Ship Survey & Certification

Ship Survey & Certification
 

 WHAT ARE STATUTORY CERTIFICATES? NAME THEM.

Statutory Certificates mean the following certificates including those certificates of compliance required under the Conventions, etc. to be kept on board the ships:

 

(1) International Load Line Certificate

(2) Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate

(3) Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate

(4) Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate

(5) Cargo Ship Safety Certificate

(6) Passenger Ship Safety Certificate

(7) Exemption Certificate

(8) International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate

(9) International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk

(10) International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk

(11) International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk

(12) Certificates in compliance with the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code)

(a) Document of Compliance (DOC)

(b) Safety Management Certificate (SMC)

(c) Interim Document of Compliance (Interim DOC)

(d) Interim Safety Management Certificate (Interim SMC)

(13) International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) and Interim International Ship Security Certificate (Interim ISSC)

(14) International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate

(15) Certificate of Fitness for Ship Carrying Dangerous Goods

(16) International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate

(17) International Anti-Fouling System Certificate

(18)CLC certificate

(19) Certificate of registry (UNCLOS)

(20)International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate

(21)Bunker CLC

(22)MLC & Statement of Compliance

(23)Minimum Safe Manning

 

 LIST TRADING CERTIFICATES

 

1.      Certificate of registry

2.      Certificate of Class

3.      H&M insurance certificate

4.      P&I insurance certificate

5.      Port clearance certificate

6.      Suez Canal Tonnage

 

 FEATURES OF HSSC

 

1.      One year standard interval between surveys, based on initial, annual, intermediate, periodical and renewal surveys, as appropriate, except for MARPOL Annex IV which is based in initial and renewal surveys.

2.      A scheme providing the necessary flexibility to execute each survey, with provision for:

i)       Completion of the renewal survey within 3 months before the expiry date of the existing certificate with no loss of its period of validity

ii)      A “time window” of 6 months – from 3 months before to 3 months after the anniversary date of the certificate for annual, intermediate and periodical surveys

3.      A maximum period of validity of 5 years for all cargo ship certificates

4.      A system for the extension of certificates limited to 3 months, enabling a ship to complete its voyage, or 1 month for ships engaged on short voyages

5.      When an extension has been granted, the period of validity of the new certificate starting from the expiry date of the existing certificate before its extension

6.      A flexible system of inspection of the outside of ship’s bottom on the following conditions:

i)       A minimum of two inspections during any five year period of validity of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate

ii)      The interval between any two such inspections should not exceed 36 months

7.      A Cargo Ship Safety Certificate under SOLAS 74/88, as an alternative to separate Cargo Ship Safety Construction, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment and Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificates

8.      A flexible system concerning the frequency and the period of validity of certificates, subject to the minimum pattern of surveys being maintained

 

 SURVEYS REQUIRED AFTER TRANSFER OF THE SHIP TO THE FLAG OF ANOTHER STATE

1.      The certificates cease to be valid upon transfer of Flag State

2.      It is required that the new Flag State should not issue new certificates until it is fully satisfied that the ship is being properly maintained and that there have been no unauthorized changes made to the structure, machinery and equipment

3.      When so requested, the former Flag State is obliged to forward as soon as possible to the new Flag State copies of all old certificates and, if available, copies of relevant survey reports and records, such as record of safety equipment and conditions of assignment for load line

4.      When fully satisfied by an inspection that the ship is being properly maintained and that there have been no unauthorized changes, in order to maintain the harmonization of surveys the new Administration may give due recognition to initial and subsequent surveys carried out by old Administration and issue new certificates having the same expiry date as the certificates that ceased to be valid because of change of Flag.

 

 PREPARATION FOR SAFCON SURVEY

 

Before SAFCON survey following items to be checked

1.      Structural strength of the vessels is good. No part of deck or hull is badly corroded.

2.      Watertight doors are in good condition. Remote and local controls are working properly.

3.      Bilge pumping and drainage conditions are in good condition.

4.      Electrical equipment and installation

5.      Emergency sources of electrical power

6.      Electric and elctro-hydraulic steering gears

7.      Precautions against shock, fire and other hazards of electrical origin

8.      Fire protection arrangements, fixed and portable firefighting equipment are well maintained and in good operating condition

9.      Boilers and machinery

10.   Means of going astern

11.   Shaft

12.   Boiler feed system in good condition

13.   Steam pipe systems in good condition

14.   Air pressure systems are in good condition

15.   Cooling water systems are in good condition

16.   Fuel, lubricating and other oil systems are in good condition

17.   Means of communication are in good condition (between bridge and steering room, bridge and local manoeuvring station)

18.   Steering gear

19.   Anchor chain and cables

20.   Means of escapes are well maintained and in good condition

21.   Means of stopping machinery

22.   Shutting off fuel suction pipes

23.   Closing of opening

24.   For tankers 10000GT and above

i)       Two hydraulic steering gear control systems

ii)      Alarms for low level hydraulic fluids

iii)    Independent means of restraining rudder

iv)    Cargo tank openings, P/V valves, venting and gas freeing arrangements, COW systems, housekeeping, pump rooms

v)      Safe access to bow

vi)    Emergency towing arrangements

25.   Arrangements for UMS ships – alarms, shutdowns etc.

 

Q: PREPARATION FOR SEQ SURVEY

LSA

1.      Muster list updated and posted in conspicuous position

2.      Lifejacket donning instructions posted in conspicuous positions

3.      Emergency stations directed by arrows

4.      Lifeboats and associated equipments are maintained and in good condition

5.      Life raft serviced annually and marked as per SOLAS

6.      Launching instructions of all survival crafts are displayed near the craft

7.      No. of lifebuoys are as per SOLAS. Their markings, symbols, life lines, smoke signals are in good condition

8.      Bridge pyrotechnics are adequate and in good condition as per SOLAS

9.      Emergency lights and general alarms are in good condition

 

FFA

1.      Fire control plans displayed in conspicuous places

2.      Copies of fire plans are available in fire wallet

3.      Fire detection system in good condition

4.      Main and emergency fire pumps in good condition

5.      Fire hoses, nozzles, fire hose boxes in good condition and stowed properly

6.      International shore connection in proper place and location marked properly

7.      Fixed fire extinguishing system in good condition

8.      Portable fire extinguishers in good condition, properly maintained, marked and uses appropriate colors as per SOLAS

9.      Fire main system, isolating valves, hydrants in good and operational condition

10.   Location of fireman’s outfit marked. All associated equipments are adequate as per SOLAS and in good condition

11.   No. of fireman’s outfits, BA sets, air bottles are adequate as per SOLAS and in good condition

 

OTHER ITEMS

1.      Navigation lights, shapes, sound signaling appliances in good condition

2.      Magnetic compass in good condition, and deviation curve, compass error book are properly maintained

3.      Radar, arpa, echo sounder, gyro compass, position fixing instruments, log, ROTI in good condition

4.      Adequate and up to date charts and publications are onboard

5.      Pilot ladder in good condition

 

 PREPARATION FOR SAFETY RADIO SURVEY

Refer to Form-R, attached with the certificate. It contains the survey items.

Following items to be in good operational condition:

1.      VHF radio telephony

2.      VHF DSC

3.      MF/HF radio telephony, NBDP

4.      MF/HF DSC

5.      INMARSAT

6.      NAVTEX receiver

7.      EGC receiver

8.      EPIRB, battery expiry date

9.      SART, battery expiry date

10.   Two way VHF radio telephony apparatus

11.   Main and Emergency sources of power

12.   Battery, battery charging system

13.   General operator’s certificate

14.   GMDSS log book

 

 PREPARATION FOR IOPP SURVEY

1.      ORB properly filled up and endorsed

2.      ODMCS in good working condition

3.      OWS and filtering equipment in good working condition

4.      Pumping and piping systems are in good working condition

5.      SOPEP is updated and endorsed

6.      Anti-pollution gear is sufficient

 

 PREPARATION FOR LL SURVEY

 

1.      Have any changes been made or any new equipment installed which would affect the validity of the International Load line Certificate or have any alterations been made to the hull or superstructure, which would affect the calculation determining the position of the load lines?

2.      Were all other statutory and Classification certificates valid at the time of survey?

3.      Vessel’s decks appear to be in a satisfactory condition without excessive rust

4.      All weather tight doors found in satisfactory condition

5.      Machinery space openings are weathertight

6.      Hatchways and hatch openings are weathertight

7.      All ventilators on deck and their coamings are in good condition

8.      Air pipes on freeboard and superstructure decks have been examined including their closing arrangements and found in satisfactory condition.

9.      Automatic closing arrangements, where fitted, found in satisfactory condition.

10.   Flame screens on air pipes at all fuel oil tanks are satisfactory as far as could be seen.

11.   Cargo ports and other similar openings below freeboard deck are watertight.

12.   Scuppers, overboard discharge and non-return valves found in satisfactory condition.

13.   Windows, side scuttles and deadlights on the ship's sides, superstructures and deckhouses found in satisfactory condition.

14.   Freeing ports including their shutters and bars or rails and the shutters operation verified and found satisfactory

15.   Pumping arrangements in steering flat and forepeak tanks are in good condition.

16.   Arrangements for protection of crew and access to crew’s quarters such as gangways or under deck passageways, lifelines, walkways, and bulwark and/or guard rails found in satisfactory condition.

17.   For ships with special arrangements such as timber carriers (uprights, sockets, lashings, guard rails and lifelines), tankers (safe access to tanker bows etc), Ro-Ro vessels (bow, stern, side doors etc) and other special type ships, the condition of the special arrangements is satisfactory as far as could be seen.

18.   The freeboard marks have been verified and found in accordance with the freeboards assigned in the International Load line Certificate.

19.   Stability booklet approved

20.   Loading manual approved

21.    (Cargo ship more than 100 meters in length)Loading instrument approved

22.   Loading, stability, information are in language(s) understood by the ship’s officers.

 

 WHAT IS A SPECIAL SURVEY?

 

1.      To be carried out at 5 years intervals to renew the Classification Certificate

2.      The first Special Survey is to be completed within 5 years from the date of the initial classification survey

3.      The Special Survey may be commenced at the 4th Annual Survey and be progressed with a view to completion by the 5th anniversary date

4.      An extension of class of 3 months maximum beyond the 5th year can be granted in exceptional circumstances.

 

Hull special surveys

1.      The Special Survey is to include, Surveys, examination, tests and checks of sufficient extent to ensure that the hull and related piping are in a satisfactory condition and fit for the intended purpose

2.      Ballast tanks, compressor rooms, pipe tunnels, cofferdams and void spaces bounding cargo tanks, decks and outer hull are to be examined, and this examination is to be supplemented by thickness measurement and testing. The aim of the examination is to discover Substantial Corrosion, significant deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration, that may be present.

3.      All piping systems within the above spaces are to be examined and operationally tested to working pressure to attending Surveyor's satisfaction to ensure that tightness and condition remain satisfactory

4.      A survey in dry dock is to be a part of the Special Survey. The overall and close-up surveys and thickness measurements, as applicable, of the lower portions of the ballast tanks are to be carried out

5.      Where provided, the condition of corrosion prevention system of ballast tanks is to be examined

6.      Minimum requirement for Close-up Survey:

i)       All web-frames in all ballast tanks (Complete transverse web frame including adjacent structural members)

ii)      All transverse bulkheads in all ballast tanks (Transverse bulkhead complete, including girder system and adjacent members, and adjacent longitudinal bulkhead structure)

7.      Extent of thickness measurement:

i)       Within the cargo area:

(1)   Each deck plate

(2)   Three transverse sections

(3)   Each bottom plate

(4)   Duct keel plating and internals

ii)      All wind and water strakes, full length

iii)    Measurements, for general assessment and recording of corrosion pattern, of those structural members subject to Close-up Survey

iv)    Suspect areas

8.      Additional thickness measurement in way of substantial corrosion

i)       On a plating in suspect areas  and adjacent plates, a 5 point pattern over 1 square meter

ii)      On stiffeners in suspect areas, 3 measurements each in line across web and flange

9.      Extent of tank testing - All boundaries of water ballast tanks and deep tanks used for water ballast within the cargo area are to be pressure tested. For fuel oil tanks, the representative tanks are to be pressure tested.

 

Cargo installation special surveys

1.      All cargo tanks are to be examined internally.

2.      Special attention is to be given to the cargo tank and insulation in way of chocks, supports and keys.

3.      Non-destructive testing is to supplement cargo tank inspection with special attention to be given to the integrity of the main structural members, tank shell and highly stressed parts, including welded connections as deemed necessary by the surveyor.

4.      The tightness of all cargo tanks is to be verified by an appropriate procedure.

5.      Where findings or an examination of the voyage records raises doubts as to the structural integrity of a cargo tank, a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic testis to be carried out.

6.      As far as practicable all hold spaces and hull insulation (if provided), secondary barriers and tank supporting structures are to be visually examined. The secondary barrier of all tanks is to be checked for their effectiveness by means of a pressure/vacuum test, a visual examination or another acceptable method.

7.      The pressure/vacuum relief valves, rupture disc and other pressure relief devices for interbarrier spaces and hold spaces are to be opened, examined, tested and readjusted as necessary, depending on their design.

8.      The pressure relief valves for the cargo tanks are to be opened for examination, adjusted, function tested, and sealed

9.      The cargo, liquid nitrogen and process piping systems are to be opened for examination as deemed necessary. Insulation is to be removed as deemed necessary to ascertain the condition of the pipes. If the visual examination raises doubt as to the integrity of the pipelines, a pressure test at 1.25 times the MARVS for the pipeline is to be carried out.  After re-assembly the complete piping systems are to be tested for leaks.

10.   The pressure relief valves are to be function-tested. A random selection of valves is to be opened for examination and adjusted.

11.   Cargo pumps, compressors, process pressure vessels, liquid nitrogen tanks, heat exchangers and other components, including prime movers, used in connection with cargo handling and methane boil-off burning are to be examined as required in the Rules of each individual Society for periodical survey of machinery.

12.   Systems for removal of water or cargo from interbarrier spaces and holds are to be examined and tested as deemed necessary.

13.   All gas-tight bulkheads are to be inspected. The effectiveness of gas-tight shaft sealing is to be verified.

14.   The following equipment is to be examined: hoses and spool pieces used for segregation of piping systems for cargo, inert gas and bilging.

15.   It is to be verified that all cargo piping systems are electrically bonded to the hull.

 

PREPARATION FOR SURVEYS

Conditions of Survey

1.      The Master must provide the necessary facilities for a safe execution of the survey

2.      Tanks and Spaces are to be safe for access, i.e. gas freed, ventilated and illuminated.

3.      In preparation for survey and thickness measurements and to allow for a thorough examination, all spaces are to be cleaned including removal from surfaces of all loose accumulated corrosion scale

4.      Sufficient illumination is to be provided

5.      Where soft or semi-hard coatings have been applied, safe access is to be provided for the surveyor to verify the effectiveness of the coating and to carry out an assessment of the conditions of internal structures which may include spot removal of the coating.

 

Access to Structures

1.      For Overall Survey, means are to be provided to enable the surveyor to examine the hull structure in a safe and practical way.

2.      For Close-up Surveys, one or more of the following means for access, acceptable to the Surveyor, is to be provided:

i)       permanent staging and passages through structures

ii)      temporary staging, e.g. ladders, and passages through structures;

iii)    Lifts and movable platforms.

iv)    Boats or rafts.

v)      other equivalent means.

3.      Survey at sea or anchorage may be undertaken when the Surveyor is fully satisfied with the necessary assistance from the personnel onboard and provided the following conditions and limitations are met:

i)       Surveys of tanks by means of boats or rafts is at the sole discretion of the attending Surveyor, who is to take into account the safety arrangements provided, including weather forecasting and ship response in reasonable sea conditions. Appropriate life jackets are to be available for all participants. The boats or rafts are to have satisfactory residual buoyancy and stability even if one chamber is ruptured. A safety checklist is also to be provided. An oxygen-meter, breathing apparatus, lifeline and whistles are to be at hand during the survey. For oil tankers and chemical tankers an explosimeter is also to be provided.

ii)      A communication system is to be arranged between the survey party in the tank and the responsible officer on deck. This system must include the personnel in charge of ballast pump handling if boats or rafts are to be used.

iii)    Surveys of tanks by means of boats or rafts will only be permitted for the under deck areas of tanks when the coating of the under deck structure is in GOOD condition and there is no evidence of wastage. The only exception to this, at the discretion of the Surveyor, is where the depth of under deck web plating is 1,5 m or less. Alternatively, rafting may be used if a permanent means of access is provided in each bay to allow safe entry and exit. This means of access is to be direct from deck via a vertical ladder and a small platform fitted approximately 2 m below deck. Where these conditions are not met, then the under deck area will require to be staged for survey.

 WHAT ALL IS CHECKED IN SURVEY OF OUTSIDE OF SHIP’ BOTTOM (or docking survey)

 

1.      The shell plating is to be examined for excessive corrosion, or deterioration due to chafing or contact with the ground and for any undue unfairness or buckling. Special attention is to be paid to the connection between the bilge strakes and the bilge keels.

2.      Sea chests and their gratings, sea connections and overboard discharge valves and cocks and their fastenings to the hull or sea chests are to be examined.

3.      Visible parts of rudder, rudder pintles, rudder shafts and couplings and stern frame are to be examined. If considered necessary by the Surveyor, the rudder is to be lifted or the inspection plates removed for the examination of pintles. The clearance in the rudder bearings is to be ascertained and recorded.

4.      Visible parts of propeller and stern bush are to be examined. The clearance in the stern bush and the efficiency of the oil gland, if fitted, are to be ascertained and recorded.

5.      Propeller shafts and tube shafts are to be sufficiently drawn to permit entire examinations

 

 What is enhanced survey program, and which ships are required to have them?

 

1.      as per SOLAS Ch XI-1, Reg 2 Bulk carriers as defined in regulation IX/1.6 and oil tankers as defined in regulation II-1/2.22 shall be subject to an enhanced program of inspections in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Assembly of the Organization by resolution A.744 (18)

2.      The Code contains the minimum extent of examination, thickness measurements and tank testing.  The survey should be extended when substantial corrosion and/or structural defects are found and include additional close-up survey when necessary.

3.      The surveys should be carried out during the surveys prescribed by regulation I/10 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended.

 

WHAT IS SURVEY REPORT FILE AND IT’S CONTENTS AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENT?

 

1.      A survey report file should be a part of the documentation onboard consisting of:

i)       Reports of structural surveys

ii)      Condition evaluation report

iii)    Thickness measurement reports

iv)    Survey planning document

2.      The survey report file should be available also in the owner’s and the administration offices

3.      The following additional documentation should be available onboard

i)       Main structural plans of holds and ballast tanks

ii)      Previous repair history

iii)    Cargo and ballast history

iv)    Inspection by ship’s personnel with reference to:-

(1)   Structural deterioration in general

(2)   Leakages in bulkhead and piping

(3)   Condition of coating or corrosion-prevention system

v)      And any other information that would help to identify critical structural areas and/or suspect areas requiring inspection

 

WHAT IS CONDITION ASSESMENT SCHEME?

The CAS is to verify that the structural condition of single hull oil tankers at the time of survey is acceptable and, provided subsequent periodical surveys are satisfactorily completed and effective maintenance is carried out by the ship’s operator, will continue to be acceptable for a continued period of operation as indicated in the Statement of Compliance.

The Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) as a mandatory requirement under the revised regulation 13G of Annex I to MARPOL 73/78 enter into force on 1st September 2002.

 WHAT IS CONDITION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM?

The Condition Assessment Program(CAP) is a specialized survey program which offers owners a detailed assessment of a ship's actual condition, based on strength evaluation, and fatigue strength analysis as well as a detailed on site systematic inspection of the hull, machinery and cargo systems. With the CAP, owners can be confident that they have an accurate assessment of the ships actual condition, especially as far as the condition compares with the normal Class requirements.

The CAP applies, in principle, to oil tankers, chemical carriers and bulk carriers, though other types of ships may be covered, provided that the CAP is properly modified.
The CAP consists of two major parts which can be applied independently depending on the needs of the applicant.

(1) CAP-HULL (Condition Assessment for Hull Structures) 
(2) CAP-MACHINERY/CARGO SYSTEM (Condition Assessment for Machinery and Cargo Systems)

The results of condition assessment are clearly identified using a rating system.