Ship Surveys

1. Hull & Machinery Surveys

These are periodical surveys conducted on behalf of Classification Societies in case of classed vessels or for shipowners of non-classed vessels seeking certification which may be requested by insurers, government bodies. They include Docking surveys, Propeller Shaft surveys, Boiler and refrigerating plant surveys. Class will also conduct unscheduled surveys, often termed “Occasional Surveys” in case of damage to the vessel for example.

 

2. Statutory Surveys

Signatory countries of IMO conventions demand that ships flying their flag are inspected to ensure that the rules and regulations established under the conventions are fully observed by ship operators. As there are overlaps regarding the scope of class and statutory surveys class surveyors are naturally authorized to carry out Statutory surveys also.  There are more than 50 of these conventions, not to mention the protocols which followed the conventions’ decisions, the most important of which being the SOLAS , MARPOL,LOADLINE and STCW conventions.

 

3. Condition Surveys

The certification of vessels whether classed or not is a priority for Flag states and port authorities amongst other bodies or parties having an interest in a vessel. Condition surveys which mingle the requirements of Class and statutory surveys are meant to ensure that a vessel is fit to proceed to sea in a seaworthy condition.

 

4. Safety Surveys

These are mostly conducted by flag states appointed surveyors to ensure that the provisions of the states’ Merchant Shipping legislation are at all times being fully adhered to. The vessels’ trading certificates especially those issued following statutory surveys are closely examined to ensure that they have valid expiry dates with no outstanding deficiencies. The inspections include the verification of the proper manning of the vessel as per pre-established manning scales and also testing the reactivity of the crew to address emergency situations.

 

5. P&I entry and Insurance Surveys

These are basically a combination of condition and safety surveys to enable the management of P&I Clubs to decide on whether to accept the shipowner/vessel as member of the club and to fix the shipowner’s contribution in monetary terms (the Premium). The same stands insurer for the H&M insurers.

 

6. Damage and repair Surveys

P&I surveys will also be required whenever there is damage caused to third parties and insurance surveys when damages are sustained by the insured vessel herself. The scope of the survey usually extends to establishing the extent and mode of repairs required and monitoring the costs thereof.

 

7. Pre-Purchase Surveys

A prospective shipowner will want to know detailed features, condition and operability of a vessel before committing any funds for her purchase. A thorough examination of the vessel’s Hull, holds, tanks machinery & machinery space, steering gear space deck equipment, cargo gear, pumping arrangement, accommodation, navigating bridge and equipment are a prerequisite for the ordering party to assess the value of the vessel. The surveyor’s attention to every detail which may have an impact on the purchase price of the vessel cannot be overstated.

 

8. On/Off-Hire Surveys

These are surveys conducted at the beginning and end of a charter period for the purpose of establishing the condition of the vessel at these points in time. Although the surveyor concentrates on the cargo working area of the vessel—holds, tank tops, side & end bulkheads, Hatch covers, hatch coamings ,decks, railings, bulwarks in way of hatches, cranes and mast houses , bridgefront bulkhead—he may be asked to inspect the vessel’s accommodation, machinery and navigational areas especially if a vessel is intended  to be hired for a long period.. What almost invariably forms part of the survey is a bunker survey which enables each party to the charter contract to settle in monetary terms or by way of a new supply of bunkers the difference between the quantities observed at the On-Hire and Off-Hire surveys.

 

9. Towing Survey

This is a survey usually requested by an insurance company for the purpose of providing cover for a vessel under tow for one particular voyage. Apart from the requirements of a loadline survey, the surveyor will ensure that the towed vessel  gets further attention against water entry by blanking openings which may not be normally closed during the vessel’s normal operation, the more so if she is unmanned during the voyage. The tug will also need to be inspected to ensure that the towing arrangement is adequate and that she has the means in terms of bollard pull, enough bunkers to undertake the voyage and radio equipment and other navigational equipment to receive radio warnings and regular weather forecasts. The vessel’s Classification Society will for all intents and purposes be called upon to conduct the same survey.

 

10. Marine Casualty Investigation

Although Shipowners, Charterers, their respective P&I Clubs and H&M Insurers may wish to be appraised of any incident concerning a vessel and her operation, Port and Flag-State Authorities will almost always impose a thorough investigation on the cause of any major casualty, especially one leading to human fatality. The investigation is not necessarily for punitive reasons but to case-study each incident with a view to avoiding a future repetition thereof. The studies are often the subject of Safety alerts issued by flag states culminating in Merchant shipping legislation or become part of the policy manuals of the vessel’s technical managers.