—(1) The Secretary of State may, at the request of a government of a country which is party to SOLAS audit the safety management system of—
(a)a ship registered in that country; and
(b)the ISM company.
(2) Where, having carried out an audit in response to such a request, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the requirements of the ISM Code are met, the Secretary of State may issue to the ISM company a Document of Compliance or a Safety Management Certificate, or, where appropriate, endorse such a document in accordance with the requirements of SOLAS after annual or intermediate audits.
(3) Where the Secretary of State issues or endorses a document in accordance with such a request, the Secretary of State must insert in that document a statement recording the fact.
(4) A document issued or endorsed in accordance with such a request has the same effect as if it had been issued or endorsed by the government which made the request and not by the Secretary of State.