Ships Certificates

7/29/2019 Ships Certificates

1/36

Ships Certificates


2/36

In order for a ship to trade, ie., carry outcommercial activities, it has to carry anumber of certificates.

Some of these show the status of theships nationality, her tonnages (mainly fortaxation purposes), the standards to whichshe is initially constructed, the number ofcrew required to run the ship etc.

These certificates are usually permanent.


3/36

On the other hand, some certificates are

issued after inspection (Survey) of the ship

to ensure that the ship is seaworthy and

everything on board complies with the

standards set by the Flag state, IMO and

classification society. These certificates

are subject to endorsement or renewalafter periodic inspections / surveys.


4/36

Survey Cycles

Routine periodic inspections or surveyscan be classed into 2 types of cycles

1) The Continuous Survey cycle

2) The Special Survey cycle.

Extraordinary inspections or surveys aredone when there is some damage or if any

repairs are carried out. Here we shall study about the routine

inspections / surveys on board.


5/36

Periodic (routine) inspections are carried out toensure that the vessel complies with therequirements of the classification society, flagstate, and IMO rules.

This is to ensure that proper and effectivemaintenance is carried out and the vessel is in asafe and seaworthy condition.

In case any defect is observed during thesesurveys, it has to be set right prior to passing ofthe survey. Defects can be due to wear and tear,ageing, corrosion or accidents.


6/36

Inspections and surveys may covered eitherbythe continuous survey cycle orthe specialsurvey cycle. The object is to ensure that allareas of the vessel is inspected, any defectrectified, and the ship is in safe and seaworthycondition, fit for the purpose it is built.

The inspections or surveys are carried out by theclassification society unless stated otherwise.

The commencement of all surveys cycles isusually the start date of the Safety ConstructionCertificate.


7/36

The Continuous Survey Cycle

This cycle covers a period of 5 years

Usually, the machinery on a ship comes underContinuous survey.

This is due to the fact that most machinery canbe surveyed when the ship is afloat and in port.

Each item under survey is scheduled for surveyonce during the 5 year cycle period.

A quarterly listing is provided by theclassification society which gives the items duefor the forthcoming quarter.


8/36

The Special Survey Cycle

The Special Survey Cycle also covers a period of 5years.

As per this cycle, ships have to undergo an annualinspection every year and a renewal survey every 5years.

This cycle is especially useful for hull areas where aninspection cannot be done at anytime, but requiresconditions like being in drydock, having the holds emptyfor inspection, ballast, fuel or fresh water tanks empty,no cargo work being carried out etc.

The relevant certificates are endorsed every year. After 5years, on completion of the special survey, a newcertificate is issued. Thus, a new cycle starts.

Certain certificates like the IOPP and the SafetyConstruction also are subject to an Intermediate survey.


9/36

Certificate of Registry

Issued by the flag state

Valid until revoked

On Flag of Convenience vessels it mayhave a fixed validity.


10/36

Intl. Tonnage Certificate


Valid until revoked

On Flag of Convenience vessels it mayhave a fixed validity.


11/36

. Panama Canal Tonnage Cert.

Suez Canal Tonnage

Usually by Panama and Suez Authorities

Used as a basis for calculating the transit

charges.

Valid for life of the ship, provided the

vessel does not undergo alteration.


12/36

Radio Station License


Valid until revoked


13/36

Classification- Hull and Machinery

Issued by the classification society with whomthe vessel is classed.

It is issued when the ship is constructed andspecifies the standards to which the vessel is

built. (Notation on Class) It is endorsed every year after satisfactory

completion of the Loadline and SafetyConstruction inspection or intermediate survey.

Validity is 5 years.

Ships under continuous survey do not have thisendorsed every year.


14/36

. Safety Equipment certificate

Issued by Flag state authorized agency on

behalf of the flag state under their authority.

Validity 5 years.

An annual inspection is carried out by theappropriate authority (DGS/Class in India) with a

survey window of 3 months before and after the

anniversary date. The Certificate is endorsed

after the annual inspection.


15/36

Record of Safety Equipment

(Form E)



Validity 5 years.

Lists the equipment which comes under theSafety Equipment Survey. The Survey and

inspections are carried out using this document

as the basis of requirements.

It may revised as necessary with changes in

equipment requirements as per new regulations.


16/36

Safety Construction Certificate

Issued by Flag state authorized agency on behalf of theflag state under their authority.

Validity 5 years.

An annual inspection is carried out by the Classification

Society with a survey window of 3 months before andafter the anniversary date.

An Intermediate survey is carried out at the second orthird annual inspection.

The Certificate is endorsed after the annual inspection /intermediate survey.

Renewal of this certificate is also subject to satisfactorycompletion of the Continuous Survey cycle.


17/36

International Load line Certificate



Validity 5 years.

An annual inspection is carried out by theClassification Society with a survey window of 3

months before and after the anniversary date.

The Certificate is endorsed after the annualinspection.


18/36

Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate

Issued by Flag state authorized agency onbehalf of the flag state under theirauthority.

Validity 5 years. An annual inspection is carried out by the

appropriate authority with a survey window

of 3 months before and after theanniversary date. The Certificate isendorsed after the annual inspection.


19/36

Record of Equipment for Safety

Radio Certificate (Form R)

Issued by Flag state authorized agency.

Lists the equipment which comes under

the Safety Radio Survey. The Survey and

inspections are carried out using this

document as the basis of requirements.

It may revised as necessary with changes

in equipment requirements as per new

regulations.


20/36

Cargo Ship Safety

This certificate is issued as an alternative

to Safety Construction, Safety Equipment

and Safety Radio Certificates.


It is supplemented by a Record of

Equipment (Form C)


21/36

International Oil Pollution

Prevention Certificate (IOPP)


Validity 5 years.

An annual inspection is carried out by the

authorized agency with a survey window of 3months before and after the anniversary date.

An intermediate survey is carried out.

The certificate is supplemented by Form A forships other than oil tankers and Form B for oil

tankers as appropriate.


22/36

Safety Management Certificate

Also known as ISM certificate


Is issued following verification that theDocument of Compliance for the company

is applicable to this type of ship.

Validity 5 years. Is subject to periodical verification.


23/36

Document of Compliance


Certifies that the vessel has satisfactorilypresented and documented its ship and

company safety and environmentalprotection management system, alsocovering the topics in ISO 9002 that arerelevant to safe ship operations.

Valid for 5 years

Subject to annual audits.


24/36

Minimum Safe Manning Document


Carried on ships as evidence of having

met the minimum safe manning

requirement.


25/36

Civil Liability Certificate (CLC)


Validity usually 1 year.

It certifies that the vessel is insured for civilliabilities caused by oil pollution


26/36

P & I Club Risk Cover Certificate

Renewed every year.


27/36

Port State Control certificate

Valid for 6 months.

Vessel is inspected by Port State control

and certificate issued.


28/36

De-rat/De-rat Exemption Cert.

Issued by the port health authorities.

Valid for 6 months.


29/36

Medical Locker Certificate

Valid for 1 year.

Done by a competent approved druggist in

port.

May be checked by the port health officer.

A list of narcotics / psychotropic

substances in the medical locker to be

maintained and usually such are kept in

safe custody of the master.


30/36

C.O.C. Master/Officers

Usually kept with the respective officers.

Some flag states may require copies of the

certificates to be prominently displayed.

It is the officers responsibility to ensure

these are kept valid. The shipping

company also vets these documents prior

to anyone joining ship.


31/36

Master + All crew STCW Cert

It is the responsibility of the respective

personnel to ensure his/her documents

are upto date.

These are kept with the persons

concerned. It may be inspected by flag

state or port state authorities.


32/36

Oil Record book

Separate books for tankers and non tankers.

To be maintained and entries made and duly

signed as specified by the rules.

No specified validity. When an oil record book isfilled up, it should be kept on board for at least 3

years from the date of the last entry.

To be kept ready for inspection at all times.


33/36

Cargo gear book

If fitted with cargo gear, this documentshould be maintained.

Modern cargo gear is subject to an annual

inspection and a quadrennial survey andtesting.

May be inspected by Dock Labour Board

or equivalent authorities. Other lifting gear on the vessel may be

entered in the Cargo gear book.


34/36

Other Documents that are carried:

All crew-Yellow fever Vaccination

SOPEP Plan

Cargo Securing manual Garbage Record Book

Inflatable life raft service certificate

Service and hydrostatic test report ofportable fire extinguishers.


35/36


Intact stability booklet

Damage control plans and booklets

Fire safety training manual

Fire Control plan/booklet

On board training and drills record

Fire safety operational booklet

International Sewage Pollution PreventionCertificate


36/36


Garbage Management Plan

Cargo Securing Manual

International Ship Security Certificate(ISSC)

Ship Security Plan and associated records

Continuous Synopsis Record (Ships builtafter 2004)