CLASSIFICATION AND SURVEY

  

 What is Classification?

•         Classification is a system for safeguarding life, property and the environment due to operational consequences

•         Classification implies a process of verifying unit standards against a set of requirements – Class  Rules and Standards

•         Classification aims to verify that the required Rule standard is built in, observed and maintained throughout the unit’s life

      Role of Classification

•         Classification has gained world wide recognition as an adequate level of safety and quality, i.e. provides a sound basic safety standard

•         Classification serves as a verification system for a number of parties who have special interest in the safety and quality of MOUs, such as:

–        National Authorities

–        Insurance underwriters

–        Owners

–        Building yards and sub-contractors

–        Finance institutions

–        Charterers 

     

   Main Class covers the following systems:

•         Arrangement, incl. area classification and escape

•         Emergency safety systems 

•         Structural strength including hull and superstructure, materials, welding, fabrication and corrosion protection

•         Stability

•         Watertight and weather-tight integrity

•         Machinery and systems for marine use

•         Electrical installations for marine use

•         Instrumentation and automation.

•         Fire protection

Classification - What is not covered?

•         Functionality/reliability of non-safety critical systems

•         Life time considerations equipment

•         Requirements to user friendliness

•         Requirements to inspection- and maintenance friendliness

•         Requirements to personnel protection only partly

MAIN CLASS SURVEY:

n  Annual Survey

n  Intermediate Survey

n  Renewal/Special Survey

n  In case of overdue periodical surveys class surveys class automatically gets suspended.

n  Full term Class certificates are valid for 5 years. Class certificates are endorsed on completion of annual/intermediate surveys and renewed on completion of renewal/ special surveys.

Main class survey – Class Assumptions

n  Proper maintenance

n  Class informed of damages & defects

n  Proper cleaning and descaling prior to surveys

n  Timely notification and sufficient time for surveys

n  Safe access, in particular for close-up

Periodical class surveys are not substitutes for inspections by owner / manager (Ref ISM)

MAIN CLASS SURVEY – ANNUAL SURVEY

n  Annual survey is general survey of the hull & equipment and machinery & systems including electrical and instrumentation to confirm that the ship complies with the relevant rule requirements and is in satisfactorily maintained condition.

n  General external examination of hull & equipments and tests. (Examination of hull, deck, openings and closing appliances, anchoring and equipments, deck piping arrangements.

n  General external examination machinery & systems and tests.( examination of machinery space- main engine and systems, auxiliary engines, boiler/economiser, pressure vessel, steering gear, cable installation, emergency power, emergency systems like remote stop of blowers, fuel oil pump, quick closing valve, fire-extinguishing systems.

n  Verification of onboard documentation.

n  If statutory surveys are done be class, then normally done with due statutory surveys.

n  Assessment of safety management system – to report any failure of safety management system.

n  Examination of areas recorded with substantial corrosion.

n  Internal examination of the ballast tanks (poor or fair coating) adjacent to the heated fuel/cargo tank.

n  Incase of dry cargo ships with ESP or EHSR notations requirement of examination of cargo holds according to the age of the ship.

MAIN CLASS SURVEY- ESP NOTATION

n  Bulk Carrier, oil and chemical tankers have this notation.

n  ESP is also part of SOLAS.

n  Survey program has information regarding condition of coating, access, safety requirements, suspect areas, critical areas, damages experienced by sister ships, damages and repairs done previously, areas recorded under substantial corrosion, minimum thickness list of structural members

n  Before commencement of survey, meeting between ship staff, surveyors and gauging team.

n  Survey includes close-up examination and thickness gauging.

n  After completion of survey hull summary report is prepared.

n  Onboard separate file to be maintained for hull reports and survey planning document.    

Main Class Survey- Intermediate Survey

n  All requirements of the annual surveys.

n  Internal examination of the ballast tanks and cargo tanks/holds according the age of the vessel.

n  Dry-docking incase of ships with ESP notation and EHSR survey requirements.

n  Thickness gauging and close-up examination for ships with ESP notation and more than 15 years old- requirement of internal examination are similar to last renewal survey. 

Main Class Survey – Renewal Survey

n  All requirements of the intermediate and annual survey

n  Examination of fuel oil tanks, diesel oil tanks, fresh water tanks

n  Internal examination including close-up and thickness gauging of ballast and cargo tanks/holds more extensive than intermediate survey.

n  Pressure testing tanks

n  Gauging of anchor chain and examination of chain locker

n  Bottom survey

n  Pressure testing /thickness gauging of pipes

n  Machinery Items

Main class survey – Alternate survey arrangements - 

n  Hull continuous survey

n  Hull integrated survey program

n  Continuous machinery survey

n  Planned maintenance survey

n  Condition Monitoring

Integrated Hull Survey Program

n  Only applicable for container carrier

n  Planned inspection and maintenance system to be implemented. Initial implementation survey to be carried out.

n  Qualification and competency of personnel to carry out inspection under ISP.

n  Inspection carried out by Ship/company personnel and verification audit by class

n  Specific items to be done by class – Items related to bottom survey and tanks/space requiring thickness gauging.

n  If management changes, PMS is not valid.

Hull Continuous Survey

n  Applicable for passenger ships, ferries, RoRo ships, LPG, LNG, Container carrier.

n  Accepted for ships age < 20 years.

n  Survey to carried out as per the class status hull items listing.

n  Compartments to be examined once in 5 years to be distributed as 20% per year

n  Compartments to be examined once in 2.5 years to be distributed as 40% per year

Machinery continuous survey

n  This is the most commonly used method for machinery component survey.

n  The machinery cycle is for 5-years

n  About 20% items are distributed for survey at every year.

n  Survey to be carried out as per class machinery items list.

n  Survey method  1– Visual examination ( opening up fully or partly)

n  Survey method  2 – Running test

n  C/E can carry out inspection for some items. To be authorized by the company for carry out the survey

n  Items surveyed by C/E to be surveyed by Class surveyor in the next cycle.

n  Overboard valves and testing of electrical equipments to be done by class surveyor.

n  Maintenance history to be documented and maintained- logbook extract, record of maintenance, wear measurement form.

n  Surveyor, if necessary can ask for re-survey for the items surveyed by the C/E.

Machinery Planned Maintenance System

n  Normally computer based planned maintenance system to be implemented onboard. The software of PMS to be approved by class.

n  Chief Engineer to be authorized by company for carrying out surveys.

n  Onboard system should be able to produce maintenance history report

n  All main overhaul jobs to be identified as class related jobs.

n  Maximum interval of 5-years for main overhaul jobs.

n  Back-up procedure

n  Access Control

n  Overdue items

n  Wear-measurement forms to be connected to system

n  Initial implementation survey to be carried out.

n  Annual survey once system is in place. (Normally carried out with annual survey).

n  Each year about 20% items to be completed.

n  If management changed, arrangement is not valid.

Condition monitoring of Machinery

n  Approved condition monitoring program to be implemented onboard.

n  Valid PMS arrangement to be onboard.

n  Program for fuel oil bunker analysis

n  Program for lub oil analysis

n  Computer based diesel engine performance analyser to be provided

n  Vibration measuring and analysing equipment to be provided onboard.

n  If conditions are not maintained, then condition monitoring may be cancelled by PMS or CMS.

Other periodical surveys: Boiler Survey

n  Auxiliary oil-fired boiler or exhaust-fired boiler.

n  Survey interval 2.5 years.

n  Part 1- Internal examination

n  Part 2- adjustment of safety valves, function test, test of alarms and cut outs.

n  Incase of exhaust fired boilers adjustment of safety valves can be completed by C/E and inform class for reporting of completion of survey.

n  Incase of Indian flag, boiler > 8 years are subject to yearly inspection.

n  Based on water analysis report exemption can be taken from flag. (Max interval accepted 2 years.) for auxiliary oil-fired boiler.

Periodically unmanned machinery space

n  Group alarm test records

n  Propulsion remote control system

n  Engineers alarm

n  Fire detection system

n  Bilge alarm

n  Standby machinery, auto change-over, preferential trip

n  Calibration equipment

n  Planned maintenance arrangement

n  Safe manning certificate

Other periodical surveys: Tail shaft Survey

n  Carried out at 5 years interval

n  To examine propeller shaft, shaft bearing, stern bush, shaft sealing arrangement.

n  Incase oil lubricated propeller shaft with type approved sealing glands withdrawal may be exempted upto every alternate surveys.( interval 10 years. Check also flag requirements.

Tail shaft monitoring arrangement:

This is granted for oil lubricated shaft. A initial survey to be carried out.

File (TMON) to be maintained onboard. Lub oil analysis test-kit to be available

On board.

n  Applicable for oil lubricated tail shaft.

n  Initial implementation survey and annual survey there after.

n  No fixed interval for shaft withdrawal. (Check flag requirements).

n  TMON file to be onboard.

n  Lub oil analysis kit to be onboard.

n  Every month water content in stern tube lub oil to be recorded.

n  Monthly lub oil consumption to be recorded.

n  Stern tube bearing temperature highest and lowest to be recorded in every month.

n  Lub oil analysis to be done outside at-least twice a year. Report should indicate whether oil is suitable for further use.

n  Bearing wear down measurements to be taken at every drydock.

Bottom Survey

n  Survey of outside hull below deepest waterline.

n  Inspection of rudder & propeller.

n  Thrusters if applicable.

n  Shipside valves

n  As per SOLAS ship has to dry-dock 2 times in 5-year cycle. Max interval of docking 36 months.

n  If extension required, to be taken both from class and flag. 

n  Bottom survey afloat may be permitted (alternate survey) incase of ships with BIS notation

n  Bottom survey afloat also permitted ships without BIS notation but with tail shaft with oil lubricated bearings and rudder bearing are metallic or synthetic type or water lubricated bearing possible to measure while afloat.

n  Approved diving firm to carry out survey – Video & audio communication with divers required. Proceeding to be video recorded.

Statutory surveys- certificates

n  Tonnage Certificate – Initial Survey renewed only on modification.

n  Safe Manning Certificate- Issued upon registration under flag

n  Registration Certificate- Issued upon registration under flag.

n  International Load-line Certificate- Every year annual survey- 5 yearly renewal.

n  Safety Construction Certificate- Yearly annual survey- 2.5 yearly intermediate survey- 5 yearly renewal.

n  Safety Equipment Certificate- Yearly annual survey – periodical survey 2nd/3rd year – 5 yearly renewal.

n  Safety Radio Certificate- Yearly periodical survey – 5 yearly renewal.

n  IOPP Certificate – yearly annual survey- 2nd or 3rd year intermediate survey – 5 yearly renewal survey.

n  IAPP Certificate – yearly annual survey – 5 yearly renewal survey.

n  SPP Certificate – 5 yearly renewal survey.

n  International Safety Management Certificate – 2.5 yearly intermediate audit, 5 yearly renewal audit

n  International Ship Security Certificate- 2.5 yearly intermediate audit, 5 yearly renewal audit.

Classification notations

Classification notations are indicative of the specific rule requirements which have been met.

Depending on the classification society, the classification notations are assigned to the ship

according to ship type, service, navigation and/or other criteria which have been provided by

the owner and/or builder, when requesting classification.

Classification notations assigned to a ship are indicated on the certificate of classification as

well as in the Register of Ships published by the society. These notations can be generalized

by the following types which may be used in combination:

· main class symbol

· construction marks

· service notations with additional service features, as applicable

· navigation notations

· geographic notations

· additional class notations

Class symbol

The main class symbol expresses the degree of compliance of the ship with specific rule

requirements regarding its construction.

Construction mark

The construction mark, when assigned, identifies the procedure under which the ship and its

main equipment or arrangements have been surveyed for initial assignment of the class.

Service notations

The service notations, when assigned, define the type and/or service of the ship which has

been considered for its classification.

A ship may be assigned several different service notations. In such case, the specific rule

requirements applicable to each service notation will have been complied with.

Navigation and operating area notations

Navigation notations

Some classification societies define limiting areas for navigation (e.g. high seas, coastal

waters, and sheltered waters), and/or limiting environmental conditions for certain types of

ships and marine structures.

The assignment of restricted navigation notations may include the reduction of scantlings or

specific arrangements.

The assignment of a navigation notation by classification societies does not dispense the

owner from compliance with any applicable international and/or national regulations

established by the Administrations for ships operating in national waters, or a specific area, or

a navigation zone.

Operating or service area notations

The operating area notation specifies the service area where the ship (e.g. dredgers, crane

pontoons, port tugs) can operate as regards its assigned class.

Additional class notations

When assigned, an additional class notation gives details of additional equipment or specific

arrangements, which have been specially requested by the owner.

Assignment, maintenance, suspension and withdrawal of class

Assignment of class

Class is assigned to a ship upon the completion of satisfactory surveys, held in order to check

compliance with the rules of the society. This assignment may be given in the following cases:

·  On completion of the new building, after satisfactory surveys have been performed,

·  a satisfactory survey of an existing ship carried out in accordance with the agreement

developed by the IACS Member Societies for ships transferring class between

members, or

·  a satisfactory specific class survey of an existing ship not classed with an IACS

society, or not classed at all.

Maintenance of class

Classed ships are subject to surveys for maintenance of class. These surveys include the

class renewal (also called “special survey”), intermediate, annual, and bottom/docking surveys

(either a survey in dry dock or an in-water survey) of the hull, tailshaft survey, boiler survey,

machinery surveys and surveys for the maintenance of additional class notations, where

applicable. Such surveys are carried out at the intervals and under the conditions given below.

The surveys are to be carried out in accordance with the relevant requirements in order to confirm

that the condition of the hull, machinery, equipment and appliances comply with the applicable rules. It is owner’s duty to ensure that the ship’s maintenance is kept at a satisfactory level in order to maintain the condition between surveys. The extent of any survey depends upon the condition of the ship and its equipment. In addition to the minimum required extent of surveys specified in the rules, should the surveyor have a doubt as to the lack of maintenance or condition of the ship or its equipment, or be informed by the

owner of any deficiency or damage which may affect class, further examination and testing may be conducted as considered necessary.

Suspension of class

The class may be suspended following a decision made by the society when one or more of

the following occurs:

·  when a ship is not operated in compliance with the rule requirements,

·  when a ship proceeds to sea with less freeboard than that assigned,

·  when the owner fails to request a survey after having detected defects or damages

affecting the class,

·  when repairs, alterations or conversions affecting the class are carried out without

requesting the attendance of a surveyor.

In addition, class is automatically suspended:

·  when the class renewal/special survey has not been completed by its due date or

within the time granted in special circumstances for the completion of the survey,

unless the ship is under attendance by the society’s surveyor(s) with a view to

completion prior to resuming trading;

·  when the annual or intermediate surveys have not been completed by the end of the

corresponding survey time windows.

Suspension of class with respect to the above cases will remain in effect until such time as the

due surveys and any other survey deemed appropriate by the society have been completed.

In addition to the circumstances for which automatic suspension may apply, the class of a ship

will be subject to suspension procedures following a decision of the society:

·  when a recommendation/condition of class is not dealt with within the time limit

specified, unless it is postponed before the due date by agreement with the society

·  when one or more other surveys are not held by their due dates - or the dates

stipulated by the society also taking into account any extensions granted

·  when, due to the nature of reported defects, the society considers that a ship is not

entitled to retain its class even on a temporary basis (pending necessary repairs or

renewals, etc.)

·  in other circumstances where the owner fails to submit the ship to a survey in

accordance with a special requirement.

In all cases suspension will remain in effect until such time as matters are rectified and the

class is reinstated or class is withdrawn.

Depending on the society’s procedures, the suspensions of class which are not automatic may

take effect either when they are decided by the society or from the date when the conditions

for suspension occurred. However once the conditions for class suspension/withdrawal are

met and before any decision by the society can be taken, either because the society is not

aware of the circumstances (surveys dates, etc. are recorded but not systematically

monitored) or because the decision is not yet taken, maintenance of class cannot generally be

confirmed by the society during this period.

Withdrawal of class

The society will withdraw the class of a ship when:

·  requested by the owner,

·  the class has been suspended for more than six months,

·  the ship is reported as a constructive total loss and the owner does not give his

intentions to repair the ship for re-instatement of class,

·  the ship is reported lost

·  the ship will not trade further as declared by its owner.

Withdrawal of class takes effect from the date on which the circumstances causing such

withdrawal occur or when it is decided.

Notification of suspension or withdrawal

When class is suspended or withdrawn, the society will at the same time:

·  inform the owner, flag Administration and underwriters (the latter at their request)

·  delete the ship from the Register of Ships

·  convey the information to appropriate databases (Equasis, SIReNaC, etc.)

Surveys – an overview of requirements and certification

Definitions and procedures related to classification surveys

Period of certificate of class

The period of the certificate of class starts either from the date of initial classification, or from

the credited date of the last class renewal/special survey, and expires at the due date

assigned for the next class renewal/special survey.

Note: The due date is the end of the time window for that survey.

Anniversary date

The anniversary date is the day and the month given in the certificate of class which

corresponds to the expiry date of the certificate.

Survey time window

The survey time window is the fixed period during which the annual and intermediate surveys

are to be carried out.

Overdue surveys

Each periodical survey is assigned a due date specified by the relevant rules by which it is to

be completed.

A survey becomes overdue when it has not been completed by its due date. For example:

Anniversary date: 15th April

The annual survey can be validly carried out from 16th January to 15th July. If not

completed by 15th July, the annual survey becomes overdue and class will be suspended

automatically.

Recommendations/Conditions of Class

‘Recommendation’ and ‘Condition of Class’ are different terms used by IACS societies for the

same thing and are those requirements imposed by the society which will affect the class if not

complied with by the assigned due date.

Memoranda

Other information of assistance to the surveyor and owners may be recorded as ‘memoranda’

or a similar term. They may, for example, include notes concerning materials, barred engine

speed ranges and other constructional information. A memorandum may also define a

structural condition which, though deviating from the technical standard, does not affect the

class (e.g. slight indents in the shell, which do not have an effect upon the overall strength of

the hull, or minor deficiencies, which do not affect the operational safety of the machinery).

In addition, memoranda could define recurring survey requirements, such as annual survey of

specified spaces, or retrofit requirements, which have the de-facto effect of conditions of class.

Specific questions in relation to the meaning of memoranda / recommendations / conditions of

class are to be addressed to the classification society concerned though the owner of the ship.

Periodical surveys, periodicity and scope

Class renewal survey / special survey

Class renewal surveys/special surveys are carried out at five-year intervals. However,

consideration may be given by the society, in exceptional circumstances, to granting an

extension for a maximum period of three months after the due date. In such cases the next

period of class will start from the due date for the previous class renewal survey before the

extension was granted.

The special survey may be commenced at the 4th annual survey and be progressed with a

view to completion by the 5th anniversary date.

The class renewal surveys/special surveys include extensive examinations to check that the

structures, main and essential auxiliary machinery, systems and equipment of the ship remain

in a condition which satisfies the rules. The examinations of the hull are generally

supplemented by thickness measurements and witnessing of tests as specified in the rules

and as deemed necessary by the attending surveyor to assess that the structural integrity

remains effective and to help discovering substantial corrosion, significant deformation,

fractures, damages or other structural deterioration.

Annual survey

Annual surveys are to be carried out within a window from three months before to three

months after each anniversary date.

At the time of annual surveys, the ship is generally examined. The survey includes an

inspection of the hull, equipment and machinery of the ship and some witnessing of tests

thereof, so far as is necessary and practical in order to check that the ship remains in a

general condition which satisfies the rule requirements.

Intermediate survey

An intermediate survey is to be carried out within the window from three months before the

second to three months after the third anniversary date.

The intermediate survey includes examinations and checks as specified in the rules on the

structure to show that the ship is in a satisfactory condition.

According to the type and age of the ship the examinations of the hull are supplemented by

thickness measurements as specified in the rules and where deemed necessary by the

attending surveyor.

Bottom / Docking survey

A bottom/docking survey is the examination of the outside of the ship's hull and related items.

This examination may be carried out with the

ship either in dry dock (or on a slipway) or afloat:

in the former case the survey will be referred to

as dry-docking survey, while in the latter case as

in-water survey. The conditions for acceptance of

an in-water survey in lieu of a dry-docking survey

will depend on the type and age of the ship and

the previous history.

The outside of the ship's hull and related items

are to be examined on two occasions in the fiveyear

period of the certificate of class with a

maximum of 36 months between surveys.

One of the two bottom/docking surveys to be performed in the five-year period is to be

concurrent with the class renewal/special survey and this bottom/docking survey is to be a drydocking

survey.

For ships subject to the Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) and 15 years of age and above,

the intermediate bottom/docking survey is to be carried out in a dry-dock.

Tailshaft survey

A tailshaft survey is the survey of screwshafts and tube shafts (hereafter referred to as

tailshafts) and the stern bearing.

The different types of surveys to which tailshafts may be subjected and the intervals are:

·  complete survey

·  modified survey

·  partial survey

Tailshaft complete survey

Tailshafts are to be submitted to complete examination at a periodicity based on the type of

shaft and its design. “Complete” means that the shaft is drawn up for examination or that other

equivalent means of examination are provided.

Tailshaft modified survey

A modified survey of the tailshaft is an examination which may be accepted at alternate fiveyearly

surveys for tailshafts provided that the shaft arrangement is in accordance with specific

requirements.

Partial survey

A partial survey allows a postponement of the complete survey, having a periodicity of 5 years,

for 2.5 years

Boiler surveys

Boilers and thermal oil heaters are to be surveyed twice in every five-year period. The

periodicity of the boiler survey is normally 2.5 years.

Steam boilers, superheaters and economisers are examined internally and externally. To this

end, boilers are to be drained and suitably prepared for the examination of the water-steam

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side and the fire side. Where necessary, the external surfaces are to be made accessible for

inspection by removal of insulation and lining.

Upon completion of the internal survey, the boiler is examined under steam and fuel oil

burners and safety devices checked under working conditions.

The setting pressures of safety valves are to be checked. For auxiliary exhaust gas boilers, if

steam cannot be raised in port, the Chief Engineer is to set the safety valves at sea and record

the setting pressures in the log-book.

Non-periodical surveys

Such surveys are carried out for example:

·  to update classification documents (e.g. change of owner, name of the ship, change of

flag);

·  to deal with damage or suspected damage, repair or renewal work, alterations or

conversion, postponement of surveys or recommendations/conditions of class;

·  At the time of port State control inspections

In the event of damage which affects

or may affect the class of the ship, the

owner is to advise the society without

delay.

Arrangements are then made at the

earliest opportunity for a surveyor to

attend and ascertain the extent of the

damage and foreseen repairs.

Any damage in association with wastage over the allowable limits (including buckling,

grooving, detachment or fracture), or extensive areas of wastage over the allowable limits,

which affects or, in the opinion of the surveyor, will affect the vessel’s structural, watertight or

weathertight integrity, is to be promptly and thoroughly repaired thereby removing the need for

the imposition of any associated condition of classification. Otherwise, damages and partial or

temporary repairs considered acceptable by the surveyor for a limited period of time are

covered by an appropriate recommendation/condition of class.

Damages or repairs required by the surveyor to be re-examined after a certain period of time

are also covered by an appropriate recommendation/condition of class.

Class certificate

Issue of the certificate of classification

A certificate of classification, bearing the class notations assigned to the ship and an expiry

date, is issued to all classed ships. This certificate may also be provided with annexes

supplying information sufficient for the management of the certificate, for determining the class

surveys date and for immediate assessment of possible irregularities (overdue

recommendations, etc.).

An interim/provisional certificate of classification may serve as a certificate of classification in

certain situations when deemed necessary by the society.

Validity of the certificate of classification

A certificate of classification, properly endorsed, is valid until the expiry date unless advised

otherwise by the society or there are no grounds for suspension or withdrawal of class.

Endorsement of certificate of classification

When annual and intermediate surveys are satisfactorily completed, the certificate of

classification is:

·  endorsed for the periodical surveys;

·  according to the practice of some societies, endorsed accordingly, with the relevant

entries in the appropriate annexes attached to the certificate concerning the

recommendations/conditions of class, if any, and/or the surveys held.

Where applicable, memoranda are also endorsed in the appropriate annex.

Definitions and procedures related to statutory surveys

General

The conventions require an initial survey before a vessel is put in service for the first time and

then receives its first certificate, and a certificate renewal survey at one, two or five year

intervals thereafter, depending on the certificate and type of ship. In addition, for those

certificates valid for more than one year, surveys at annual intervals are required, one of

which, at approximately half way and termed ‘intermediate’, may be of greater extent than an

ordinary ‘annual’. The ‘Harmonised System of Survey and Certification’ (HSSC) implemented

by many Administrations under IMO resolutions A.746(18) and A.882(21), brings all SOLAS

(except for passenger ships), MARPOL and Load Line convention surveys into a five-year

cycle. With respect of safety equipment surveys, HSSC uses the term ‘periodical’ instead of

‘intermediate’, and for radio, ‘periodical’ instead of ‘annual’. These latter take the place of the

renewal surveys held under the shorter certificate renewal cycles.

The scope of survey can generally be harmonized with the extents of the classification surveys detailed above and, as far as possible, are held concurrently with them. The scope of survey, which does not necessarily encompass 100% of the structure, equipment, etc of the ship, is laid down by IMO resolutions and generally increases with age. It is to include sufficiently extensive examinations and checks to show that the structures, main and essential auxiliary machinery, systems and equipment of the ship are in a satisfactory condition and are fit for the service for which the ship is intended insofar as the requirements concerned are met.

Between surveys, the conventions require the flag Administration to make it compulsory for the owner to maintain the ship to conform to the regulations to ensure that the ship will in all respects remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board or unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.

Initial survey

An initial survey is an inspection of the design and construction of the relevant structure, machinery and equipment of the ship to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the regulations and is fit for the service for which the ship is intended.

Renewal survey

A renewal survey is an inspection of the structure, machinery and/or equipment, as applicable, to ensure that their condition remains in compliance with the requirements of the regulations. Modifications to the ship having a bearing on the conformity of the vessel to the requirements are to be declared by the owner and inspected.

 Annual survey

An annual survey, in principle, includes a general inspection of the relevant structure and equipment of the ship to confirm that it has been maintained in accordance with the regulations and remains satisfactory for the service for which it is intended.

Intermediate survey

An intermediate survey is an inspection of specified items relevant to the particular certificate to confirm that they are in satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which the ship is intended. Depending on the certificate concerned and the age of the ship, the scope may range from that of an annual survey to the equivalent of a renewal.

Periodical survey

Periodical surveys generally take the place of renewal surveys for those certificates which previously were renewed after one or two years. However, in the case of a Load Line Certificate which is issued on behalf of, or by, Parties that have not implemented the harmonised system of survey and certification, the five-year renewal survey may be referred to as the ‘periodical’ survey.

Issue of statutory certificates

Authorisation

Statutory certificates are issued by the RO in accordance with the terms of its recognition by the flag Administration. Variation of the delegation of statutory authority or certificates that can be issued by the RO exists between Administrations. The Administration should be contacted for specific details of the authorization.

Issue, endorsement and withdrawal

A certificate is issued or endorsed after the relevant surveys are passed. A certificate may be issued, valid for a short time period, listing corrective action to be rectified for minor deficiencies which do not prevent the issuance of a certificate to the ship. For most conventions, the Administration empowers the RO to withdraw or invalidate a certificate if the required corrective action is not taken.