Surveys and Certification Flashcards
What are the different types of survey?
- Initial survey: A complete examination before ship is put into service of all items relating to certificate
- Periodical survey: A complete examination of all items relating to a certificate to ensure satisfactory condition
- Renewal survey: A complete examination of all items relating to a certificate, leading to the issuing of a new certificate
- Intermediate survey: An inspection of specified items relating to a certificate to ensure they are in a satisfactory condition. Usually between year 2-3
- Annual survey: A general inspection of items relating to a certificate.
- Inspection of the outside of ships bottom
Discuss Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)
Standardizing surveys and certificate expiry dates so that only one survey needs to be completed, instead of multiple for each certificate. This adds flexibility, reduces the number of surveyors, survey time and paperwork, and therefore reducing costs. (MSN 1751)
- Maximum period of validity = 5 years
- To ensure flexibility, survey window opens 3 months before expiry.
- Certificates may also be extended for 3 months, for the duration of the voyage.
- A Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (CSSC) may also be issued, combining and in place of Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate or Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate
Discuss Alternative/Enhanced compliance schemes
Allows Flag States to delegate survey work to Recognised Organisations to minimise duplication of effort. The MCA will still retain an oversight through ACS inspections and ISM/ISPS/MLC audits.
The MCA have handed over all of the hardware certification to Recognised Organations but retaining control over the operational matters - ISM, ISPS and MLC
Under enhanced, everything is handed over to RO’s except for ISM
Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate
- 500GT
- Class
- 5 years
- Initial/annual/intermediate/renewal
Covers the inspection of the structure, hull, machinery and equipment, such as the arrangements, materials, scantlings, workmanship, boilers, steering gear, electrical installations etc.
Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
- 500GT
- Flag
- 5 years
- Initial/annual/periodic/renewal
Covers fire safety systems and appliances, LSA appliances except radio installations, shipborne navigation equipment, pilot embarkations, fire control plans, nautical publications, lights and shapes, means of making sound signals.
A record of equipment (Form E) should be permanently attached. Form E also contains information on whether ECDIS can be used as a primary means of navigation.
Survey
- Chief officer to inspect: Life jackets, immersion suits, fire extinguishers, fire doors, flares, pilot boarding arrangements, day shapes etc
- Ensure nav lights, echo sounder, radar, ships whistle functioning
- ECDIS up to date (if applicable)
Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate
- 300GT
- Class/flag
- 5 years
- Initial/periodic/renewal
A record of equipment (Form R) should be permanently attached which includes details of radio facilities onboard.
Covers radio installations including those used in Life Saving Appliances
Survey:
- Certificates available
- GMDSS checks completed
- GMDSS logbook up to date & GOC numbers in front cover
Cargo Ship Safety Certificate
- 500GT
- Class/flag
- 5 years
- Same survey requirements as above three
Combines all Safety construction/equipment/radio certificates
Accompanied by form C
Certificate of Registry
- Commercially registered >24m
- Flag
- Full term
Establishes the ships nationality and tonnages.
Stems from UNCLOS where it states flag states must issue documents to verify this.
Used for obtaining clearance in a foreign port, selling a vessel, obtaining finance or obtaining protection from a warship.
Contains:
- Name
- Official number, IMO number, Callsign
- Port of registry
- Type of ship
- Tonnages
- Year of build and make
- Ownership
If lost:
- Inform owner/management company
- Confirm owner and management company have informed refistar
- Owner completes duplicate certificate form (MSF 4742)
- Temporary certificates maybe available from British Consulate
- Contact agent/consulate at next port to inform them of loss
Minimum Safe Manning Document
- 500GT
- Flag
- Full term unless significant changes to operating pattern
Stems from SOLAS ch V. It states the minimum number of personnel to be carried at all times to ensure the safety of the vessel
Unique in the sense that the company will submit a proposal to the MCA based on the number of crew it deems necessary to safely man the vessel
Criteria when determining safe manning:
- Maintaining a safe navigational/engineering/radio watch
- Moor and unmoor the vessel safely
- Manage the safety functions of the ship
- Prevention of damage to the marine environment
- Provide medical care
- Maintain the security of the vessel
International Tonnage Certificate
- Commercially registered >24m
- Class/flag
- Full term unless signficant changes to ship made
Stems from International Tonnage Convention and establishes the tonnage of the vessel which is used for the registration of the vessel, or to determine fees ie Suez Canal etc
International Load Line Certificate
- Commercial vessels >24m
- Class
- 5 Years
- Initial/annual/renewal
Certifies that the ship meets the required standards for buoyancy, stability, and safety by establishing the ship’s freeboard marks.
The International Convention on Load Lines establishes rules and regulations for determining the minimum freeboard of ships based on their type, size, construction, and intended operations.
Will be accompanied by the Conditions of Assignment
Survey:
- Stability book ready
- Ensure vessel complies with Conditions of Assignment
- Instruct Chief Officer to look at: Hatches, combings, water tight doors, scuppers, freeing ports, guard rails, vents, shell doors - anything related to watertight integrity
- Surveyor will take measurement of the ships structure, inspect load line markings, watertight integrity and stability calculations
Explain the term “Conditions of Assignment”
Free boards are computed assuming ship to be a completely enclosed and water tight / weather tight envelop. The convention then goes onto recognize the practical need for opening in the ship and prescribes means of protection and closure of such openings. These are called condition of assignment since the assignment of computed free board is conditional upon the prescribed means of protection and closure of openings such as hatchways, doorways, ventilation, air pipes, scuppers, etc.
Document of Compliance
- 500GT
- Flag
- 5 years
- Initial/annual/renewal
Issued to the management company when the shore-side aspects of the SMS are found to comply with the ISM code.
Copy of the certificate to be kept onboard. Not required to be authenticated.
Safety Management Certificate
- 500GT
- Flag
- 5 years
- Initial/annual (company to verify)/intermediate/renewal
Verifies that the ship operates in accordance with the companies safety management system and the ism code
International Ship Security Certificate
- 500GT
- Flag
- 5 years
- Initial/intermediate/renewal
- Risk assessment/SSP also reviewed at 5 years
Verifies the ship is operating in compliance with SOLAS ch11-2 and the ISPS code
- CSO completes Ship Security assessment and develops plan
- Ship implements SSP
- Flag verifies SSP and issues ISSC once all found to be in compliance with the ISPS code
