2) The societies are the primary means by which the shipping industry regulates itself and verifies the maintenance of ship safety.
3) Classification society establishes and apply technical standards for the design, constructions and survey of marine related facilities. The requirements are published as classification rules.
4) Classification societies carry out statutory surveys on behalf of the administration, as recognised organisation.
5) These are basically in requirements of fulfilling Solas and various international convention provisions. Apart form statutory surveys the following surveys are carried out by classification societies.
Survey for classification :-
As Per rules and regulations pertaining to safety and operational requirements of the ship and its equipments the classification societies inspect the hull standard design for ensuring proper strength standards, hull equipment and appendages , such as stern frames, rudders and steering gear, stability aspects, different equipments and machinery, navigational aids, etc.
Appraisal Survey :-
This inspection the fair market value of the vessel and is used for variety of purpose such as collateral, estate assessment, litigation, etc. the focus is upon the condition and valve of the vessels structure and its accessories/ equipments.
Installation Survey :-
Following installations are surveyed Refrigeration machineries
Centralised control and monitoring system for machineries. Operating system for periodically ums vessel
Safety equipments Safety radio equipments
Marine pollution prevention equipments Cargo gear
Electrical installations
Damage Survey :-
If invited by ship owners in case of any accident to access the cause and extent of the damage and nature of the damage. If invited by the third party in case of collision to determine the repair recommendations.
6) While the authority to carry out statutory surveys and inspections on behalf of administration may be delegated to the RO , the powers of the enforcement of RO are limited when repairs or corrective actions are not carried out or survey is not passed satisfactorily.
7) RO do not have the power to detain the ship . At the most he can withdraw the statutory certificate or declare them invalid and notify the ships flag state and the port state where vessel happen to be located for further action.
8) Also classification societies are not the guarantors of safety of life at sea or the seaworthiness of the vessel because classification society has no control over how the vessel is operated and maintained in between the between the periodic surveys which it conducts. Therefore responsible ship owners
employ highly qualified superintendent to carry out vessel maintenance on regular basis and ensure that their ships undergo all class surveys and retain class.
9) The classification societies keep complete files of all files of all ships covering the documentation required by the rules. Repairs will not be disclosed to any party, apart from the national authorities involved. Without the owner’s consent. The society also undertakes all reporting to national authorities required in connection with the safety certificates. Based on the reports of the verification the national authorities / flag state can issue the required certificates or detain the ship as the case may be.
9. Question
The Paris MOU committee adopted a new inspection regime NIR in 2009 by which a risk profile would be established for each ship based on type age flag company history and psc detainment record. As chief engineer visiting a port under Paris MOU how would you prepare your ship for the visit.
ANSWER:-
As on 1 January 2011, the Paris MOU initiated a new port state control inspection regime.This inspection regime commits the Paris MOU States to inspect all ships visiting ports and anchorages in the Paris MOU over a three year period with increased inspection of High Risk Ships (HRS). HRSs will be subject to expanded inspections every 6 months.
Ships with 3 or more Port State Control (PSC) detentions in the Paris MOU region during a three year period will be banned. Under the New Inspection Regime (NIR), quality ships will be rewarded with longer inspection intervals.
The existing Paris MOU Target Factor system was replaced by the Ship Risk Profile.
The Ship Risk Profile classifies ships as Low Risk Ships (LRS), Standard Risk Ships (SRS), or High Risk Ships (HRS), depending on the Ship Risk Profile.
The Ship Risk Profile is based on the following criteria, using information from previous inspections of ships by Port States participating in the Paris MOU over the last 3 years:
- type of ship (Passenger Ships, Bulk Carriers, Oil Tankers, Gas or Chemical Tankers are given a higher risk number);
- age of ship (vessels over 12 years of age);
- performance of the flag of the ship, including undertaking Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS); (Liberia is a low risk flag); - performance of the recognized organization(s);
- over the last 36 Months:
1. number of Paris MOU inspections;
2. number of deficiencies per inspection; and 3. number of detentions.
Low risk ships will be awarded with intervals between Port State Control inspections of up to 36 months, compared to 6 months in the current system. All operators and Masters of vessels calling on ports participating in the Paris MOU must determine their ship’s risk profile.
Prior visiting a port under Paris MOU a pre arrival compliance check list is to be filled up which checks all the point which are inspected by the PSC officer.
1. Ships Certificates/Documents to be checked for validity. 2. Crew Certification / documentation to be checked.
3. Certificates are in a common place (binder or folder) and available for review.
4. Life saving appliances to be checked i.e.
a. Lifeboats in good condition, proper inventory of rations and equipment, engines start easily. Davits, structure and brakes, well maintained. Crew trained/exercised.
b. Lifeboat on load release mechanism properly set.
c. Life rafts in good condition, hydrostatic releases and service dates valid. d. Lifejackets/Immersion suits, required number, properly stowed, lights. e. Life buoys, number, condition, marking, lights, quick release, lifelines, as
required.
f. Embarkation ladders in good condition, deck area clear of obstructions, lighting.
5. Fire fighting equipments and fire protection structures to be checked i.e. a. Main & emergency fire pumps start easily, acquire suction, regardless of
vessel draft.
b. Fire main charged using main and emergency fire pumps and provide adequate pressure to the highest and most remote stations.
c. No leaks in fire main and stations. No missing or damaged equipment. d. Fixed fire fighting system in good condition, servicing not overdue and
record available.
e. Portable fire extinguishers in good condition, proper location, servicing not overdue, service record available.
f. Fireman’s outfits good condition, complete, servicing not overdue and record available. Crew trained/exercised.
g. All local and remote fire doors, vent closures and no hold backs. h. Fire detections system operating properly.
i. Fire dampers, flaps tested, operate properly, not seized, wasted or rusted, clearly marked.
j. All closures have a good seal.
6. Engine room, machinery spaces, bilges clean of excessive oil, oil residue and oily rags.
7. High pressure FO piping is jacketed.
8. Bilge pump and bilge high level alarm working properly. 9. Spaces have adequate lighting and ventilation.
10. Remote stops for ventilation, F.O. pumps tested and working properly. 11. Equipment, instruments, gages intact and working.
12. Controls clearly identified and working.
13. Emergency generator starts easily and takes emergency electrical load as required.
14. Remote and quick closing valves tested and working properly
15. Oil record book available, entries in good order, up-to-date and signed by officer in charge and Master.
16. OWS equipment tested and operating properly, certificate available.
17. 15 PPM monitor alarm, auto-stop, calibrated, tested and operating properly, as required.
18. No pipes or hoses that could be used as illegal bypass to OWS/15 PPM monitor.
19. No evidence of disassembling pipe flanges.
20. No blocks, or valves connected to any overboard systems without justification.
21. Connection for discharge to reception facility available. 22. Sewage treatment plant approved.
23. Garbage management plan and record book entries up to date, receipts available.
24. Incinerator, acceptable substances incinerated, crew familiar with operating procedures.
25. Fuel-changeover operations in Special Emission Control Areas are recorded in logbook.
26. Loading/stability manual approved, latest intact stability information available.
27. Exterior doors and hatches, sounding tubes, and other opening are in good condition and provide an adequate seal.
28. Loadline and Freeboard marks properly arranged (P&S) and readable. 29. The galley range is clean, vents are clean of grease.
30. Sanitary systems, sinks, toilets, showers are in good working order.
31. Hospital room is properly stocked, controlled substances are properly secured.
32. No one living in the Hospital Room. 33. Lighting is sufficient.
34. Cargo hatchways/covers in good order, no cracks, buckling to coamings, stays.
35. Anchoring/mooring devices, winches/capstans in good operating condition.
36. Railings/cat walks in good condition no wastage, cracks, buckling, missing parts.
37. Ventilators, air pipes, casings tight, in good operating condition and clearly marked.
38. Electrical fittings, insulation, cables in good condition. 39. No leaking hydraulic lines.
40. Pilot/ accommodation ladder in good condition for safe access. 41. Means of escape marked and no obstructions.
42. Radars are required size, number, and operational. 43. Gyro in good operating condition.
44. Magnetic compass readable, calibrated, deviation card available 45. Echo sounder operating properly.
46. Radio /GMDSS main, MF, MF/HF operating condition, tools & spare parts.
47. VHF fixed/portable equipment working properly, including DSC performance.
48. EPIRB battery and hydrostatic release valid, maintenance records. 49. All charts and publications are up-to-date.
50. All required charts and publications are available on board and up-to- date.
51. Lights, shapes, sound-signals working properly. 52. Emergency source of power adequate and available.
53. Official log book and ORB are complete and have all of the required entries.
54. Other log books maintained: Engine, Radio (GMDSS), Medical and visitors logs.
55. Fire and abandon ship drills/exercises/training held regularly and properly recorded.
56. Fire control plan posted as required.
57. Records of security training, drills and exercises up to date. 58. Training records up to date.
59. All required markings are evident. 60. Fire control plan posted as required. 61. Muster list up to date.
62. Alarms tested and working properly.
63. Master, SSO & applicable crew are familiar and have understanding of the Safety Management System (ISM Code) and Ship & Port Security Code (ISPS).
64. All documents up to date & available.
65. Evidence available of maintenance schedule, testing, records documented & implemented. Records of internal audits.
66. Ship Security Plan approved & protected from unauthorized access. 67. Ship Security Officer documented and familiar with his duties.
68. Access to vessel is controlled, photo identification and purpose of visitors is verified.