1.5 Surveys and Certification

1.5.1.1 The survey of ships, so far as regards the enforcement of the provisions of the regulations and granting of exemptions therefrom, shall be carried out by officers of the Administration. The Administration may, however, entrust the surveys either to surveyors nominated for the purpose or to organizations recognized by it.

1.5.1.2 The recognized organization, referred to in Regulation 8 - Surveys [Harmonised Requirements] .2 of MARPOL Annex II shall comply with the guidelines adopted by the Organization by IMO Resolution A.739(18) – Guidelines for the Authorization of Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration – (Adopted on 4 November 1993)Amended by Resolution MSC.208(81), as may be amended by the Organization, and the specification adopted by the Organization by IMO Resolution A.789(19) – Specifications on the Survey and Certification Functions of Recognized Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration – (Adopted on 23 November 1995), as may be amended by the Organization, provided that such amendments are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 - Amendments of MARPOL and Article VIII - Amendments of SOLAS concerning the amendment procedures applicable to this Code.

1.5.1.3 The Administration nominating surveyors or recognizing organizations to conduct surveys shall, as a minimum, empower any nominated surveyor or recognized organization to:

1. require repairs to a ship; and

2. carry out surveys if requested by the appropriate authorities of a port State.

The Administration shall notify the Organization of the specific responsibilities and conditions of the authority delegated to nominated surveyors or recognized organizations for circulation to the Contracting Governments.

1.5.1.4 When a nominated surveyor or recognized organization determines that the condition of a ship or its equipment does not correspond substantially with the particulars of the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, or is such that the ship is not fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship, or persons on board, or without presenting unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment, such surveyor or organization shall immediately ensure that corrective action is taken and shall, in due course, notify the Administration. If such corrective action is not taken the Certificate shall be withdrawn and the Administration shall be notified immediately. If the ship is in a port of another Contracting Government, the appropriate authorities of the port State shall also be notified immediately. When an officer of the Administration, a nominated surveyor or a recognized organization has notified the appropriate authorities of the port State, the Government of the port State concerned shall give such officer, surveyor or organization any necessary assistance to carry out their obligations under this paragraph. When applicable, the Government of the port State concerned shall take such steps as will ensure that the ship does not sail until it can proceed to sea or leave the port for the purpose of proceeding to the nearest appropriate repair yard available without danger to the ship or persons on board or without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.

1.5.1.5 In every case, the Administration shall guarantee the completeness and efficiency of the survey, and shall undertake to ensure the necessary arrangements to satisfy this obligation.

LR 1.5.2(a) The Classification Regulations for New Construction Surveys, the classification of ships not built under Survey and Periodical Survey Regulations are given in Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations and Pt 1, Ch 3 Periodical Survey Regulations of the Rules for Ships. Pt 1, Ch 3, 8 Special Survey - Chemical Tankers - Hull requirements of the Rules for Ships deals specifically with the Periodical Survey regulations for ships for liquid chemicals. The following requirements are also to be complied with.

1.5.2.1 The structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material (other than items in respect of which a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate and Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate or Cargo Ship Safety Certificate are issued) of a chemical tanker shall be subjected to the following surveys:

1. An initial survey before the ships is put in service or before the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk is issued for the first time, which shall include a complete examination of its structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material in so far as the ship is covered by the Code. This survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with the applicable provisions of the Code.

2. A renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration, but not exceeding 5 years, except where 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness, 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness, 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness or 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness is applicable. The renewal survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material fully comply with the applicable provisions of the Code.

3. An intermediate survey within 3 months before or after the second anniversary date or within 3 months before or after the third anniversary date of the Certificate, which shall take the place of one of the annual surveys specified in 1.5.2 Survey requirements. The intermediate survey shall be such as to ensure that the safety equipment, and other equipment, and associate pump and piping systems fully comply with the applicable provisions of the Code and are in good working order. Such intermediate surveys shall be endorsed on the Certificate issued under 1.5.4 Issue of International Certificate of Fitness or 1.5.5 Issue or endorsement of International Certificate of Fitness by another Government.

4. An annual survey within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the Certificate, including a general inspection of the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material referred to in 1.5.2 Survey requirements to ensure that they have been maintained in accordance with 1.5.3 Maintenance of conditions after survey and that they remain satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended. Such annual surveys shall be endorsed on the Certificate issued under 1.5.4 Issue of International Certificate of Fitness or 1.5.5 Issue or endorsement of International Certificate of Fitness by another Government.

5. An additional survey, either general or partial according to the circumstances, shall be made when required after an investigation prescribed in 1.5.3 Maintenance of conditions after survey, or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made. Such a survey shall ensure that the necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made, that the material and workmanship of such repairs or renewals are satisfactory; and that the ship is fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board or without presenting unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.

LR 1.5.2(b) Particular reference is made to the following paragraphs in the Rules for Ships as applicable to chemical tankers:

1.5.3.1 The conditions of the ship and its equipment shall be maintained to conform with the provisions of the Code to ensure that the ship will remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board or without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.

1.5.3.2 After any survey of the ship under 1.5.2 Survey requirements has been completed, no change shall be made in the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material covered by the survey, without the sanction of the Administration, except by direct replacement.

1.5.3.3 Whenever an accident occurs to a ship or a defect is discovered, either of which affects the safety of the ship or the efficiency or completeness of its life-saving appliances or other equipment covered by the Code, the master or owner of the ship shall report at the earliest opportunity to the Administration, the nominated surveyor or recognized organization responsible for issuing the Certificate, who shall cause investigations to be initiated to determine whether a survey, as required by 1.5.2 Survey requirements, is necessary. If the ship is in a port of another Contracting Government, the master or owner shall also report immediately to the appropriate authorities of the port State and the nominated surveyor or recognized organization shall ascertain that such a report has been made.

1.5.4.1 An International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk shall be issued after an initial or renewal survey to a chemical tanker engaged in international voyages which complies with the relevant provisions of the Code.

1.5.4.2 Such a Certificate shall be drawn up in the form corresponding to the model given in the Appendix Model Form of International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk. If the language used is not English, French or Spanish, the text shall include the translation into one of these languages.

1.5.4.3 The Certificate issued under provisions of this section shall be available on board for examination at all times.

1.5.5.1 A Government that is both a Contracting Government to the SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and a Party to MARPOL - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships may, at the request of another such Government, cause a ship entitled to fly the flag of the other State to be surveyed and, if satisfied that the provisions of the Code are complied with, issue or authorize the issue of the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk to the ship, and, where appropriate, endorse or authorize the endorsement of the Certificate on board the ship in accordance with the Code. Any Certificate so issued shall contain a statement to the effect that it has been issued at the request of the Government of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.

1.5.6.1 An International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk shall be issued for a period specified by the Administration which shall not exceed 5 years.

1.5.6.2.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness, when the renewal survey is completed within 3 months before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate.

1.5.6.2.2 When the renewal survey is completed after the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate.

1.5.6.2.3 When the renewal survey is completed more than 3 months before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of completion of the renewal survey.

1.5.6.3 If a Certificate is issued for a period of less than 5 years, the Administration may extend the validity of the Certificate beyond the expiry date to the maximum period specified in 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness, provided that the surveys referred to in 1.5.2 Survey requirements and 1.5.2 Survey requirements, applicable when a Certificate is issued for a period of 5 years, are carried out as appropriate.

1.5.6.4 If a renewal survey has been completed and a new Certificate cannot be issued or placed on board the ship before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the person or organization authorized by the Administration may endorse the existing Certificate. Such a Certificate shall be accepted as valid for a further period which shall not exceed 5 months from the expiry date.

1.5.6.5 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 the Certificate but this extension shall 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.

1.5.6.6 A Certificate, issued to a ship engaged on short voyages which has not been extended under the foregoing provisions of this section, may be extended by the Administration for a period of grace of up to one month from the date of expiry stated on it. When the renewal survey is completed, the new Certificate shall be valid to a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate before the extension was granted.

1.5.6.7 In special circumstances, as determined by the Administration, a new Certificate need not be dated from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate as required by 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness, 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness or 1.5.6 Duration and validity of International Certificate of Fitness. In these special circumstances, the new Certificate shall be valid to a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of completion of the renewal survey.

1.5.6.8 If an annual or intermediate survey is completed before the period specified in 1.5.2 Survey requirements, then:

1. the anniversary date shown on the Certificate shall be amended by endorsement to a date which shall not be more than 3 months later than the date on which the survey was completed;

2. the subsequent annual or intermediate survey required by 1.5.2 Survey requirements shall be completed at the intervals prescribed by that section using the new anniversary date; and

3. the expiry date may remain unchanged provided one or more annual or intermediate surveys, as appropriate, are carried out so that the maximum intervals between the surveys prescribed by 1.5.2 Survey requirements are not exceeded.

1.5.6.9 A Certificate issued under 1.5.4 Issue of International Certificate of Fitness or 1.5.5 Issue or endorsement of International Certificate of Fitness by another Government shall cease to be valid in any of the following cases:

1. if the relevant surveys are not completed within the periods specified under 1.5.2 Survey requirements;

2. if the Certificate is not endorsed in accordance with 1.5.2 Survey requirementsor 1.5.2 Survey requirements;

3. upon transfer of the ship to the flag of another State. A new certificate shall only be issued when the Government issuing the new Certificate is fully satisfied that the ship is in compliance with the requirements of 1.5.3 Maintenance of conditions after survey and 1.5.3 Maintenance of conditions after survey. In the case of a transfer between Governments that are both a Contracting Government to the SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and a Party to MARPOL - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, if requested within 3 months after the transfer has taken place, the Government of the State whose flag the ship was formerly entitled to fly shall, as soon as possible, transmit to the Administration copies of the Certificate carried by the ship before the transfer and, if available, copies of the relevant survey reports.