KUP 38 Ability to state which parts of the ship shall be inspected each time in order to cover all parts within a given period of time

Regular and systematic ship inspections are crucial for maintaining vessel safety, ensuring operational efficiency, and preventing costly breakdowns or accidents. However, the sheer size and complexity of modern ships can make it challenging to inspect every component in a single visit. Therefore, a structured inspection plan is essential to cover all areas within a defined timeframe.
This KUP outlines a systematic approach to ship inspections. The lesson highlights the critical areas and components that require regular attention. By understanding the importance of each inspection point and establishing a well-organized schedule, ship owners and operators can optimize their maintenance efforts, minimise downtime, and enhance the overall safety and performance of their vessels.

Learning objectives

Inspections

Regular ship surveys and inspections are crucial for maintaining safety and seaworthiness. As maritime laws become stricter, seafaring vessels must undergo numerous inspections to meet the minimum standards for continued operation. Annual surveys conducted by classification societies are vital for a ship’s trading eligibility. These surveys ensure ongoing compliance with international regulations and certifications. Various certificates require yearly endorsements after class surveyors verify that the vessel’s condition, functionality, operation, and maintenance meet the requirements. Upon verification, the surveyor endorses the certificates for the annual survey. These annual surveys typically include Safety Equipment, International Oil Pollution Prevention, International Air Pollution Prevention, and Safety Radio Surveys.

In preparation for these surveys, companies typically hire independent service providers authorized to conduct annual servicing and maintenance on equipment such as fire extinguishers, fixed fire extinguishing systems, foam compound analysis, and lifeboat equipment and launching appliances.

Annual Inspections

Annual servicing and inspection of equipment systems can be performed by various institutions such as accredited laboratory, service company, maker or manufacturer trained personnel, shore-based maintenance provider, class approved service applier, and service personnel authorised by the flag. The criteria for inspection are being laid by classification societies acting as recognised organisations on behalf of flag states so that requisite certificates are revalidated or issued in line with international regulations. Every flag has streamlined its requirements, and thus accordingly, the classification society develops checklists of inspection programs to harmonise the same.

Additional survey

An additional survey may be conducted if a ship’s class status is compromised or a major equipment failure occurs that jeopardizes its safety and seaworthiness. Examples include hull breaches, propulsion or steering failures requiring salvage, significant steel replacement, systemic safety failures leading to accidents, OWS malfunction, or any situation invalidating a certificate issued by the classification society.

Following repairs or corrective actions, the classification society performs a comprehensive inspection/survey before reissuing or re-endorsing the relevant certificate.

Dry dock survey

Dry dock surveys or intermediate surveys/inspections are comprehensive assessments that go beyond annual surveys. They involve a thorough examination of various functional and operational aspects of the ship, as well as verifying the maintenance routines for onboard equipment.

Safety survey

A safety construction survey focuses on the structural integrity of the vessel. It assesses the extent of corrosion on the deck and hull, examines the condition of watertight doors, bilge pumping and drainage systems, and evaluates fire protection equipment, including both fixed and portable fire fighting equipment. The condition of deck steam lines, anchor chains and cables, and emergency escape routes are also checked.

Before assigning a load line, a load line survey is conducted. This survey evaluates the vessel’s structural strength, looking for cracks or deformations in the hull, ensuring that hatches, machinery space openings, and other deck openings are watertight. Deck lines, load lines, and draft marks are also painted during this survey.

A cargo ship safety equipment survey focuses on the condition and management of onboard safety systems. Muster lists, lifejacket donning instructions, survival craft launching instructions, and muster station information are updated and posted in designated areas. Emergency muster station markings, as well as the condition of lifeboats, their equipment, and launching appliances, are also verified.

Fire control plans are verified for their locations, and fire detection systems, along with main and emergency fire pumps, are inspected for proper functioning. Fire hoses, nozzles, hose boxes, international shore connections, and fixed firefighting equipment are also assessed for their condition and readiness. Portable fire extinguishers are checked, along with their maintenance logs and inspection records. Emergency lights, alarms, fire main system pressure, isolation valves, and foam turrets are all tested for operability. Fireman’s outfits and breathing apparatus are also inspected for readiness.

Classification societies, often acting on behalf of flag states, conduct these surveys and inspections. Based on their findings, the flag state authorizes the issuance of various certificates required under SOLAS, MARPOL, Tonnage, MLC, and other international conventions. These societies typically use a matrix or survey checklist detailing the checks, maintenance, and inspection records for various onboard equipment and appliances. These routines are either manufacturer-specified or follow weekly, monthly, six-monthly, annual, or five-yearly schedules, as per convention requirements or IMO circulars.

Examples include hydrostatic testing and inspection of emergency escape breathing devices (EEBDs) and annual checks of gangways and embarkation ladders.

The most rigorous of these inspections are the 5-yearly dry dock surveys, which entail thorough inspections and testing according to classification society guidelines. Tankers and gas carriers, due to their hazardous cargoes, are often subject to additional Terminal Safety Inspections. A terminal safety manager inspects the ship to ensure it meets terminal safety standards, focusing on the operational readiness of safety, navigation, propulsion, and steering gear. This confirms the vessel’s preparedness for emergencies before, during, and after cargo transfer. Deficiencies can lead to the ship’s rejection or unberthing for rectification, and repeated issues might result in blacklisting.

Internal audits

The International Management Code (ISM) mandates a Safety Management System with procedures for internal audits and management review. Ship managers, operators, owners, or authorized third parties conduct internal safety audits to verify compliance with the SMS and pollution prevention measures. These audits assess the condition of the ship and equipment between surveys, ensuring adherence to documented procedures and instructions through company-specific permits, checklists, and guides.

Additionally, internal audits verify that procedures are in place for safe navigation, operation, and maintenance of critical shipboard equipment. These audits review and check the documentation of onboard drills, safety familiarization, and training programs. Furthermore, the procedures and documentation for recording and reporting non-conformities, accidents, and hazardous occurrences are also examined to ensure they align with the company’s established guidelines.

External audits

Audits incorporate a review mechanism, allowing the shipboard management team to propose changes or revisions to company-established procedures. External safety audits, often called Annual ISM Audits by the flag state, follow a similar structure to internal audits. These audits assess a ship’s ability to meet specific safety and pollution prevention requirements, leading to the issuance of a Safety Management Certificate, subject to annual, intermediate, or additional verification.

During an audit, crew members and officers are questioned about their familiarity with shipboard equipment, company guidelines, and ISM Code policies. In the tanker industry, OCIMF SIRE inspections (Ship Inspection Report Programme) are common, aiming to improve access to ship inspection data and promote safety. These inspections use Vessel Inspection Questionnaires (VIQ) for oil tankers and CDI checklists for chemical tankers, focusing on various operational, management, and regulatory aspects. Results are then shared on the SIRE website.

Port State Control (PSC) inspections

Port State Control inspections are conducted by authorities to ensure that foreign-flagged ships entering their ports comply with international regulations. If serious deficiencies are found, the port state may detain the ship from sailing until they are rectified. Port states often collaborate through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to conduct Concentrated Inspection Campaigns (CICs) on specific shipboard operations, procedures, or equipment. For instance, the Paris and Indian Ocean MOUs currently focus on Enclosed Space Entry procedures. Deck officers should be aware that most inspections and surveys scrutinize compliance with regulations and procedures outlined in various conventions like SOLAS and MARPOL, along with recommendations from codes like ISM, ISPS, FFA, and LSA. Therefore, staying current with procedures and maintaining the readiness of equipment under their purview is the crucial first step in preparing for any survey or inspection.

Harmonized Survey

On February 3, 2000, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented a harmonized survey system for ships. This system was established to address the issues arising from non-aligned survey dates and intervals, encompassing international shipping regulations from various codes and conventions, including:

• The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974
• The International Convention on Load Lines (LL), 1966
• The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended by the Protocol of 1978 – MARPOL 73/78
• The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code)
• Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code)
• Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code).

This harmonization aims to streamline the survey process and ensure consistent compliance with safety and environmental standards across the maritime industry.

Features

1. Standard Interval for Harmonized Surveys: Ships are subject to a standard interval of one year between harmonized surveys, which may include:
   • Initial Survey: A thorough inspection of all relevant items before the ship enters service, ensuring they are in satisfactory condition and suitable for their intended purpose.
   • Periodical Survey: A detailed examination to verify that the items meet the necessary standards and are fit for the intended service.
   • Renewal Survey: Similar to the periodical survey, but it results in the issuance of a new certificate.
   • Intermediate Survey: A focused inspection of specified items.
   • Annual Survey: A general review to confirm that the items are maintained and remain suitable for the service for which the ship is designated.
   • Additional Survey: Either a general or partial inspection following significant repairs, damage, or when substantial repairs or renewals are made.
2. Certificate Validity: The validity period for all passenger ship certificates is set to a maximum of one year, while cargo ship certificates can be valid for up to five years.
3. Certificate Extension: Cargo ship certificates under the harmonized survey system may be extended for three months, and one month for short voyages. The validity of the new certificate starts from the expiry date of the previous certificate.
4. Inspections of the Ship’s Bottom: At least two inspections of the ship’s bottom are required within a five-year period, with no more than thirty-six months between inspections.
5. Unified Certification System: The system introduces a consolidated cargo ship safety certificate that replaces existing safety equipment, safety construction, and safety radio certificates.
6. Inspection Schedule: The harmonized system eliminates unscheduled inspections, making annual surveys mandatory.
7. These features are designed to streamline the survey and inspection processes, enhancing safety and operational efficiency across the maritime industry.

Surveys under the Harmonized Survey System

Surveys conducted in accordance with the harmonized survey system for ships aim to synchronize the intervals between surveys for all valid certificates issued to marine vessels. This harmonized system is designed to streamline the timing of surveys, ensuring that ships do not have to undergo one survey shortly after completing another for a different certification requirement.

Certificates

The harmonized system of classification for ships encompasses a variety of certificates, which vary depending on the type of ship, including:

• Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, including Record of Equipment
• Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate
• Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, including Record of Equipment
• Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate, including Record of Equipment
• Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, including Record of Equipment
• International Load Lines Certificate
• International Load Lines Exemption Certificate
• International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
• International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
• International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
• International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk
• Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk

This system simplifies the regulatory framework for ship safety and environmental compliance, making it easier for ship operators to manage their certification obligations efficiently.

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