Surveys and Certification

Question 1

What are the different types of survey?

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

Discuss Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Discuss Alternative/Enhanced compliance schemes

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate

Answer 4

• 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.

Question 5

Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate

Answer 5

• 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)

Question 6

Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Cargo Ship Safety Certificate

Answer 7

• 500GT
• Class/flag
• 5 years
• Same survey requirements as above three

Combines all Safety construction/equipment/radio certificates

Accompanied by form C

Question 8

Certificate of Registry

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

Minimum Safe Manning Document

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

International Tonnage Certificate

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

International Load Line Certificate

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

Explain the term “Conditions of Assignment”

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Document of Compliance

Answer 13

• 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.

Question 14

Safety Management Certificate

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

International Ship Security Certificate

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Certificate of Class

Answer 16

• Commercially registered >24m
• Class
• 5 years
• Annual/intermediate/renewal/docking/special

It certifies that ship is designed, constructed and maintained in compliance with the rules and regulations set out by the classification society.

Itconfirms that the vessel is structurally sound, built from the correct materials and verifies the reliability and function of the propulsion and steering systems, power generation and auxiliary systems.

If the ship was not in class, it would be seen as unseaworthy in the eyes of the court, insurers and flag state. It would therefore lose all insurance, have her statutory certificates revoked and would therefore legally not be allowed to sail.

Surveys:
Special surveys at 5 years include an examination of the hull, structure and fittings to ensure they remain in compliance with the conditions set by class, and are in a servicable condition until the next special survey.

Question 17

Continuous Synopsis Record

Answer 17

• 500GT
• Flag
• Permanent

The Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) is a form of log book that stays with the ship for its whole life, and records all changes of owner, flag, name, Class, ISM, etc. It must remain onboard at all times, even if the ship is sold, transferred to another flag state etc

Made up of three parts:
Form 1: This is the Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) issued by the MCA. It provides the latest up to date record of ship’s details.

Form 2 (MSF 5623 C): Amendments to the CSR

Form 3 (MSF 5623 C): Index of Amendments to CSR

Existing ships on the UK Ship Register with changing details:
- If any changes are made, complete relevant parts of form 1 and 2
- Attach forms 1 & 2 to current CSR (form 1) and send to the RSS.
- The RSS will return the new CSR with the next consecutive number

• If any data entered on the current CSR (Form 1) requires amendment, please complete the changes required on Form 2 and Form 3 (MSF 5623 C).
• Attach the completed original Form 2 & Form 3 to the latest CSR (Form 1) on the ship and email a copy of Forms 1, 2 & 3 to RSS.
• RSS will issue a new CSR (Form 1) with the next consecutive number.

Question 18

LYC Certificate of Compliance

Answer 18

• Commercially registered >24m
• Flag
• 5 years
• Initial/annual/renewal

Attests vessel complies with the provisions set out in the Large Yacht Code

Question 19

International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate

Answer 19

• Tankers >150GT or commercially registered vessels >400GT
• Class
• Valid for 5 years
• Initial/annual/intermediate/renewal

Certifies that the ship has been surveyed and in compliance with Annex 1 of MARPOL. This includes ships structure, fittings, pipework, machinery,filtering equipment, oily water separator etc.

Question 20

International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate

Answer 20

• 400GT or >15 persons onboard
• Class
• 5 years
• Initial/annual/renewal

Certifies that the ship complies with Annex 4 of MARPOL. Includes sewage treatment plant, comminuter or holding tank discharge pipelines etc.

Question 21

International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate

Answer 21

• 400GT
• Class
• 5 Years
• Initial/annual/intermediate/renewal

Certifies that the ship has been surveyed and complies with annex 6 of MARPOL. Ensures that the onboard systems, fittings and arrangements adequately control Ozone Depleting Substances, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Oxides (SOx)

Question 22

International Antifouling System Certificate

Answer 22

• 400GT
• Class
• No expiry
• Resurveyed when more than 25% of antifoul has been changed

Stems from International Antifouling Convention and ensures antifouling paint used contains no additives which are harmful to the environment

Question 23

Wreck Removal Certificate

Answer 23

• 300GT and over must maintain insurance to cover the locating, marking and removal of wrecks
• Also required to carry a certificate issued by a state party attesting insurance is in place

Question 24

MLC Certificate (including DMLC I and DMLC II)

Answer 24

• 500GT
• Flag
• 5 years
• Annual/intermediate/renewal

DMLC part I
Issued by the flag state and is a declaration on how the flag state will comply with the Maritime Labour Convention via its laws. Covers minimum age, medical certification, qualifications of seafarers, SEAs, use of recruitment companies, HOWR, manning levels etc.

DMLC part II
Issued by the shipowner and is a declaration on how the ship will comply with the Maritime Labour Convention. Covers minimum age, medical certification, qualifications of seafarers, SEAs, use of recruitment companies, HOWR, manning levels etc.

MLC Certificate
Issued once surveyor confirms compliance with Part I and II

Surveys
- Certificates available
- Crew certification available
- SEAs available and provided to all crew
- HOWR up to date
- Crew areas & facilities are clean & fit for purpose

Question 25

Financial Responsibility Towards Crew Liabilities

Answer 25

- 500GT - Flag - Fullterm **Two Certificates to be displayed:** **Financial security for repatration/abandoned crew:** - Ensures coverage is in place in the event crew is abandonded. Covers repatriation, food/water, accommodation, fuel etc **Contractual payments relating to injury/death** - Ensures coverage in the event of injury/death and claim made as per SEA requirements. Paid in full without delay, no pressure to accept less, without prejudice etc.

Question 26

Bunker Convention Certificate

Answer 26

- 1000GT - Flag - 1 year or duration of insurance Stems from International Bunker Convention which ensures shipowners have insurance in place to cover the accidental spillage of all types of oil, causing damage to the marine environment Insurance must be verified by flag before a Bunkers Convention certificate can be issued

Question 27

Ship Sanitation Certificate

Answer 27

- Ships on International voyages - Port Health Authority - 6 months Two certificates: Ship Sanitation Control Exemption certificate which is issued to the ship after it has been inspected and no evidence of public health risks were found on board. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate when evidence of a public health risk including sources of infection and/or contamination were detected on board. The control certificate records the evidence found and the control measures. Inspections will cover: * Galley and food areas; * Pantry and Storage Rooms; * Holds; * Officer and crew accommodation; * Drinking water; * Sewage system; * Ballast tanks; * Waste (including Medical waste); * Standing water; * Engine room; * Medical facilities; and