1.1 Certification and Documentation (Challenge Questions)

Question 1

Apart from the basic certificates/documents required to be carried on all cargo ships, list the additional certificates required to be carried on an oil tanker. (Hint: You can find the answer in the IMO list).

Answer 1

Certificate of insurance or other financial security in respect of civil liability for oil pollution damage.

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

Question 2

List the additional certificates/documents required to be carried on a chemical tanker.

Answer 2

• Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk. (Note: The Code is mandatory under Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 for chemical tankers constructed before 1 July 1986.)
• International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk. (Note: The Code is mandatory under both chapter VII of SOLAS 1974 and Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 for chemical tankers constructed on or after 1 July 1986.)

Question 3

List the additional certificates/documents required to be carried by vessels operating in polar waters.

Answer 3

• Polar Ship Certificate
• Polar Water Operational Manual (PWOM)

Question 4

List the additional certificates/documents required to be carried by an offshore support vessel.

Answer 4

• Offshore Supply Vessel Document of Compliance
• Certificate of Fitness for Offshore Support Vessels

Question 5

For a vessel over 15 years old, where and how often should the bottom inspection be carried out? (Hint: You can find the answer on Pg 16 of the IMO guide on HSSC from the web resource below).

Answer 5

Resolution A.1186(33), 4.6
Special consideration should be given before ships of 15 years of age and over other than bulk carriers and oil tankers are permitted to have such surveys afloat.

Inspection of the outside of the ship’s bottom of bulk carriers and oil tankers of 15 years of age and over should be carried out with the ship in dry dock.

Inspections with the ship afloat should only be carried out when the conditions are satisfactory and the proper equipment and suitably trained staff are available.

2 inspections during a 5 year period. The period between the 2 is not longer than 36 months period.

Question 6

Differentiate between “statutory”, “mandatory / obligatory” and “trading” certificates.

Answer 6

There is one principle difference between statutory certificates and mandatory certificates.

Statutory certificates are required by law (statute). Sailing a ship to sea without any of these certificates will be against the law. Most of these are based on international maritime laws applicable to all international waters.

Mandatory certificates are mandatory for a particular trade or for other particular reasons such as a flag state / national requirement. For example, “Certificate of Financial Responsibility” (COFR) is mandatory for the vessel trading in USA. For a Non-US flagged ship, it is not statutory to have COFR, but it is mandatory for entering and operating in US waters. Mandatory certificates are also called obligatory certificates.

All the certificates that are required for uninterrupted trading of the vessel (statutory and mandatory certificates) are called trading certificates.

Question 7

List TEN (10) statutory certificates required to be carried onboard a 20,000 GT cargo ship trading internationally.

Answer 7

Any 10 from the below list:
1. Certificate of Registry
2. International Tonnage Certificate
3. International Load Line Certificate
4. Safety Management Certificate and copy of Document of Compliance (if applicable)
5. Cargo ship safety certificate (combined or 3 individual certificates)
6. International Ship Security Certificate
7. International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
8. International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate
9. International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate
10. Safe manning certificate
11.International Energy Efficiency Certificate
12.Certificates for masters, officers or ratings
13.International Anti-fouling System Certificate
14.International Ballast Water Management Certificate
15.Ship sanitation certificate (Deratting certificate)
16. Civil liability certificate (insurance certificates)

Question 8

List a few sources from which the IMO list of certificates and documents can be obtained by the master.

Answer 8

The master needs to obtain the latest list of certificates and documents from
a. Flag State Authority (FSA)
b. Classification society
c. Vessel owner / operator.
d. Approved agent (for specific national requirements)

Master can also cross check this information from the following sources:
a. IMO website
b. Licenced agents (such as Regs4ships)
c. In the Annex section of latest editions of IMO publications such as SOLAS, MARPOL etc

Question 9

What is a flag state exemption and a condition of class?

Answer 9

Flag State Exemption, major or critical failure of equipment.

Condition of Class, minor failure of equipment.

Question 10

With the help of an example, describe the meaning of “Condition of Class (COC)”.

Answer 10

Condition of Class (COC) is issued by the classification society when the ship does not meet one or more of its class requirements.

The ship is still permitted to operate, but it is a notice to the owner, underwriter and master that there is a defect with the vessel.

In most circumstances, the COC will have a time frame in which the defect must be corrected, sometimes within a few months or until the next docking, depending on the severity of the defect.

Example: A minor ship collision resulted in a dent or hole on ship’s side. To repair this, the ship needs to sail for few days to arrive at nearest/economical dry dock. Here, the class issues a COC which permits the vessel to proceed to the dry dock for repairs.

1. Repair at next port within 1 month.
2. Material
3. Evidence

Marine Notice 14-2022 gives a case study of dispensation.

Question 11

Briefly describe the meaning of “harmonised survey regime”.

Answer 11

The HSSC streamlines and synchronizes the main convention certificate validity to a common expiray date.

This saves cost, time and hassle to both the shipowners and the surveyors.

The regimes synchronizes all the certificates to a validity not exceeding 5 years, except for PSSC which is expires yearly.

Question 12

Briefly describe the role of the “Flag State Authority” in the implementation of national and international laws on vessels flying its flag.

Answer 12

The flag state signs and ratifies the IMO conventions after amending national laws to incorporate at least the minimum terms of those conventions.

It is the flag state that must ensure that ships under its registry comply with the national and international laws. The flag state achieves this through the statutory survey process.

Question 13

List FIVE (5) classification societies authorised by AMSA to survey and issue statutory certification.

Answer 13

Any 5 from the below list:
1. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
2. Bureau Veritas (BV)
3. Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
4. Germanischer Lloyd (GL)
5. Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (LR)
6. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK)
7. China Registry (CCS)
8. Korean Registry (KR)
9. Italian Registry (RINA)

Question 14

IOPP, Form A and Form B contents

Answer 14

Form A, records for construction and equipment for all ships other than oil tankers.
1. Particulars of ship
2. Equipment for the control of oil discharge from
machinery space bilges and oil fuel tanks
3. Means for retention and disposal of oil residues (sludge) (regulation 12)
and oily bilge water holding tank(s)*
4. Standard discharge connection
5. Shipboard oil/marine pollution emergency plan
6. Exemption
7. Equivalents
8. Compliance with Polar Code

(Particular of the ship, oil fitering equipment, retention of sludge and SOPEP/SMPEP.)

Form B, records for construction and equipment for Oil tankers
- ODMCS
1. Particulars of ship
2. Equipment for the control of oil discharge from
machinery space bilges and oil fuel tanks
3. Means for retention and disposal of oil residues (sludge) (regulation 12)
and oily bilge water holding tank(s)*
5. Construction
6. Retention of Oil onboard
7. Pumping, piping and discharge arrangements
8. Shipboard oil/marine pollution emergency plan
9.Exemption
10. Equivalents
11. Compliance with Polar Code

(Particular of the ship, ODMCS, COW and STS oil transfer @ sea.)

Question 15

Validity of SEC Certificate and equipment covered

Answer 15

SEC - Safety Equipment Certificate

All other vessels except for passenger vessels, the certificate is valid for 5 years. For passenger vessels, the certificate is only valid for 1 year due to more lives at stake.)

LSA:
Lifeboats, davits and winches
Inflatable boats
Rescue boats
Liferafts
Lifejackets
Immersion suits and TPAs

Distress signals:
Rockets and signals
Hand held VHFs
EXPIRBs
SARTs
Signal lantern

Navigational equipment:
Echo sounder
Gyro compass
Magnetic compass
Sound signals
Shapes
Navigational lights

Fire fighting:
Fire control plans
Fire extinguishers
Fixed fire systems
IG systems
Fireman’s outfits
Fire detection and alarm system

Power:
Emergency controls
Emergency power supply

Miscellaneous:
Stability data
Pilot ladder

Question 16

What happens if a liferaft is lost and what actions can you take as a Master?

Answer 16

If the ship loses a liferaft, the ship considered unseaworthy. Due to the liferate being included in the list.

As a Master, I will have to inform several parties by email.

The parties include:
- Ship Operators
- Charterers
- Flag State
- Class
- P&I Club

Before the class does a survey, it is important to notify the ship operator of any defects or missing critical equipments.

Question 17

Contents of Form R

Answer 17

VHF radio installation
DSC encoder
DSC watch receiver
Radiotelephony
MF radio installation
DSC encoder
DSC watch receiver
Radiotelephony
MF/HF radio installation
DSC encoder
DSC watch receiver
Radiotelephony
Direct-printing telegraphy
Recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station
Secondary means of alerting
Facilities for reception of maritime safety information
NAVTEX receiver
EGC receiver
HF direct-printing radiotelegraph receiver
Satellite EPIRB
COSPAS-SARSAT
VHF EPIRB
Ship’s search and rescue locating device
Radar search and rescue transponder (SART)
AIS search and rescue transmitter (AIS-SART)

Question 18

What is SOLAS Chapter IX related to and how is it implemented onboard?

Answer 18

ISM, International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention

• Drills and Trainings
• Designated Person In-charge
• Contigency plan

Question 19

Find differences between discharge of oil from machinery spaces to cargo space.

Answer 19

Oily water from machinery space, 15ppm.

Oily water from deck space, <30L per Nm.

Question 20

What is the difference between MLC and STCW?

Answer 20

MLC - Everyone.
STCW - Watchkeepers.

Question 21

If Vessel A proceeds from Country A to Country B, would Vessel A be detained in Country B if she is not following MLC?

Answer 21

i) If Country B does not support MLC, Vessel A will not be detained.
ii) If Country B supports MLC, the it is up to Country B to accept or reject Vessel A’s flag state exemption.

Solution:
i) As a Master, to be proactive and send the flag state exemption document in advance to country B and see if they accept.
ii) If Country B does not accept, decision can be made to change destinations to another country.

Question 22

How would you know which class the vessel is under?

Answer 22

• Class Cert.
• Loadline on the ship’s side.

Question 23

Purpose of Marine Order 31

Answer 23

Marine Order 31: SOLAS and Non-SOLAS certification

This Marine Order:
(i) prescribes matters in relation to the issue of safety certificates for regulated Australian vessels.
(ii) provides requirements for foreign vessels including certification.

Question 24

What is the definition of anniversary date?

Answer 24

The day and the month of each year that corresponds to the date of expiry of the certificate.

Question 25

Definition of Classification society and Certificate of classification.

Answer 25

Classification society means a non-government organisation that:
(a) establishes and maintains technical standards for the construction and operation of vessels and offshore structures
(b) verifies compliance with its rules and regulations.

Certificate of Classification, indicates the class the vessel is registered with and the class has surveyed the vessel according to it’s rules and has satisfied them. Only valid when all items under the class are surveyed and maintained properly.

Question 26

SOLAS Certificate requirement for Australian vessels.

Answer 26

A regulated Australian vessel must have a safety certificate of a kind specified in Schedule 1 in accordance with Regulation 12 of Chapter I or Regulation 10 of Chapter VIII of SOLAS.

Note 1 A cargo vessel >300 GT must have a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate.
Note 2 It is an offence under sections 103 and 104 of the Navigation Act if a vessel is taken to sea without a safety certificate of a specified kind in force for the vessel.

(2) A certificate specified in Schedule 1 is also referred to as a SOLAS certificate in this Marine Order.

Question 27

Non-SOLAS Certificates definition

Answer 27

(1) A certificate comes into force on the day specified in the certificate, and if no day is so specified, on the day which it is issued.

(2) However, for a vessel that has an existing non-SOLAS certificate that has not expired, the new certificate comes into force on completion of the renewal survey.

(3) A non-SOLAS certificate remains in force for the period specified in the following table for the kind of certificate mentioned unless a shorter period is specified in the certificate.

Question 28

Notification of alterations, major renewal or repair on vessel

Answer 28

AMSA and each issuing body must be informed of an alteration to a regulated Australian vessel is within 7 days of making the alteration.

The owner or master of a regulated Australian vessel must also inform AMSA and the issuing body of the details of any major renewal or major repair on the vessel within 7 days of completion of the renewal or repair.

Question 29

Reporting of defects on a regulated Australian vessel

Answer 29

If a defect is discovered on a regulated Australian vessel, the defect must be reported:
(a) at the earliest opportunity to AMSA
(b) if the vessel is in port of another SOLAS Contracting Government — immediately to the appropriate authority of the SOLAS Contracting Government.

Question 30

Name at least 10 Conventions.

Answer 30

1. SOLAS
2. MARPOL
3. STCW
4. MLC
5. Load Line
6. FAL
7. COLREG
8. BWM
9. CLC
10. Tonnage

Question 31

Which certificates does not have an expiry date?

Answer 31

1. Registry
2. Tonnage

Question 32

Difference between flag state dispensation and exemption?

Answer 32

A flag state dispensation is a temporary allowance granted by an administration to permit the ship to proceed without being in full compliance with a specific convention.

A flag state exemption is an excemption granted by the flag admin allowing a ship to operate without meeting certain requirements.

Question 33

Which vessel are suppose to carry CSM?

Answer 33

Any vessels that need to secure cargo other than tankers or bulk carriers.

Question 34

ORB 1 & 2

Answer 34

The first part of the oil record book deals with machinery space operations for all ships.

• Ballasting or cleaning of fuel oil tanks.
• Discharge of ballast containing an oily mixture or cleaning water from fuel oil tanks.
• Disposal of oil residue.
• Discharge overboard or disposal otherwise of bilge water that has accumulated in machinery spaces.

The second part of the oil record book is for cargo/ballast operations and this part only needs to be filled out by crew members aboard oil tankers.

• Loading of oil cargo.
• Internal transfer of oil cargo during voyage.
• Unloading of oil cargo.
• Ballasting of cargo tanks and dedicated clean ballast tanks.
• Cleaning of cargo tanks including crude oil washing.
• Discharge of ballast except from segregated ballast tanks.
• Discharge of water from slop tanks.
• Closing of all applicable valves or similar devices after slop tank discharge operations.
• Closing of valves necessary for isolation of dedicated clean ballast tanks from cargo and stripping lines after slop tank discharge operations.
• Disposal of oil residue.

Question 35

Define P&I.

Answer 35

Protection and Indemnity (P & I) clubs are mutual assurance associations which offer shipowners insurance against liabilities which are normally outside the scope of Marine
Insurance Policies.

• It is a non-profit making organisation.
• Protect - means protecting hull and machinery against the ¼ collision liability.
• Indemnity - means covering expenses due to claims like cargo, pollution, personal etc

Question 36

Purpose of the Continuous Synopsis Record.

Answer 36

To provide an onboard record of the history of the vessel with respect to its flag, owner, operator, charterer, classification society, safety management, and security activities.

Only the ship’s Administration can issue a ship’s CSR document.