Certification of a Vessel - Part II
Before was dedicated to the first section – Classification Certificates. In this section the full spec-trum of the Statutory Certificates will be presented based on M/V BBC Russia as an example (a geared Dry-Cargo / Multi-Purpose vessel).
Section I – Classification Certificate
Section II – Statutory Certificates
Section III – Statutory Marpol Certificates
Section IV – Cargo and gear, lifting appliances
Section V – Permanent Certificates, DoC, LoC, SoC
Section VI – Special and Extraordinary
Section II – Statutory Certificates
Beside the Classification Society the Flagstate issues a lot of Certificates. The Flagstate has the authority and re-sponsibility to enforce regulations over vessels registered under its flag, including those relating to inspection, certi-fication, and issuance of safety and pollution prevention documents. As well they supervise the health and safety at work conditions of the crew members.
All Flagstates verified the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, the Organization lays down a comprehen-sive regime of law and order in the world’s Oceans and Seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.
From above graphic it can be seen which main Certificates are issued under the authority of the Flagstate, as well as SMC (ISM), ISSC (ISPS) and MLC. The most important Flag Certificates in relation to Classification shall be explained in more detail and why a Condition of Authority (CA) during a class survey may be issued.
A Condition of Authority (CA) will be imposed by the Class.
The CA sets up specific measures, repairs or surveys that shall be carried out within a specific time limit in order to maintain the statutory certificate.
A Condition of Authority must be solved within a period specified by the Class considering the importance of a defi-ciency or defect. There are two options: A) Remote survey: The Assistant of the Inspection Group sends evidence to Class Head Office about termination of the defi-ciency providing photos, documents and Master statements.
- B) On board survey: The Inspection Department orders a Class Surveyor attending the vessel in order to inspect the defect and make sure same has been rectified.
The Loadline Certificate consists mainly on the sections as describes in the graphic above. The Loadline convention, which is confirmed by holding a Loadline Certificate, basi-cally limits the ships on the minimum freeboard it needs to maintain. Evidence of meeting the freeboard requirements, already existed.
This was started in the UK, by a member of Parliament, Mr.
Plimsoll, after which certificates have been issued. Often a Surveyor or Inspector detects that for example the Plimsoll is not properly painted or the railings of a vessel are bent.
Not properly maintained hatchways and doorways are also frequently claimed.
The Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate defines the type of ship and that the condition of the structure, machin-ery and equipment are compliant with the relevant SOLAS Convention. In SOLAS the ship’s construction is regulated with regards to strength, maximum size of floodable com-partments, intact and damage stability, covered under the Safety Construction Certificate.
The Safety Equipment is one of the most sensitive verified Certificates. Comprising fire safety systems and appliances including fire control plans, life-saving appliances (LSA) and equipment (lifeboat, rescue boat), radio installation, shipborne navigational equipment, embarkation for pilots, nautical publications, lights, sound and distress signals and all other arrangements and equipment for fire protection and life-saving according to the SOLAS convention.
A fixed part of the Certificate is the record of equipment for cargo ship safety (Form E) and the record of approved ship safety equip-ment where the minimum required equipment for your ship is documented; including a section for equipment renewals, altera-tion and/or additions effected since the record was prepared.
The Safety Radio Certificate is surveyed periodically every year and the scope of survey is always the same. A class approved and maker authorized service company must be present on board to perform the survey reports providing to attending surveyor. Below components related to the Certificate are shown.
