1 Introduction

 1.1 These guidelines supersede the guidelines adopted by resolution A.1053(27), as amended by resolution A.1076 (28), and take account of the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification in the following instruments:

• .1 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (1974 SOLAS Convention, or SOLAS 74), as modified by the Protocol of 1988 relating thereto, as amended (SOLAS 74/88);

• .2 International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (1966 LL Convention, or LLC 66), as modified by the Protocol of 1988 relating thereto, as amended (LLC 66/88);

• .3 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, and as further amended by the Protocol of 1997, as amended (MARPOL);

• .4 International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, as amended (IBC Code);

• .5 International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, as amended (IGC Code); and

• .6 Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, as amended (BCH Code)

 1.3 The harmonized system, a diagrammatic arrangement of which is given in appendix 2, provides for:

• .1 a one-year standard interval between surveys, based on initial, annual, intermediate, periodical and renewal surveys, as appropriate, except for MARPOL Annex IV which is based on initial and renewal surveys;

• .2 a scheme providing the necessary flexibility to execute each survey, with provision for:

  • .1 completion of the renewal survey within three months before the expiry date of the existing certificate with no loss of its period of validity; and

  • .2 a "time window" of six months – from three months before to three months after the anniversary date of the certificate for annual, intermediate and periodical surveys;

• .3 a maximum period of validity of five years for all cargo ship certificates;

• .4 a maximum period of validity of 12 months for the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate;

• .5 a system for the extension of certificates limited to three months, enabling a ship to complete its voyage, or one month for ships engaged on short voyages;

• .6 when an extension has been granted, the period of validity of the new certificate starting from the expiry date of the existing certificate before its extension;

• .7 a flexible system for inspection of the outside of the ship's bottom on the following conditions:

  • .1 a minimum of two inspections during any five-year period of validity of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate; and

  • .2 the interval between any two such inspections should not exceed 36 months;

• .8 a Cargo Ship Safety Certificate under SOLAS 74/88, as an alternative to separate Cargo Ship Safety Construction, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment and Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificates; and

• .9 a flexible system concerning the frequency and the period of validity of certificates, subject to the minimum pattern of surveys being maintained.

 1.4 In implementing the harmonized system, the following principal changes made to the survey and certification requirements of SOLAS 74/88 have been taken into account:

• .1 unscheduled inspections are no longer included and annual surveys are mandatory for cargo ships;

• .2 intervals between the periodical surveys of equipment covered by the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate are alternately two and three years instead of two years;

• .3 intermediate surveys are required for all ships under the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate;

• .4 inspection of the outside of the ship's bottom is required for all cargo ships;

• .5 intermediate surveys for the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate are held within three months of either the second or third anniversary date

• .6 all cargo ship certificates may be issued for any period of validity up to and including five years;

• .7 there is provision for a Cargo Ship Safety Certificate; and

• .8 the extension provisions have been reduced from five months to three months to enable a ship to complete its voyage and the extension for one month for a period of grace is limited to ships engaged on short voyages.

 1.5 With regard to LLC 66/88, the principal changes to the requirements for survey and certification are the introduction of similar extension provisions (see 1.4.8) and linking of the period of validity of the new certificate to the expiry date of the previous certificate (see 1.3.6).

 1.6 With regard to MARPOL and the IBC, IGC and BCH Codes, the main changes are the linking of the period of validity of the new certificate to the expiry date of the previous certificate (see 1.3.6), the holding of the intermediate survey within three months of the second or third anniversary date and the introduction of the same extension provisions (see 1.4.8).