Clasification Society Rulefinder 2020 - Version 9.33 - Fix
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.1120(30) – Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), 2017 - (Adopted on 6 December 2017) - Annex – Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), 2017 - General - 5 Amplification of Terms and Conditions

5 Amplification of Terms and Conditions

 5.1 Definition of related items

Reference: SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/10(b)(v).

Related items mean those items which may only be inspected when the ship is in dry dock or undergoing an in-water examination of the outside of its bottom. For oil tankers, chemical tankers and gas carriers, this may mean that the ship has to be specially prepared by, for example, being cleaned and gas freed. Then the survey of items such as the internal examination of cargo tanks, as referred to in (CIn) 2.3.2 and (CIn) 2.3.3 in annex 1 may be undertaken at the same time.

5.2 Extending to five years a certificate issued for less than five years

References: SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/14(c), LLC 66/88 article 19(3), MARPOL Annex I regulation 10.3, MARPOL Annex II regulation 10.3, MARPOL Annex IV regulation 8.3, MARPOL Annex VI regulation 9.3, BWM Convention regulations E-5.5 and E-5.6, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.3, IGC Code regulation 1.4.6.3, BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.3, and Polar Code part I-A /regulation 1.3.6.

Where a certificate has been issued for a period of less than five years, it is permissible under these regulations or article to extend the certificate so that its maximum period of validity is five years provided that the pattern of surveys for a certificate with a five-year period of validity is maintained (see appendix 2). This means that, for example, if a request is made to extend a two-year Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate to five years, then a periodical and two further annual surveys, as detailed in SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/8, would be required. Also, for example, if it was intended to extend a four-year Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate to five years, an additional annual survey would be required, as detailed in SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/10. Where a certificate has been so extended, it is still permissible to also extend the certificate under SOLAS 74/88 regulations I/14(e) and (f), LLC 66/88 articles 19(5) and (6), MARPOL Annex I regulations 10.5 and 10.6, MARPOL Annex II regulations 10.5 and 10.6, MARPOL Annex IV regulations 8.5 and 8.6, MARPOL Annex VI regulations 9.5 and 9.6, BWM Convention regulation E-5.2.2, IBC Code regulations 1.5.6.5 and 1.5.6.6, IGC Code regulations 1.4.6.5 and 1.4.6.6, and BCH Code regulations 1.6.6.5 and 1.6.6.6, when no additional surveys would be required but, of course, the new certificate issued after the renewal survey would date from the five-year expiry of the existing certificate, in accordance with SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/14(b)(ii), LLC 66/88 article 19(2)(b), MARPOL Annex I regulation 10.2.2, MARPOL Annex II regulation 10.2.2, MARPOL Annex IV regulation 8.2.2, MARPOL Annex VI regulation 9.2.2, BWM Convention regulation E-5.3, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.2.2, IGC Code regulation 1.4.6.2.2, BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.2.2 and Polar Code part I-A/regulation 1.3.6.

5.3 Extending the period between inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom

Reference: SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/10(a)(v).

This permits the period of five years in which two inspections of the ship's bottom are to be carried out to be extended when the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate is extended under regulation I/14(e) and (f). However, no extension should be permitted on the period of 36 months between any two such inspections. If the first ship's bottom inspection is carried out between 24 and 27 months, the 36-month limitation may prevent the certificate being extended by the periods permitted in regulation I/14(e) and (f).

5.4 Definition of "short voyage"

References: SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/14(f), LLC 66/88 article 19(6), MARPOL Annex I regulation 10.6, MARPOL Annex II regulation 10.6, MARPOL Annex IV regulation 8.6, MARPOL Annex VI regulation 9.6, BWM Convention regulation E-5.3, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.6, IGC Code regulation 1.4.6.6, BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.6 and Polar Code part I-A/ regulation 1.3.6.

For the purpose of these regulations or article, a "short voyage" means a voyage where neither the distance from the port in which the voyage begins to the final port of destination nor the return voyage exceeds 1,000 miles.

5.5 Application of "special circumstances"

References: SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/14(g), LLC 66/88 article 19(7), MARPOL Annex I regulation 10.7, MARPOL Annex II regulation 10.7, MARPOL Annex IV regulation 8.7, MARPOL Annex VI regulation 9.7, BWM Convention regulation E-5.7, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.7, IGC Code regulation 1.4.6.7, BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.7 and Polar Code part I-A/ regulation 1.3.6.

The purpose of these regulations or article is to permit Administrations to waive the requirement that a certificate issued following a renewal survey that is completed after the expiry of the existing certificate should be dated from the expiry date of the existing certificate. The special circumstances when this could be permitted are where the ship has been laid up or has been out of service for a considerable period because of a major repair or modification. While the renewal survey would be as extensive as if the ship had continued in service, the Administration should consider whether additional surveys or examinations are required depending on how long the ship was out of service and the measures taken to protect the hull and machinery during this period. Where this regulation is invoked, it is reasonable to expect an examination of the outside of the ship's bottom to be held at the same time as the renewal survey when it would not be necessary to include any special requirements for cargo ships for the continued application of SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/10(a)(v).

5.6 Revalidation of certificates

References: SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/14(i)(i), LLC 66/88 article 19(9)(c), MARPOL Annex I regulation 10.9.1, MARPOL Annex II regulation 10.9.1, MARPOL Annex IV regulation 8.8.1, MARPOL Annex VI regulation 9.9.1, BWM Convention E-5.9.3, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.9.1, IGC Code regulation 1.4.6.9.1, BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.9.1 and Polar Code part I-A/regulation 1.3.6. A certificate ceases to be valid if the periodical, intermediate or annual survey, as appropriate, or the inspection of the outside of the ship's bottom is not completed within the periods specified in the relevant regulation or article. The validity of the certificate should be restored by carrying out the appropriate survey which, in such circumstances, should consist of the requirements of the survey that was not carried out, but its thoroughness and stringency should have regard to the time this survey was allowed to lapse. The Administration concerned should then ascertain why the survey was allowed to lapse and consider further action.

5.7 Meaning of "any five-year period"

Reference: SOLAS 74/88 regulation I/10(a)(v).

Any five-year period is the five-year period of validity of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate.

5.8 Surveys required after transfer of the ship to the flag of another State

The certificates cease to be valid when a ship transfers to the flag of another State and it is required that the Government of the State to which the ship transfers should not issue new certificates until it is fully satisfied that the ship is being properly maintained and that there have been no unauthorized changes made to the structure, machinery and equipment. When so requested, the Government of the State whose flag the ship was formerly entitled to fly is obliged to forward, as soon as possible, to the new Administration copies of certificates carried by the ship before the transfer and, if available, copies of the relevant survey reports and records, such as record of safety equipment and conditions of assignment for load line. When fully satisfied by an inspection that the ship is being properly maintained and that there have been no unauthorized changes, in order to maintain the harmonization of the surveys the new Administration may give due recognition to initial and subsequent surveys carried out by, or on behalf of, the former Administration and issue new certificates having the same expiry date as the certificates that ceased to be valid because of the change of flag.

5.9 Recommended conditions for extending the period of validity of a certificate

5.9.1 In SOLAS 74/88 and other mandatory IMO instruments the following provision applies: If a ship at the time when a certificate expires is not in a port in which it is to be surveyed, the Administration may extend the period of validity of a certificate but this extension should be granted only for the purpose of allowing the ship to complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be surveyed, and then only in cases where it appears proper and reasonable to do so. No certificate should be extended for a period longer than three months, and a ship to which an extension is granted should not, on its arrival in the port in which is to be surveyed, be entitled by virtue of such extension to leave that port without having a new certificate.

5.9.2 If a ship is in a port where the required survey cannot be completed, and where the Convention allows the Administration to extend the certificate when it is proper and reasonable to do so, the Administration should be guided by the following:

  • .1 an additional survey, equivalent to at least the same scope of an annual survey required by the relevant certificate(s) should be carried out;

  • .2 the renewal survey should be carried out to the maximum extent possible;

  • .3 in cases where a dry-docking is required, but cannot be carried out, an underwater inspection of the ship's bottom should be carried out;

  • .4 in cases where an underwater inspection is not possible (e.g. poor water visibility, draft restrictions, excessive current, refusal by the port Authority), an internal inspection of the ship's bottom structure, to the maximum extent practicable, should be carried out;

  • .5 the ship should be allowed to sail directly to a named final agreed cargo discharge port and then directly to a named agreed port to complete the survey and/or dry-docking;

  • .6 the extension period should be for the minimum amount of time needed to complete the survey and/or dry-docking under the relevant certificate(s);

  • .7 the condition of the ship found by the surveys indicated above should be considered in determining the duration, distance and operational restrictions, if any, of the voyage needed to complete the survey and/or dry-docking; and

  • .8 the extension period of the relevant statutory certificate(s) should not exceed the period of validity of the certificate which may be issued to document compliance with the structural, mechanical and electrical requirements of the recognized classification society.

5.10 Inspection of the outside of a passenger ship's bottom

5.10.1 A minimum of two of the inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom during any five-year period should be conducted in dry dock. In all cases, the maximum interval between any two dry-dock bottom inspections should not exceed 36 months.

5.10.2 Where acceptable to the Administration, the minimum number of inspections in dry dock of the outside of the bottom of a passenger ship which is not a ro-ro passenger ship in any five-year period may be reduced from two to one.footnote In such cases the interval between consecutive inspections in dry dock should not exceed 60 months.

Note: The definition of "any five-year period" is the five-year period of validity of the International Load Line Certificate.

5.10.3 Inspections of the ship's bottom required for the renewal survey that are not conducted in dry dock may be carried out with the ship afloat. The bottom inspection, regardless of method, should be carried out within the allowable time window for the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate renewal survey (i.e. within the three-month time window before the expiry date of the certificate). Additionally, inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom conducted afloat should only be carried out when the conditions are satisfactory and the proper equipment and suitably qualified staff is available. Rudder bearing clearances specified in (PR) 5.2.2.1 need not be taken at the afloat inspections.

5.10.4 Special consideration should be given to ships 15 years of age or over before being permitted to credit inspections afloat.

5.10.5 If a survey in dry dock is not completed within the maximum intervals referred to above, the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate should cease to be valid until the survey in dry dock is completed.

5.11 Survey of radio installations

The survey of the radio installations, including those used in life-saving appliances, should always be carried out by a qualified radio surveyor who has necessary knowledge of the requirements of SOLAS 74, the International Telecommunication Union's Radio Regulations and the associated performance standards for radio equipment. The radio survey should be carried out using suitable test equipment capable of performing all the relevant measurements required by these guidelines. On satisfactory completion of the survey, the radio surveyor should forward a report of the survey, which should also state the organization he or she represents, to the authorities responsible for the issue of the ship's Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate or Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.

5.12 Survey of the automatic identification system (AIS)

The survey of the automatic identification system should always be carried out by a qualified radio surveyor who has necessary knowledge of the requirements of SOLAS 74, the International Telecommunication Union's Radio Regulations and the associated performance standards for radio equipment. The survey of the automatic identification system should be carried out using suitable test equipment capable of performing all the relevant measurements required by and in accordance with the Guidelines on annual testing of the automatic identification system (AIS) (MSC.1/Circ.1252).

5.13 Surveys for ships intended to operate in polar watersfootnote

5.13.1 In accordance with SOLAS 74/88 regulations XIV/2.1 and 3.1, MARPOL Annex I regulation 47, MARPOL Annex II regulation 22, MARPOL Annex IV regulation 18 and MARPOL Annex V regulation 14, the Polar Code is a standalone instrument, providing requirements additional to SOLAS 74/88 and MARPOL for ships intended to operate in polar waters. The requirements of the Polar Code should be surveyed in the context of the surveys under SOLAS 74/88 and MARPOL, but do not form separate survey types.

5.13.2 For MARPOL Annexes I and II,footnote compliance with the Polar Code should be indicated on the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate and, where applicable, the International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk. For SOLAS 74/88, the Polar Ship Certificate should be issued (Polar Code, paragraph 1.3) and endorsed for compliance with the Polar Code. The Polar Ship Certificate should be perceived as a certificate additional to SOLAS certificates for ships intended to operate in polar waters, and the validities of other certificates are not affected by it when a ship stays outside of polar areas.

5.13.3 Although there is no dedicated type of survey associated with the Polar Ship Certificate, the following types of survey are applicable in the Survey Guidelines in annex 4 and contain survey items specific to the Polar Ship Certificate:

  • .1 the initial survey would confirm the survey scopes of the items related to part I-A of the Polar Code with respect to the initial surveys of safety construction, safety equipment and safety radio of cargo ships or the initial survey of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate;

  • .2 the annual survey would confirm the survey scopes of the items related to part I-A of the Polar Code with respect to the periodical safety radio survey and the annual safety construction and safety equipment surveys of cargo ships;

  • .3 the intermediate survey would confirm the survey scopes of the items related to part I-A of the Polar Code with respect to the intermediate safety construction survey of cargo ships;

  • .4 the periodical survey (second or third year of its validity) would confirm the survey scopes of the items related to part I-A of thePolar Code with respect to the periodical safety equipment survey of cargo ships; and

  • .5 the renewal survey would confirm the survey scopes of the items related to part I-A of the Polar Code with respect to the renewal surveys of safety construction, safety equipment and safety radio of cargo ships or the renewal survey of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.

5.13.4 For a Polar Ship Certificate issued to a cargo ship, the endorsements of the certificate for annual survey, intermediate survey and periodical survey would confirm the satisfactory completion of the survey scopes as stated respectively in (2) to (4) of paragraph 5.13.

5.13.5 For a Polar Ship Certificate issued to a passenger ship, only the endorsements in accordance with SOLAS 74/88 regulations I/14(d) and I/14(e) or I/14(f) are applicable.

5.13.6 After the relevant surveys under the related SOLAS certificates together with the survey items relevant to the Polar Code are carried out, the relevant SOLAS certificates should then be endorsed prior to the Polar Ship Certificate being issued/endorsed.

5.13.7 In the event that the Polar Ship Certificate has ceased to be valid or has expired for a period of time and other certificates remain valid, the Administration may require, as deemed appropriate, a survey which addresses only the survey items additional to the survey items under the related SOLAS certificates for reinstating the validity of the Polar Ship Certificate. The duration of the related SOLAS certificates should remain unchanged.

Parent topic: General
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