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, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.3, IGC Code regulation
1.5.6.3, BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.3.
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, then 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,
IBC Code regulations 1.5.6.5 and 1.5.6.6, IGC Code, regulations 1.5.6.5 and
1.5.6.6, 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, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.2.2, IGC Code
regulation 1.5.6.2.2 and BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.2.2.
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 regulations 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 then the thirty-sixth-month
limitation may prevent the certificate being extended by the periods permitted in
regulations 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, IBC Code
regulation 1.5.6.6, IGC Code regulation 1.5.6.6, BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.6.
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 and 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, IBC Code regulation 1.5.6.7, IGC Code
regulation 1.5.6.7 and BCH Code regulation 1.6.6.7.
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. Whilst
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, IBC
Code regulation 1.5.6.9.1, IGC Code regulation 1.5.6.9.1 and BCH Code regulation
1.6.6.9.1.
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
5.10.2Where 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 onefootnote. 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
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).