3 Annual Survey

  3.1.1 The annual survey should consist of an examination for the purpose of ensuring, as far as practicable, that the hull and piping are maintained in a satisfactory condition and should take into account the service history, condition and extent of the corrosion prevention system of ballast tanks and areas identified in the survey report file.

  3.2.1 Examination of the hull plating and its closing appliances should be carried out as far as can be seen.

  3.2.2 Examination of watertight penetrations should be carried out as far as practicable.

  3.3.1 Examination of cargo tank openings including gaskets, covers, coamings and flame screens.

  3.3.2 Examination of cargo tank pressure/vacuum valves and flame screens.

  3.3.3 Examination of flame screens on vents to all bunker and oily slop tanks.

  3.3.4 Examination of cargo, crude oil washing, bunker and vent piping systems, including vent masts and headers.

  3.4.1 Examination of all bulkheads for signs of oil leakage or fractures and, in particular, the sealing arrangements of all penetrations of bulkheads.

  3.4.2 Examination of the condition of all piping systems and pipe tunnels.

  3.5.1 Examination of ballast tanks should be carried out when required as a consequence of the results of the renewal survey and intermediate survey. When extensive corrosion is found, thickness measurements should be carried out.

  3.5.2 Where substantial corrosion as defined in 1.2.7 is found, the extent of thickness measurements should be increased in accordance with the requirements in annex 4.

  3.5.3 For oil tankers exceeding 15 years of age, all ballast tanks adjacent to (i.e. with a common plane boundary) a cargo or fuel tank with any means of heating should be examined internally. When considered necessary by the surveyor, thickness measurements should be carried out and if the results of these thickness measurements indicate that substantial corrosion is found, the extent of thickness measurements should be increased in accordance with the requirements of annex 4. Tanks or areas where coating was found to be in GOOD condition at the previous intermediate or renewal survey may be specially considered by the Administration."