Vessel safety survey

Vessel safety surveys are important during the life of a vessel for better safety and security. These controls are directed by the classification societies and are very different (safety equipment, security, hoist, dock survey). For more details refer to the SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea). In order for a ships to have the authorisation to navigate there are controls in the harbor and also controls for the cargo (chemical cargo and gas cargo are very strict). The seafarers must have the knowledge of surveys, to avoid human and economic disasters.

The surveys depend on the age and type of the vessel. The certificates given by the classification societies are valid for five years. During these five years different controls on the hull are made (there are three damage levels, if the vessel of the damage levels check ups, it will not receive the certificate), and on the engine. To keep a certificate all requirements are compulsory. The Continuous survey hull (CSH) and Continuous survey machinery (CSM) are controls for the mooring, anchoring and the propulsion system. The special survey cycle (SS) is an alternative for the CSH and Engine survey (ES) for the CSM. The annual survey (AS) is a control of the safety equipment. There is an annual inspection that can be done during the three months period before or the three months after the annual date .There must be two docking survey (DS) during the five years of the certificate but it is possible to avoid one survey by doing the In-water Survey with the help of a diving inspection. The intermediate survey (ITSS) is between the second and the third year, and the subject of this survey depends on the age the vessel (generally, it is an inspection of ballast more or less detailed). For the chemical vessel, oil carrier surveys are more and more intensive with the age.

All merchant cargo must have the following certificates: Ship safety construction, Ship safety equipment, Ship safety radio in order to navigate. The exercises should be practiced regularly (the exercises are on safety: acceding in life saving appliance and fire safety system code). The means of evacuation (life raft, life boat, marine evacuation system) must be put to sea once a month and maneuvered once every three month. The GMDSS (global maritime distress on safety system) are controlled by the certificates .The pyrotechnic equipment is not tested on board but the personal equipment (immersion suit, life jacket) are regularly tested when there is exercises for abandon ship or if the master decides. The firefighting equipment is tested once a week (mask and breathing apparatus). The fire hoses are rarely tested inside the ship.

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