4 Description of the Various Types of Surveys

The initial survey, as required by the relevant regulations (see 2.8.1), should be held before the ship is put in service, or when a new instrument applies to an existing ship, and the appropriate certificate is issued for the first time.

4.1.2.1 The initial survey should include a complete inspection, with tests when necessary, of the structure, machinery and equipment to ensure that the requirements relevant to the particular certificate are complied with and that the structure, machinery and equipment are fit for the service for which the ship is intended.

4.1.2.2 The initial survey should consist of:

.1 an examination of the plans, diagrams, specifications, calculations and other technical documentation to verify that the structure, machinery and equipment comply with the requirements relevant to the particular certificate;
.2 an inspection of the structure, machinery and equipment to ensure that the materials, scantlings, construction and arrangements, as appropriate, are in accordance with the approved plans, diagrams, specifications, calculations and other technical documentation and that the workmanship and installation are in all respects satisfactory; and
.3 a check that all the certificates, record books, operating manuals and other instructions and documentation specified in the requirements relevant to the particular certificate have been placed on board the ship.

4.1.3 Examination of plans and designs

An application for an initial survey should be accompanied by plans and designs referred to in sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 of annex 1 and in annexes 2, 3 and 4, as appropriate, together with:

.1 the particulars of the ship;
.2 any exemptions sought; and
.3 any special conditions.

(A) 4.2 Annual surveys

The annual survey, as required by the relevant regulations (see 2.8.5) and as shown diagrammatically in appendix 2, should be held within three months before or after each anniversary date of the certificate.

4.2.2.1 An annual survey should enable the Administration to verify that the condition of the ship, its machinery and equipment is being maintained in accordance with the relevant requirements.

4.2.2.2 In general, the scope of the annual survey should be as follows

.1 it should consist of a certificate examination, a visual examination of a sufficient extent of the ship and its equipment, and certain tests to confirm that their condition is being properly maintained;
.2 it should also include a visual examination to confirm that no unapproved modifications have been made to the ship and its equipment;
.3 the content of each annual survey is given in the respective guidelines. The thoroughness and stringency of the survey should depend upon the condition of the ship and its equipment; and
.4 should any doubt arise as to the maintenance of the condition of the ship or its equipment, further examination and testing should be conducted as considered necessary.

4.2.3 Where an annual survey has not been carried out within the due dates, reference should be made to 5.6.

(In) 4.3 Intermediate surveys

The intermediate survey, as required by the relevant regulations (see 2.8.4) and as shown diagrammatically in appendix 2, should be held within three months before or after the second anniversary date or within three months before or after the third anniversary date of the appropriate certificate and should take the place of one of the annual surveys.

4.3.2.1 The intermediate survey should be an inspection of items relevant to the particular certificate to ensure that they are in a satisfactory condition and are fit for the service for which the ship is intended.

4.3.2.2 When specifying items of hull and machinery for detailed examination, due account should be taken of any continuous survey schemes that may be applied by classification societies

4.3.2.3 Where an intermediate survey has not been carried out within the due dates, reference should be made to 5.6.

(P) 4.4 Periodical surveys

The periodical survey, as required by the relevant regulations (see 2.8.2) and as shown diagrammatically in appendix 2, should be held within three months before or after the second anniversary date or within three months before or after the third anniversary date in the case of the cargo ship safety equipment certificate and should take the place of one of the annual surveys and within three months before or after each anniversary date in the case of the cargo ship safety radio certificate.

4.4.2.1 The periodical survey should consist of an inspection, with tests when necessary, of the equipment to ensure that requirements relevant to the particular certificate are complied with and that they are in a satisfactory condition and are fit for the service for which the ship is intended.

4.4.2.2 The periodical survey should also consist of a check that all the certificates, record books, operating manuals and other instructions and documentation specified in the requirements relevant to the particular certificate are on board the ship.

4.4.2.3 Where a periodical survey has not been carried out within the due dates, reference should be made to 5.6.

(R) 4.5 Renewal surveys

The renewal survey, as required by the relevant regulations (see 2.8.3) and as shown diagrammatically in the appendix 2, should be held before the appropriate certificate is renewed.

The cargo ship safety construction renewal survey may be commenced at the fourth annual survey and may be progressed during the succeeding year with a view to completion by the fifth anniversary date. The survey items of the fourth annual survey should not be credited to the completion of the renewal survey.

4.5.2.1 The renewal survey should consist of an inspection, with tests when necessary, of the structure, machinery and equipment to ensure that the requirements relevant to the particular certificate are complied with and that they are in a satisfactory condition and are fit for the service for which the ship is intended.

4.5.2.2 The renewal survey should also consist of a check that all the certificates, record books, operating manuals and other instructions and documentation specified in the requirements relevant to the particular certificate are on board the ship.

4.5.2.3 Concurrent crediting to both intermediate and renewal safety construction survey for surveys of spaces should not be acceptable.

(B) 4.6 Inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom of cargo ships

There should be a minimum of two inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom during any five-year period (see 5.7), except where SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/14(e) or (f) is applicable. One such inspection should be carried out on or after the fourth annual survey in conjunction with the renewal of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety

Certificate. Where the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate has been extended under SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/14(e) or (f), this five-year period may be extended to coincide with the validity of the certificate. In all cases the interval between any two such inspections should not exceed 36 months.

4.6.2.1 The inspection of the outside of the ship's bottom and the survey of related items (see 5.1) should include an inspection to ensure that they are in a satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which the ship is intended footnote .

4.6.2.2 Inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom should normally be carried out with the ship in a dry dock. However, consideration may be given to alternate inspections being carried out with the ship afloat. 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. For ships subject to enhanced survey, the provisions of paragraph 2.2.2 footnote of the applicable part of annex A or B, of the International code on the enhanced programme of inspections during surveys of bulk carriers and oil tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code) adopted by resolution A.1049(27), as amended, should apply.

4.6.3 Where an inspection of the ships bottom has not been carried out before the due dates reference should be made to 5.6

(Ad) 4.7 Additional surveys

Whenever an accident occurs to a ship or a defect is discovered which affects the safety or integrity of the ship or the efficiency or completeness of its equipment, the master or owner should make a report at the earliest opportunity to the Administration, the nominated surveyor or recognized organization responsible for issuing the relevant certificate. The Administration, the nominated surveyor or recognized organization responsible for issuing the relevant certificate should then initiate an investigation to determine whether a survey, as required by the regulations applicable to the particular certificate, is necessary. This additional survey, which may be general or partial according to the circumstances, should be such as to ensure that the repairs and any renewals have been effectively made and that the ship and its equipment continue to be fit for the service for which the ship is intended.

4.8 Completion of surveys

4.8.1 If a survey shows that the condition of the ship or its equipment does not correspond substantially with the particulars of the certificate or is not fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship, or persons on board, or without presenting unreasonable threat of harm to the environment, the officer of the Administration, nominated surveyor or recognized organization should be guided by the requirements of SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/6(c), MARPOL Annex I regulation 6.3.3, MARPOL Annex II regulation 8.2.5, MARPOL Annex IV regulation 4.5, MARPOL Annex VI regulation 5.3.3, IBC Code regulation 1.5.1.4, IGC Code regulation 1.5.1.3 and BCH Code regulation 1.6.1.3. These instruments require that corrective action be taken immediately and the Administration notified in due course. In cases where the corrective action has not been undertaken the relevant certificate should be withdrawn and the Administration notified immediately. If the ship is in the port of another Party, the appropriate authorities of the port State should also be notified immediately.

4.8.2 Although LLC 66/88 does not contain specific requirements, if a load line survey shows the condition of the ship or its equipment does not correspond substantially with the particulars of the certificate or is not fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship, or persons on board, or without presenting unreasonable threat of harm to the environment, the officer of the Administration, nominated surveyor or recognized organization should, nevertheless, be guided by 4.8.1.

.1 A condition should be issued, detailing any relevant requirements or conditions with assigned due date for the time needed to rectify the deficiencies, with relevant information being kept available on board. If and as required by the Administration, the relevant certificates should be issued with the appropriate expiry dates; and
.2 The Administration should be notified, as appropriate, according to the agreement with the nominated surveyor or the recognized organization.

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