3.1 Initial survey
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.222(64) – 2012 Guidelines for the Survey and Certification of Ships under the Hong Kong Convention – (Adopted on 5 October 2012) - Annex – 2012 Guidelines for the Survey and Certification of Ships under the Hong Kong Convention - 3 Surveys - 3.1 Initial survey

3.1 Initial survey

 The aim of the initial survey is to verify whether part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials has been prepared in accordance with the Convention requirements. There are different requirements for the initial surveys of new ships and for those of existing ships.

3.1.1 Initial survey for new ships footnote

  3.1.1.1 In the case of a new ship, an initial survey should be conducted before the ship is put in service.

  3.1.1.2 Prior to the initial survey for a new ship, a request for the initial survey should be submitted by the shipowner or shipyard to the Administration or to a recognized organization along with the ship data required for the International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials, as follows:

  • .1 name of ship;

  • .2 distinctive number or letters;

  • .3 port of registry;

  • .4 gross tonnage;

  • .5 IMO number;

  • .6 name and address of shipowner;

  • .7 IMO registered owner identification number;

  • .8 IMO company identification number; and

  • .9 date of construction.

  3.1.1.3 The request for an initial survey for a new ship should be supplemented by Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials – which identifies Hazardous Materials contained in ship structure and equipment, their location and approximate quantities – along with the Material Declaration and Supplier's Declaration of Conformity in accordance with the 2011 Guidelines for the Development of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (resolution MEPC.197(62), as amended), and all other documents used to develop the Inventory of Hazardous Materials.

  3.1.1.4 The survey should verify that part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials identifies the Hazardous Materials contained in the ship structure and equipment, their location and approximate quantities, by checking the Material Declaration and Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, and should clarify that the ship complies with regulations 4 and 5 of the annex to the Convention. The survey should also verify that the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, especially the location of Hazardous Materials, is consistent with the arrangements, structure and equipment of the ship, through onboard visual inspection.

  3.1.1.5 The International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials should be issued either by the Administration or by any person or organization authorized by it, after successful completion of the initial survey, to any new ships to which regulation 10 of the annex to the Convention applies.

3.1.2 Initial survey for existing ships

  3.1.2.1 In the case of an existing ship, an initial survey should be conducted before the International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials is issued and not later than five years after the entry into force of the Convention. The initial survey should be harmonized with the renewal surveys required by other applicable statutory instruments of the Organization, in line with regulations 5.2 and 10.5 of the annex to the Convention and with the principles established in resolution A.1053(27), as amended (Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), 2011).

  3.1.2.2 Prior to the initial survey for an existing ship, a request for the initial survey should be submitted by the shipowner to the Administration or to a recognized organization along with the ship data required for the International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials as listed in paragraph 3.1.1.2 above.

  3.1.2.3 The request for an initial survey for an existing ship should be supplemented by Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, and/or the visual/sampling check plan developed in accordance with the 2011 Guidelines for the development of the inventory of hazardous materials.

  3.1.2.4 Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials – which identifies Hazardous Materials contained and/or potentially contained in ship structure and equipment, their location and approximate quantities – should be developed through a visual check and/or sampling check on board the ship, based on the visual/sampling check plan in accordance with the 2011 Guidelines for the development of the inventory of hazardous materials. It should then be submitted by the shipowner to the Administration or a recognized organization along with supporting information such as the report of the visual/sampling check and/or any Material Declaration and Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.

  3.1.2.5 The visual/sampling check plan and Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials should be prepared by personnel with the requisite knowledge and experience to conduct the assigned task, in accordance with the 2011 Guidelines for the development of the inventory of hazardous materials, as may be amended.

  3.1.2.6 The survey should verify that Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials identifies the Hazardous Materials contained and/or potentially contained in the ship structure and equipment, their location and approximate quantities, by checking supporting information such as the report of the visual check and/or sampling check and/or any Material Declaration and Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. The survey should also clarify that the ship complies with regulations 4 and 5 of the annex to the Convention. Classification as "potentially containing hazardous materials" should be noted in the remarks column of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials. The survey should further verify that the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, especially the location of Hazardous Materials, is consistent with the arrangements, structure and equipment of the ship, through onboard visual inspection.

  3.1.2.7 The International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials should be issued either by the Administration or by any person or organization authorized by it, after successful completion of the initial survey, to any existing ships to which regulation 10 of the annex to the Convention applies, except for existing ships for which an initial and a final survey are conducted at the same time; in such cases, only an International Ready for Recycling Certificate should be issued.


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