Section 4 Survey requirements

4.1.1 Following satisfactory review of the plans and other information submitted (see Pt 7, Ch 11, 1.5 Information to be submitted), an ECO Initial Survey is to be undertaken for ships under construction or in service.

4.1.2 At the ECO Initial Survey, the Surveyor is to be satisfied that the requirements of these Rules, including those relating to any requested supplementary characters, are complied with. The Surveyor is to verify that the hull and machinery arrangements are in accordance with the approved documentation. The installed equipment, together with associated control and alarm systems, is to be demonstrated under working conditions.

4.1.3 Following the successful completion of the Initial Survey, the ECO notation may be assigned to a ship. The ECO notation will be valid, in the first instance until the first ECO Annual Survey. At the first Annual Survey, an audit of the operational procedures as required by these Rules is to be undertaken. Prior to the LR audit, the operational procedures must have been fully implemented and audited by the Operator and the applicable record books must contain in-service records for a period of at least 3 months.

4.1.4 Audits are to confirm by direct observation, examination of internal audit reports and scrutiny of records that each of the procedures has been implemented over the preceding period. It is also to be verified that:

1. the required resources and equipment have been provided; and

2. the ship's staff are aware of their duties and responsibilities, and can perform the assigned tasks.

4.2.1  ECO Annual Surveys and Audits are to be held on all ships to which the ECO notation applies within three months of each anniversary for assignment of the full ECO notation.

4.2.2 At the ECO Annual Survey and Audit, the Surveyor is to be satisfied that the arrangements and equipment comply with these Rules and operating procedures have been implemented. As far as possible, the installed equipment, together with associated control and alarm systems, are to be demonstrated under working conditions. Additionally:

1. where changes to arrangements or equipment fitted to meet the requirements of these Rules have been made, it is to be verified that these changes are in accordance with approved documentation; and

2. records for the preceding 12 months are to be reviewed.

4.2.3  ECO Audits are to be undertaken in accordance with the requirements given in Pt 7, Ch 11, 4.1 Initial Survey and Audit 4.1.4.

4.2.4 Where the periodical surveys and audits are not completed in accordance with Pt 7, Ch 11, 4.2 Periodical Surveys and Audits 4.2.1, the ECO Notation will be suspended. Re-instatement will be subject to surveys being held appropriate to the age of the ship and the circumstances of the case.

4.2.5 Where the periodical surveys and audits identify non-conformances, the ECO notation will be suspended. Re-instatement will be as directed by the Classification Committee, appropriate to the circumstances of the case.

4.3.1 Where the company (as defined in the ISM Code) changes, the ECO notation will be suspended.

4.3.2 The new company may adopt the existing approved procedures as required by these Rules or may compile new procedures.

4.3.3 Following implementation of the procedures, an audit, in accordance with the requirements in Pt 7, Ch 11, 4.1 Initial Survey and Audit 4.1.3 and Pt 7, Ch 11, 4.1 Initial Survey and Audit 4.1.4, is to be undertaken.

4.3.4 The ECO notation will be re-assigned following successful completion of the audit provided that the ship has a valid Safety Management Certificate (SMC) and the general requirements given in Pt 7, Ch 11, 2.1 General 2.1.1 are complied with.