1.1 Obligations and reporting of the gaining recognized organization
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee-Marine Environment Protection Committee Circulars - MSC-MEPC.5 Circulars - MSC-MEPC.5/Circular.2 – Survey and Certification-Related Matters1 – (26 September 2005) Guidelines for Administrations to ensure the adequacy of transfer of class-related matters between recognized organizations (ROs) - Annex – Guidelines for Administrations to Ensure the Adequacy of Transfer of Class-Related Matters Between Recognized Organizations (ROs) - 1 Procedural requirements - 1.1 Obligations and reporting of the gaining recognized organization

1.1 Obligations and reporting of the gaining recognized organization

  1.1.1 Whenever a recognized organization is requested by an owner to accept an existing ship as meeting its requirements, the gaining recognized organization should immediately notify the owner in writing that:

  • .1 the relevant surveys specified in section 2.2 should be satisfactorily completed for issuance of the classification certificate;

  • .2 for ships less than 15 years of age, an interim classification certificate could be issued only after the gaining recognized organization has completed:

    • .2.1 all overdue surveys;

    • .2.2 all overdue recommendations/conditions of class previously issued against the ship as specified to the owner by the losing recognized organization;

  • .3 for ships 15 years of age and over, an interim classification certificate could be issued only after the losing recognized organization has completed:

    • .3.1 all overdue surveys;

    • .3.2 all overdue recommendations/conditions of class previously issued against the ship;

  • .4 any outstanding recommendations/conditions of class should be dealt with by their due dates;

  • .5 the principles given in paragraphs 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.2 and 1.1.1.3 should apply to any additional recommendations/conditions of class issued against the ship arising from surveys which were not included in the initial survey status of class-related matters provided to the gaining recognized organization by the losing recognized organization because the surveys were carried out in close proximity to the request for transfer of class-related matters. Such additional recommendations/conditions of class if received after the issuance of the interim classification certificate by the gaining recognized organization and which are overdue should be dealt with at the first port of call by the relevant recognized organization depending on the age of the ship;

  • .6 copies of the plans listed in section 3 should be provided to the gaining recognized organization as a prerequisite to obtaining a full term classification certificate.

 If the owner is unable to provide all of the required plans, the gaining recognized organization should request that the owner authorize the losing recognized organization to transfer copies of such of these plans as it may possess directly to the gaining recognized organization upon request from the gaining recognized organization.

  1.1.2 Prior to issuing an interim classification certificate the gaining recognized organization should obtain:

  • .1 from the owner, a written request for transfer of class-related matters, containing an authorization for the gaining recognized organization to obtain the current status of class-related matters from the losing recognized organization; and

  • .2 the current survey status of class-related matters from the headquarters of the losing recognized organization or one of its designated control or management centres.

  1.1.3 Within two working days of receipt of a written request from the owner for transfer of class-related matters at a recognized organization's headquarters or one of its designated control or management centres, the gaining recognized organization should notify the losing recognized organization of the requested transfer of class-related matters and attaching the owners authorization for release of the survey status. If the gaining recognized organization does not receive the survey status of class-related matters from the losing recognized organization within three working days from request, the gaining recognized organization might utilize the losing recognized organizations survey status information of class-related matters provided by the owner and, after complying with the other relevant requirements of these Guidelines, might issue an interim classification certificate. In such cases, a statement should be included in or with the interim classification certificate reminding the owner that the conditions in paragraph 1.1.1 are still applicable.

  1.1.4 The gaining recognized organization should not issue an interim classification certificate, or other documents enabling the ship to trade:

  • .1 until all relevant surveys specified in section 2.2 have been satisfactorily completed;

  • .2 until all overdue surveys and all overdue recommendations/conditions of class previously issued against the subject ship as specified to the owner by the losing recognized organization, have been completed and rectified by:

    • .2.1 the gaining recognized organization, for ships less than 15 years of age;

    • .2.2 the losing recognized organization, for ships 15 years of age and above;

  • .3 before giving the opportunity to the flag Administration to provide any further instructions within three working days.

  1.1.5 When facilities are not available in the first port of survey, an interim classification certificate might be issued to allow the ship to undertake a direct voyage to a port where facilities are available to complete the required surveys and/or rectify overdue recommendations/conditions of class. In such cases:

  • .1 the surveys specified in section 2.2 should be carried out to the maximum extent practicable at the first port of survey, but in no case less than the scope of surveys required in paragraphs 2.2.2.1.1 and 2.2.2.2 in cases where both gaining and losing recognized organizations agree; and

  • .2 the recognized organization completing the overdue items should inform the other recognized organization of the decision taken, direct voyage conditions agreed and the agreed port survey.

  1.1.6 The validity of the interim classification certificate and the subsequent classification certificate should be subject to any outstanding recommendations/conditions of class previously issued against the ship being completed by the due date and as specified by the losing recognized organization. Any outstanding recommendations/conditions of class with their due dates should be clearly stated on:

  • .1 the interim classification certificate or an attachment to the interim classification certificate, and/or survey record of class-related matters available on board; and

  • .2 the survey status of class-related matters when the full term classification certificate is issued.

  1.1.7 The gaining recognized organization should, within one month from issuing its interim classification certificate, advise the losing recognized organization of the date of issuing this certificate and confirm the date, location and action taken to satisfy each overdue survey and overdue recommendation/condition of class, if any, issued against the subject ship as specified to the owner by the losing recognized organization.

  1.1.8 Any additional information regarding outstanding surveys or recommendations/conditions of class received from the losing recognized organization in accordance with paragraph 1.2.3 should be dealt with in accordance with paragraphs 1.1.4 to 1.1.6, as applicable, and reported to the losing recognized organization within one month from the completion of the survey. If this additional information is received after the interim classification certificate has been issued, any surveys or recommendations/conditions of class which are overdue should be dealt with at the first port of call by:

  • .1 the gaining recognized organization for ships less than 15 years of age; and

  • .2 the losing recognized organization for ships 15 years of age or over.

  1.1.9 If the conditions set out in paragraph 1.1.8 are not fulfilled, the interim classification certificate should be withdrawn immediately and the Administration so advised, unless the owner agrees to proceed directly, without further trading, to a suitable port where any overdue surveys or overdue recommendations/conditions of class should be carried out by the relevant recognized organization based on the age of the ship.

  1.1.10 Prior to final acceptance of class-related matters, the gaining recognized organization's obligation should be to:

  • .1 carry out the review of survey records of class-related matters of the losing recognized organization to the extent deemed necessary but not less than those items indicated below in order to prepare auditable documentation of this review:

    • .1.1 damages by events and datesfootnote;

    • .1.2 major repairs/rectifications by datesfootnote;

    • .1.3 conversion of hull-datesfootnote;

    • .1.4 major alterations of machinery installation-datesfootnote;

    • .1.5 condition evaluation/hull summary report if applicable;

    • .1.6 type of cargoes (coal, logs, aggressive bulks, chemical product, type of oil), when available;

    • .1.7 history of recommendations/conditions of classfootnote;

    • .1.8 thickness measurements from last renewal survey and subsequent thickness measurements, including areas with substantial corrosion;

    • .1.9 report of last renewal survey and subsequent periodical reports;

    • .1.10 information on coating condition of water ballast tanksfootnote;

    • .1.11 restrictions/limitations in navigation area;

    • .1.12 optional photos when available;

  • .2 advise the losing recognized organization in writing of the anticipated date of final acceptance of class-related matters.

  1.1.11 The gaining recognized organization may, if deemed necessary, carry out the review of survey records of class-related matters of other recognized organizations which had previously issued a classification certificate for the ship.

  1.1.12 Within one month of the date of final acceptance of class-related matters, the gaining recognized organization should advise the losing recognized organization and the Administration. In cases where the losing recognized organization has reported recommendations/conditions of class on the ship, the gaining recognized organization should provide the losing recognized organization with an itemized list of actions taken with the date and location and actions to be taken, to satisfy each recommendation/condition of class.

  1.1.13 The reporting by the gaining recognized organization to the losing recognized organization required in paragraphs 1.1.7 to 1.1.9 and 1.1.12 should be done in accordance with the harmonization of reporting as contained in the appendix.

Parent topic: 1 Procedural requirements
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