Surveys, Certification and Dry Docking

 

Surveys, Certification and Dry Docking

Learning Objectives

After completing this topic you will be able to:

• Differentiate between Statutory and Mandatory surveys
• Explain:

1. Initial, Intermediate, Annual  and renewal survey
2. Harmonized system of Surveys
3. Enhanced Surveys
4. Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS)
5. Condition Assessment Programme

Statutory and Mandatory Surveys and Certificates

A survey can be termed to be holistic examination of a marine vessel or structure to assess, monitor and report on their condition with respect to an established Convention, Statute, Rule, Regulation or Protocol. In particular to determine whether the vessel is being built and operated in a manner that is safe for use in the conditions it is designed for, and its compliance to both statutory and mandatory rules and regulations. They also endeavour to determine if and what maintenance or repairs may be needed or are likely to be required in the near future. The end product of a survey is, certification or the denial of certification if the survey process finds deviations from regulatory processes.

Surveys are required under Flag /port state statutes, IACS Rules, Conventions, Protocols, Codes, Rules and Regulations.

When the classification survey is taken as evidence of compliance with the corresponding statutory requirement, e.g. Safety equipment, it is given the status of a statutory survey on behalf of the flag Administration, with the Classification Society being considered to be a Recognised Organisation.

Statutory

Statutory certificates/ surveys are those that are required to be carried on board a ship as per the formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs the flag state. In the case of India they are the Rules and Regulations under the enabling legislation i.e. The Merchant Shipping Act. A survey resulting in the issue of such certification is called a statutory survey.

This survey/ certification process is carried out by the Flag state surveyors or by a Recognized Organisation (RO), which is usually a Classification Society with membership in IACS.

Mandatory

Mandatory certificates/ surveys are those that are required to be carried on board as per the Conventions, Protocols, Resolutions and Codes of The IMO and Class Rules. These are required by ships which trade internationally and for insurance purposes.

As with statutory certificates the process that initiates issuance of the certificate is a survey.

It should be noted that Statutes originate from the acceptance of IMO Codes, Convention and Protocols. Therefore a Statutory list and a Mandatory list of certificates will have a lot in common.

Obligatory

Obligatory certificate are those that are required by a port state with which the vessel is trading

List of Mandatory certificates and documentation:

The 2013 list of Mandatory certificates as per FAL.2/Circ.127 MEPC.1/Circ.817 MSC.1/Circ.1462 is as under. Not all of them require Surveys, but for those that do they are considered mandatory. (Offshore, special vessels and aircraft are not included).

MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT ; UNCLOS

1. Certificate of Registry. Permanent.

SOLAS Convention

2. Passenger Ship Safety Certificate. Validity 1 year.

3. Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate. Validity 5 years.

4. Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate. Validity 5 years.

5. Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate. Validity 5 years.

6. Cargo Ship Safety Certificate in lieu of the above 3 certificates. Validity 5 years.

7. Exemption certificate for the above certificates. Validity as stated .

8. Record of Equipment for Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form P).

9. Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (Form E).

10. Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate (Form R).

11. Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (Form C).

12. Periodical Testing of Inert Gas System and Fire Detection and Alarm System.

13. Periodical Servicing of Portable Fire Extinguisher.

14. Periodical Servicing of Inflatable Liferaft, Inflatable Life Jacket, Marine Evacuation System and Hydrostatic Release Unit, every 12 to 17 months.

15. Periodical Servicing of Launching Appliances and On-Load Release Gear in accordance with prescribed maintenance schedule.

16. Certificate of approval of lifeboat. Permanent.

17. Certificate of approval of navigation lights. Permanent.

18. Periodical Testing of EPIRB every 12 to 17 months.

19. Minimum Safe Manning Document. Expiry date decided by the Flag State.

20. Certificate of Compliance for VDR.

21. Certificate of test report of AIS.

22. Document of Compliance for carrying Dangerous Goods in packages.

23. Document of Authorisation for carrying Bulk Grain.

24. International Certificate of Fitness for Chemical Tanker.

25. International Certificate of Fitness for Gas Carrier.

26. Certificate of Fitness for Ship carrying INF Cargo.

27. Copy of Document of Compliance (DOC) for Shipping Company. Validity 5 years.

28. Safety Management Certificate (SMC). Validity 5 years.

29. Interim DOC. Validity 12 months.

30. Interim SMC. Validity 6 months.

31. Ship Security Certificate. Validity 5 years.

32. Polar Ship Certificate. Validity 5 years

MARPOL Convention

33. Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate. Validity 5 years.

34. Record of Construction and Equipment for IOPP Certificate (Form A for ship other than tanker and Form B for tanker).

35. Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk. Validity ≤ 5 years.

36. Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate. Validity 5 years.

37. Approval of Sewage Treatment Plant.

38. Air Pollution Prevention Certificate. Validity 5 years.

39. Record of Construction and Equipment for IAPP Certificate.

40. Energy Efficiency Certificate. Permanent.

LOAD LINE Convention

41. Load Line Certificate. Validity 5 years.

42. Load Line Exemption certificate. Validity as stated.

TONNAGE Convention

43. Tonnage certificate. Permanent.

COLREG

44. Certificates for the navigation lights. Permanent.

45. Certificate for the whistle. Permanent.

ANTI-FOULING SYSTEMS Convention

46. Anti-Fouling System Certificate. Permanent.

SPECIAL TRADE PASSENGER SHIP Convention

47. Special Trade Passenger Ship Safety Certificate. Validity 1 year.

48. Special Trade Passenger Ship Space Certificate. Validity 1 year.

49. Certificate “B”. Valid for one voyage.

BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT Convention

50. Ballast Water Management Certificate. Validity 5 years.

MARITIME LABOUR Convention

51. Maritime Labour Certificate. Validity 5 years.

52. Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.

53. Certificate of financial security for repatriation of seafarers. 

54. Certificate of Insurance or financial security relating to ship owners’ liability.

CIVIL LIABILITY FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE Convention

55. Certificate of Insurance for pollution damage by cargo or bunker oil. Validity 1 year.

CIVIL LIABILITY FOR BUNKER OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE Convention

56. Certificate of Insurance for pollution damage by bunker oil. Validity 1 year

REMOVAL OF WRECKS Convention

57. Certificate of Insurance for removal of Wreck. Validity 1 year.

CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS AND THEIR LUGGAGE BY SEA (PAL) Convention

58. Certificate of Insurance or financial security in respect of liability for the death of and personal injury to Passengers.

RECYCLING OF SHIPS Convention

59. Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Material. Validity 5 years

60. Ready for Recycling Certificate. Validity 3 months

MISCELLANEOUS 

61. De-Rat Fumigation certificate or exemption certificate (Sanitation certificate).

62. Medical Locker certificate.

63. Pilot ladder certificate issued by the manufacturer.

64. Cargo lifting appliances and loose gear tested 5 years and thoroughly examined 12 months.

65. Cargo loose gear additionally examined every month.

66. Certificate of Class.

67. Trading license for Indian ship.

Initial, Intermediate, Annual and Renewal Survey

A ship enters service with a Certificate of Class which requires compliance with various requirements which are mandated by International and Flag state Statutes, Rules, and Regulations. She then starts a, "through life" survey regime consisting of 5 year survey cycles with the rules getting stringent with age. These surveys may be dedicated to compliance of Class Rules as well as Statutory regulations.

Initial Survey

This is the first survey of the vessel which ensures that she complies with all applicable standards. As we are aware that each and every Statutory/ Mandatory certificate is the end result of a successful survey or inspection. Therefore the first successful surveys of a new vessel are termed the initial survey. Usually these are interim certificates issued by Class at the shipyard and are followed up by the full term certificates with a 5 year term. In compliance with the Harmonized system the time period should be no more than 5 months.

Annual Survey

The first of the Class maintenance surveys kicks in 12 months after the date of initial survey which is termed the anniversary date. The survey has to be carried out within a window of +/- 3 months of the anniversary date. They are held concurrently with other annual surveys under the Harmonized system, which will be dealt with in a later section.

The condition of all closing appliances is ascertained, main and auxiliary steering gear inspected and tested, watertight doors and bulkheads are examined and the structural fire protection checked. Equipment and machinery including life saving and fire fighting appliances and systems are inspected and the general condition of the vessel is assessed. Annual Load Line surveys include the inspection of protection of openings: hatches, ventilators, cargo doors, side scuttles, overside discharges and any other openings through which water might enter, guardrails, water-clearing arrangements, freeing ports, scuppers, means of access to crews quarters and working areas

The main aim of the survey, as with all other surveys is to ensure compliance with Class rules. 

Intermediate Survey

This is carried out within a 3 month window period after the 2nd anniversary date. Depending on the age and type of a vessel, thickness measurement of the hull structure may be carried out. Attention is paid to cargo spaces, particularly stress concentration points where cracks/ deformations may occur. The testing regime is more stringent than an annual survey. It might also coincide with a bottom or docking survey. Cargo systems of tankers of all types are subject to scrutiny during the survey. The 2nd annual survey may be replaced by an Intermediate survey, in which case all the other subsequent surveys leading up to the Renewal survey will be annual surveys.

Quite often the third Intermediate/ Annual survey is made to match a In water survey which falls due 2.5 years after a special survey.

Renewal Survey

Also called the special survey depending on the type of certificate for which the survey is being carried out. These surveys fall due after 5 years. They shall except for the exception mentioned in the next paragraph coincide with a bottom survey carried out in a dry dock (Docking Survey).

Vessels which have a Stern Tube Monitoring system (STM) in place, may be allowed, subject to certain other conditions eg In water survey to have a 7.5 year dry docking cycle, instead of the 5 year one.

Areas inspected during a dry docking include: shell plating, cathodic protection fittings, rudder stem frame, propeller, anchors and chain cable

Ships are grouped in 5 year blocks e.g. 5, 10, 15 and different Rules are laid out which rise in stringency and detail. The survey involves thickness testing, testing of tanks, coating inspections, watertight and weather tight arrangements, Fire and life saving equipment documentation, running tests of machinery and equipment, mock drills etc. The survey may be carried out over an extended period starting after the fourth anniversary. On completion of a special survey fresh certificates are issued by the classification society or RO.

The following example gives the stepped up survey requirements of LRS (Vide their document “Enhanced survey Programme for Bulk Carriers” Revision 9.1, 2005) for close up survey of single skinned bulk carriers. The following information has been extracted from the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships - Part 1, Chapter 3, Section 6.

Similar tables are available for thickness measurement.

Special Survey I (Ships 5 years old)	Special Survey II (Ships 10 years old)	Special Survey III (Ships 15 years old)	Special Survey IV (Ships 20 years old & over)
(1) 25% of frames and their end attachments in the forward cargo hold at representative positions. (2) Selected shell frames and their end Attachments in remaining cargo holds. (3) 1 transverse web with associated plating and longitudinals in 2 representative water ballast tanks of each type (i.e. topside, hopper side or side tank) (4) 2 selected cargo hold transverse bulkheads including internal structure of upper and lower stools, where fitted. This is to include the aft bulkhead of the forward cargo hold. (5) All cargo hold hatch covers and coamings. (plating and stiffeners).	(1) All shell frames in the forward cargo hold and 25% of frames in each of the remaining cargo holds, including their end attachments and adjacent shell plating. (2) 1 transverse web with associated plating and longitudinals in each water ballast tank (i.e. topside, hopper side or side tank). (3) Forward and aft transverse bulkhead in 1 side ballast tank, including stiffening system. (4) All cargo hold transverse bulkheads including internal structure of upper and lower stools, where fitted. (5) All cargo hold hatch covers and coamings (plating and stiffeners). (6) All deck plating and under deck structure inside line of hatch openings between all cargo hold hatches.	(1) All shell frames in the forward and one other selected cargo hold and 50% of frames in each of the remaining cargo holds, including their end attachments and adjacent shell plating. (2) All transverse webs with associated plating and longitudinals in each water ballast tank (i.e. topside, hopper side or side tank) (3) All transverse bulkheads in ballast tanks, including stiffening system. (4) All cargo hold transverse bulkheads including internal structure of upper and lower stools, where fitted. (5) All cargo hold hatch covers and coamings. (plating and stiffeners). (6) All deck plating and under deck structure inside line of hatch openings between all cargo hold hatches.	(1) All shell frames in all cargo holds, including their end attachments and adjacent shell plating. (2) All transverse webs with associated plating and longitudinals in each water ballast tank (i.e. topside, hopper side or side tank). (3) All transverse bulkheads in ballast tanks, including stiffening system. (4) All cargo hold transverse bulkheads including internal structure of upper and lower stools, where fitted. (5) All cargo hold hatch covers and coamings. (plating and stiffeners). (6) All deck plating and under deck structure inside line of hatch openings between cargo hold hatches.

Periodic Survey

The Indian Register of Shipping lists all the surveys which occur cyclically as periodic surveys, however some Societies and Flag states consider the annual certification of the Radio certificate to be a periodic survey, as different from an annual survey. This also applies to the equivalent of the intermediate survey of a safety equipment certificate which is termed a periodic survey.

Periodic Survey

In Water Bottom Surveys 

(Sourced from Rules for Classification of Ships 2017 – DNV GL)

Allowed on:

• Rudder bearings shall have synthetic or metallic material. For water lubricated bearings, clearance measurements shall be possible while the ship is afloat. 
• Propeller shaft bearing and sealing arrangement shall be of a type which does not require propeller shaft withdrawal carried out in less than 5-years intervals.

• In water bottom surveys which form a part of the renewal survey not allowed on

1. General Cargo ships with Extended Hull Survey Programme (EHSR)
2. Liquefied gas ships, except those with Extended Dry Dock (EDD)
3. Cargo ships with ESP notation

• In water bottom surveys not allowed on

1. Ships 15 years or over with class notation ESP
2. Ships 15 years or over special consideration is required from Class for in water bottom surveys to be allowed.

Extended Dry Docking Scheme

In normal practice, only one in water bottom survey was allowed between 2 dry dockings (Renewal/Special survey). However vessels accepted for the Extended Dry Docking Scheme (EDD) will be allowed 2 consecutive in water bottom surveys between two dry dockings. This will effectively increase the time interval between 2 dry dockings to 7.5 years. As can be observed from the info gram after a ship reaches 15 years of age special consideration from Class is required for the EDD to be applicable.

The EDD is not allowed for

• Passenger ships
• Ships subject to ESP and General Cargo Ships subject to EHSR.
• Ships fitted with propulsion thrusters, unless machinery condition monitoring is implemented Ships where the propeller connection is by means of a keyed taper key.

For a ship to be accepted into the EDD scheme she has to have 2 special requirements:

• An approved Tail shaft Monitoring system (TMON)
• An anti fouling coat which is approved for 90 months

Harmonised System of ship survey

(Maritime  Coast Guard Agency MSN 1751 (M+F) Amendment 1)/ IMO Resolution A.1053 (27)

Termed the Harmonized system of surveys and certification (HSSC), it became a reality, with the 1988 SOLAS and Load Lines Protocols entering into force on 03/02/2000, together with amendments to MARPOL 73/78 and the International Bulk Chemical Code, International Gas Carrier Code, Bulk Chemicals Code, and Gas Carrier (GC) Code. This was followed by implementing legislation being carried out in IMO member countries so that the changes got legislative strength. Today all countries that are members of IMO implement the Harmonized system.

Before the coming into force of the HSSC, different countries and Class Societies used differing bench marks regarding the expiry of certificates, window of expiry, special extensions and surveys. This resulted in a lot of duplication of survey work and could have a vessel sailing with one certificate that had been renewed but another which had not, but both of which had overlapping focus area e.g. Construction and Load Line certification. This was considered to not only be undesirable but also compromised the safety of vessels in the hands of unscrupulous operators.

The HSSC endeavours to align and standardise the validity and expiry of 9 Convention certificates to a maximum period of 60 months except the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate whose validity would be 12 months. In aligning the renewal, validity and expiry of certificate, the complete survey and certification process was made more efficient and transparent. 

Types of Survey under HSSC:

• Initial Survey. 
• Renewal Survey. 
• Periodical Survey. 
• Intermediate Survey. 
• Annual Survey. 
• Inspection of the outer bottom. 
• Extra surveys to compliment a survey that is considered inadequate. 

The full term validity of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate was fixed at 12 months with the other certificates being limited to 60 months. All the certificates were giving a 3 month window on either side of the anniversary date. (See Below Table)

	1st Year	2nd Year	3rd Year	4th Year	5th Year
WINDOW MONTH	9 – 12- 15	21 – 24 - 27	33 – 36 - 39	45 – 48 - 51	57 – 60 – 63
PSSC	RENEWAL	RENEWAL	RENEWAL	RENEWAL	RENEWAL
SEC	ANNUAL	ANNUAL OR PERIODIC	PERIODIC OR ANNUAL	ANNUAL	RENEWAL
RADIO	PERIODIC	PERIODIC	PERIODIC	PERIODIC	RENEWAL
SAFCON	ANNUAL	ANNUAL OR INTERMEDIATE	INTERMEDIATE OR ANNUAL	ANNUAL	RENEWAL
IGC/GC	ANNUAL	ANNUAL OR INTERMEDIATE	INTERMEDIATE OR ANNUAL	ANNUAL	RENEWAL
IBC/BCH	ANNUAL	ANNUAL OR INTERMEDIATE	INTERMEDIATE OR ANNUAL	ANNUAL	RENEWAL
LOADLINE	ANNUAL	ANNUAL	ANNUAL	ANNUAL	RENEWAL
MARPOL ANNEX I	ANNUAL	ANNUAL OR INTERMEDIATE	INTERMEDIATE OR ANNUAL	ANNUAL	RENEWAL
MARPOL ANNEX II	ANNUAL	ANNUAL OR INTERMEDIATE	INTERMEDIATE OR ANNUAL	ANNUAL	RENEWAL

Salient points of the HSSC:

Each full term certificate will follow directly from the expiry date of the previous one.

In order to provide flexibility, the renewal certificate may be carried out 3 months before the expiry date, but the anniversary (Renewal) date remains the same.

• A certificate may be extended by a period of 3 months, but then again the renewal survey will bear the original anniversary date cycle.
• If a renewal certificate has been completed satisfactorily, but owing to the circumstance a fresh certificate cannot be issued, the existing expired certificate may be endorsed with the renewal date. The new full term certificate however shall be issued within a period of 5 months from the anniversary expiry date.
• A certificate other than a PSSC which has been issued for a period of less than 60 months may be later extended up to 60 months. The survey cycle should however be maintained as per the table provided above.
• Every certificate shall be provided with a 3 months window on either side of its anniversary date for Annual, Intermediate, Periodic surveys of the following certificates

1. The Passenger Certificate (PC) requires a Renewal survey each year. 
2. The Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate (RADIO) requires a Periodical survey each year. 
3. The International Load Line Certificate (LOADLINE) requires an Annual survey each year. 
4. The Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (SEC) requires an Annual survey every year. On either the second or third year this is replaced with a Periodical survey. 
5. The Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate (SAFCON), the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC/GC), the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC/BCH), the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPPC) and the International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk all require Annual surveys each year. On either the second or third year this is replaced with an Intermediate survey.

• If any of the surveys is carried out more than 3 months before the anniversary date, the annual anniversary date may be brought forward to bring the survey within the 3 month window and the expiry certificate adjusted accordingly. This however shall not disturb the harmonised 5 year cycle.
• A Cargo Ship Safety Certificate may be issued which subsumes the Safety Equipment, Radio and Construction certificates.

Enhanced Survey

Enhanced Survey Programme

The 1980’s may well be described as the decade of bulk carrier losses, which along with high profile tanker losses like the Amoco Cadiz, Castillio de Belver, Khark 5 and Exxon Valdez set the IMO on track to pass IMO Resolution 744 (18) in 1994, “Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers” (ESP) referred to in MARPOL Regulation 13G. 

Annexes A and B to the Resolution effectively cover the requirements for Bulk carriers and Tankers. A vessel which is under an active ESP is allotted a special notation by Class. This is not to be confused with CAS as applicable to single hulled tankers.

ESP is a guideline for owners and managers to prepare a ship for special survey and to maintain operational safety. As the name suggests it imposed stringent norms regarding the survey process to be followed during the special survey cycle. The programme is started 6 months prior to the special survey, when a questionnaire is submitted to Class. The ESP effectively covers the complete hull structure. This plan includes means of providing access for close up surveys, tank testing and thickness measurement. This means that details of proposed location and extent for inspections, tests and gauging have to be provided. 

All periodical survey records are maintained in an ESP records file including any damage to the vessel. The owner/ manager are held responsible for the prompt reporting to Class on any damage, breakdown or grounding which might invalidate the conditions under which the vessel is classed.

Main structural plans, location of High Tensile Steel and tank plans should form a part of the records.

A synopsis of certain relevant sections of “GUIDELINES ON THE ENHANCED PROGRAMME OF INSPECTIONS DURING SURVEYS OF BULK CARRIERS AND OIL TANKERS” are  given here. Students are advised to go through the complete Resolution A 744 (18).

Overall survey is a survey intended to report on the overall condition of the hull structure and determine the extent of additional close-up surveys.

Close-up survey is a survey where the details of structural components are within the close visual inspection range of the surveyor, i.e. preferably within reach of hand.

Representative spaces are those which are expected to reflect the condition of other spaces of similar type and service and with similar corrosion prevention systems. When selecting representative spaces account should be taken of the service and repair history on board and identifiable critical and/or suspect areas.

Suspect areas are locations showing substantial corrosion and/or are considered by the surveyor to be prone to rapid wastage.

Critical structural areas are locations which have been identified from calculations to require monitoring or from the service history of the subject ship or from similar or sister ships to be sensitive to cracking, buckling or corrosion which would impair the structural integrity of the ship.

Substantial corrosion is an extent of corrosion such that assessment of corrosion pattern indicates a wastage in excess of 75% of allowable margins, but within acceptable limits.

Coating condition is defined as follows:

• GOOD condition with only minor spot rusting;
• FAIR condition with local breakdown of coating at edges of stiffeners and weld connections and/or light rusting over 20% or more of areas under consideration, but less than as defined for POOR condition;
• POOR condition with general breakdown of coating over 20% or more of areas or hard scale at 10% or more of areas under consideration.

Dry-dock survey

A survey in dry-dock should be a part of the enhanced survey during periodical survey. There should be a minimum of two inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom during the 5-year period of the certificate. In all cases, the maximum interval between bottom inspections should not exceed 36

months.

Alternate inspections of the ship's bottom not conducted in conjunction with the enhanced survey during periodical survey may be carried out with the ship afloat. Special consideration should be given to ships of 15 years of age or over before being permitted to have such inspections.

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

Pressure testing of tanks

All boundaries of ballast tanks, deep tanks and cargo holds used for ballast within the cargo hold length should be pressure tested.

Representative tanks for fresh water, fuel oil and lubrication oil should also be pressure tested.

Generally, the pressure should correspond to a water level to the top of hatches for ballast/cargo holds, or top of air pipes for ballast tanks or fuel tanks.

Thickness measurements

Representative thickness measurements to determine both general and local levels of corrosion in the shell frames and their end attachments in all cargo holds and ballast tanks should be carried out. Thickness measurement should also be carried out to determine the corrosion levels on the transverse bulkhead plating. The thickness measurements may be dispensed with provided the surveyor is satisfied by the close-up examination, that there is no structural diminution, and the coating where applied remains efficient.

Examination of the hull

Examination of the hull plating and its closing appliances should be carried out as far as can be seen.

Examination of watertight penetrations should be carried out as far as practicable.

Examination of hatch covers and coamings

It should be confirmed that no unapproved changes have been made to the hatch covers, hatch coamings and their securing and sealing devices since the last survey.

Examination of cargo holds

For bulk carriers over 10 years of age, an overall survey of a representative forward and after cargo hold should be carried out. Where this level of survey reveals the need for remedial measures, the survey should be extended to include an overall survey of all cargo holds.

For bulk carriers over 15 years of age, the following should be carried out:

• Overall survey of all cargo holds; and
•  Close-up examination of sufficient extent to establish the condition of the lower region of the shell frames and their end attachments in a forward cargo hold. Where this level of survey reveals the need for remedial measures, the survey should be extended to include a close-up survey of all cargo holds.

Examination of ballast tanks

Examination of ballast tanks should be carried out when required as a consequence of the results of the periodical survey and intermediate enhanced survey. When extensive corrosion is found, thickness measurements should be carried out.

Shipboard documentation

The owner should supply and maintain on-board documentation as specified in the survey report file and Supporting documents file. These should be readily available for the surveyor. The condition evaluation report referred to in the survey report file should include a translation into English.

The documentation should be kept on board for the lifetime of the ship.

Survey report file

a) A survey report file should be a part of the documentation on board consisting of:

1. Reports of structural surveys (annex 6);
2. Condition evaluation report (annex 7);
3. Thickness measurement reports (annex 8); and
4. Survey planning document according to the Principles for Planning document where provided.

b) The survey report file should be available also in the owner's and the Administration offices.

Supporting documents

The following additional documentation should be available on board:

a. Main structural plans of holds and ballast tanks

b. Previous repair history

c. Cargo and ballast history

d. Inspections by ship's personnel with reference to:

• Structural deterioration in general;
• Leakages in bulkheads and piping;
• Condition of coating or corrosion prevention system, if any, and any other information that would help to identify critical structural areas and/or suspect areas requiring inspection.

Review of documentation on board

Prior to inspection, the surveyor should examine the completeness of the documentation on board, and its contents as a basis for the survey.

Age of the vessel

Requirements for thickness measurement and pressure testing of tanks are age dependant. 

The age classes are

• ≤ 5 Years
• 5 < Years ≤ 10 Years
• 10 < Years ≤ 15 Years
• >15 Years

Access

The owner should provide the necessary facilities for a safe execution

of the survey including ISGOTT recommendations on tankers.

• Tanks and spaces should be safe for access, i.e. gas freed, ventilated,
• Tanks and spaces should be sufficiently clean and free from water, scale, and dirt, oil residues, with sufficient illumination to reveal significant corrosion, deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration.
• Proper illumination
• For close up survey a safe means of access eg Staging, Cherry picker
• Survey at sea or at anchorage may be accepted provided the surveyor is given the necessary assistance from the personnel on board.
• A communication system should be arranged between the survey party in the tank and the responsible officer on deck and others involved in the operation eg pump men
• A safety check-list should be provided.

Conditions Assessment Scheme (CAS)

Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS)

Revised regulation 20 of MARPOL 73/78 Annex I require certain additional anti pollution measures to be taken by single hull tankers. The CAS is one of them. CAS builds on the Enhanced Survey Programme and imposes additional inspections and tests to be carried out on single hull tankers before the vessel reaches 15 years of age.

CAS is unique in certain respects in that it:

• Imposes specific deadlines for the planning of the survey which must commence 8 months prior to the commencement date.
• The Flag state shall issue a 5 year validity, CAS Statement of Compliance

Salient points of CAS survey:

• Restricted to the Hull structure
• Must coincide with an Intermediate or special survey
• Vessel must be dry docked. In water inspections are not permitted
• In addition to ESP requirements, additional thickness measurements and close-up surveys may be necessary, depending on the oil tanker’s age.
• 2 Qualified surveyors are to be in attendance

The DGS Guidelines regarding CAS:

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. The Directorate General of Shipping adopts the amended regulation 13G of Annex I to MARPOL 73/78 and hereby directs all shipping companies to comply the Condition Assessment Scheme to their oil Tanker as mentioned in the annex and appendices to the amended regulation13G of Annex I to MARPOL 73/78.

1. The tankers that will be affected by these amendments are as follows
   
   Category 1 oil tanker - Oil tanker of 20,000 tons deadweight and above carrying crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil as cargo, and of 30,000 tons deadweight and above carrying oil other than the above, which does not comply with the requirements for new oil tankers as defined in Regulation 1(26) of Annex1 of MARPOL 73/78.
   
   These category Tankers which are delivered in 1973 or earlier shall be phased out in 2003. Similarly, tankers delivered in 1974 and 1975 would be phased out in 2004, and so on. Tanker owners willing to operate vessels beyond 2005 which are delivered in 1976 or later require complying with condition assessment scheme.
   
   Category 2 of oil tanker - Oil tanker of 20,000 tons deadweight and above carrying crude oil, fuel oil, heave diesel oil or lubricating oil as cargo, out of 30,000 tons deadweight and above carrying oil other than the above, which complies with the requirements for new oil tankers as defined in Regulation I (26) of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78.
   
   These category Tankers which are delivered in 1973 or earlier shall be phased out in 2003. Similarly, tankers delivered in 1974 and 1975 would be phase out in 2004, and so on. Tanker owners willing to operate vessels beyond 2010 which are delivered in 1984 or later require complying with condition assessment scheme.
   
   Category 3 oil tanker - Oil tanker of 5,000 tons deadweight and above but less than than specified as Category 1 and Category 2 oil tanker.
   
   These category Tankers which are delivered in 1973 or earlier shall be phased out in 2003. Similarly, tankers delivered in 1974 and 1975 would be phased out in 2004, and so on.
   
   
2. The tankers will be phased-out in accordance with the schedule stated in paragraph 4 of the Annex to Resolution MEPC.95 (46) and D.G.Shipping would adopt the schedule, and would deny port entry to single-hulled oil tankers operating beyond their phase-out dates. Tanker owners are encouraged to plan for the eventual phase-out of single-hulled oil tankers.

Conditions Assessment Programme (CAP)

Condition Assessment Programme (CAP)

The CAP is a value added consultancy service offered to the tanker industry by Classification Societies that are IACS members. It complements the mandatory Class survey cycle and can be termed a risk assessment programme. Unlike CAS it is not mandatory, however good CAP ratings increases the attractiveness of a tanker that is being offered for charter. CAP ratings also affect the resale market, refinancing options and the underwriting calls on the vessel. To put it in a nutshell it allows one to differentiate between a good vessel and a bad one.

While CAS is restricted to the hull structure of single hull tankers, CAP is applicable to all tankers and rates the

• Hull structure
• Machinery systems & Cargo systems

There exists broad unanimity amongst Class Societies regarding CAP, and all of them grade the aforementioned systems on a four/ five point scale. IR Class uses a four point rating.

• 1 - Very Good
• 2 - Good
• 3 - Acceptable
• 4 - Poor

The Society grades the vessel and issues a report, which does not have any expiry date. The inspection consists of:

Hull structure

• Documents and record check
• Thickness gauging through Ultrasonic thickness measurement
• Visual inspection
• Close up survey
• Tank testing
• Dry docking or In water hull inspection
• Coating condition
• Cathodic protection system
• Fatigue assessment
• Strength calculations

Each of the above are individually rated, after which the overall grade is arrived at.

Overall rating

Very Good - Like new with no or superficial diminution of scantlings

Good - Minor deficiencies requiring no intervention or repairs. Gauging results in excess of Class requirements.

Acceptable - Found to have deficiencies, but not requiring immediate corrective action. Gauging results though meeting Class requirements show substantial diminution.

Poor - Below the minimum allowable by Class. Can lead to withdrawal of Class.

Machinery & Cargo Systems

• Visual inspection
• Function tests under working conditions
• Vibration analysis
• Lubricating oil analysis
• Thickness gauging through Ultrasonic thickness measurement
• Insulation testing
• Thermographs of electrical equipment
• Planned Maintenance Systems

Each of the above are individually rated, after which the overall grade is arrived at.

Overall rating

Very Good - Components and their systems and sub systems like new with no deficiencies. Maintenance and documentation in perfect order.

Good - Components and their systems and sub systems minor deficiencies not requiring any intervention or repairs. Maintenance and documentation good.

Acceptable - Components and their systems and sub systems with deficiencies but not affecting safe operation. Maintenance and documentation satisfactory.

Poor - Components, Systems, Maintenance and documentation below the minimum allowable by Class. Can lead to withdrawal of Class.