Master’s office / responsibilities

1. Certificates
- Oiginal copies of all trading certificates and documents are available
2. STCW
- Verification that the Master, officers and ratings are certificated as
required by the STCW Convention
- Verification that the “Letter of receipt of application for a COE” is
available on board for officers sailing under the ships flag but who have not
yet received endorsement
3. SOPEP/SMPEP
- Approved, up to date and with all contact details included
4. ISM emergency preparedness
- Drills to be carried out regularly and effectively, with documented
evidence

Bridge area
1. Nautical publications
- Valid and as required for the voyage
2. Charts
- Correct charts for voyages being undertaken and corrected as
necessary
3. Magnetic compass
- Easily readable and correctly adjusted (deviation card)
- Confirmation that a table or curves of residual deviations for the
magnetic compass is available on board
- Verification that the magnetic compass deviation book is properly
maintained
4. Lights, shapes, sound-signals
- Verification that the required sound signalling equipment (whistles,
forecastlebell, gong), alarms, PA systems and shapes are in satisfactory
working condition
- Verification that the required navigation lights are in satisfactory
working condition
5. GMDSS
- In working order and last radio surveyor’s report is available
6. EPIRB
- In working order; updated maintenance records available and located
in a float free position which can also be accessed by ships staff without the
need to climb a vertical ladder
7. Fire detection cabinet
- Alarms in working order including sensors, call points and fault
alarms
8. Others
- Verification that pyrotechnics, line throwers, immersion suits and life
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jackets are in place and in date
- Verification that "Hours of rest" book has been completed and is
accurate
- Passage plans in place, berth to berth
Life saving appliances
1. Emergency lighting and batteries
- Verification of the lighting of the muster and embarkation stations,
alleyways, stairways and exits giving access to the muster and embarkation
stations, including the emergency source of power (all ships)
2. Lifeboats
- Structure sound, examination of each lifeboat, including its
equipment and confirmation of the compulsory markings of each lifeboat
- Check of the lifting hooks, keel attachment, etc. and, where fitted, the
on-load release (Settings to b e exact!) and hydrostatic lock, including the
date of servicing or replacement
- Verification that the last date of launching and testing in water (three
monthly for davit launched, six monthly for freefall) are recorded in the log
book
- Examination of the launching appliances and embarkation
arrangements of each lifeboat
- Verification of the condition and operation of water spray and air
supply
systems where provided in totally enclosed lifeboats which have self-
contained air support systems
3. Lifeboat engine
- Verification that the engine of each lifeboat, if so fitted, satisfactorily
starts and operates both ahead and astern and fuel tank contents are
maintained at acceptable level
4. Lifeboat davit
- Well maintained and in good working order and attestations and
reports of annual thorough examination and five year load tests are
available
5. Lifeboat inventory
- Confirmation that the record indicating that the lifeboat equipment
was
examined and found to be complete has been entered in the log book
6. Lifebuoys
- Examination of the provision, disposition, stowage and the condition
of
lifebuoys
- Confirmation that they are provided with retro-reflective material, lights
and ropes
- Confirmation that MOB lifebuoys with smoke/lights meet with the
minimum requirement for weight as per LSA code and requirement of
smoke/light device
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7. Lifejackets, immersion suits & TPAs
- Examination of the provision, disposition, stowage and the condition
of
lifejacket, immersion suits & TPAs
- Confirmation that they are provided with whistle, retro-reflective
material and lights
8. Inflatable liferafts
- General examination of each inflatable liferaft and its hydrostatic
release unit and float free arrangements, including the date of servicing or
replacement
- Confirmation that the liferaft stowage will facilitate a proper release.
Accommodations
1. Fire doors
- Examination of manual and automatic fire doors and verification of
their working condition and able to close tight
- Verification that fire doors are self closing and self latching, ensure
self closing doors have no hold back arrangements fitted other than those
that can be remotely released – e.g. magnetic
2. Fire fighting equipment
- Examination of the fire-fighting appliances, with working test as far as
necessary and practicable
- Examination of the hydrants, hoses, spanners and nozzles and
confirmation that they are at their respective locations
- Examination of the international shore connection and confirmation
that it is located as shown on the Fire Control Plan
- Verification that the connection bolts dimensions is as per regulation
and must be stored next to the connection. The correct joint must also be
available at the location as should correct size spanner
- Confirmation that the fire fighter's outfits are complete (correct
number of suits are available) and in satisfactory condition
- Confirmation that the cylinders, including the spare cylinders, of any
selfcontained breathing apparatus are suitably charged
3. Fire control plan
- Confirmation that the fire-control plans are permanently exhibited, or,
alternatively, that emergency booklets containing information dealing with
fire
fighting are available on board
- Confirmation that a duplicate copy of the fire-control plans (or booklet)
is available in a prominently marked enclosure, external to the ship's
deckhouse
4. Signs, indications (weather tight doors, fire detectors,
fire
dampers, ventilation)
- All in place and as required
5. Emergency lighting and batteries
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- Tests of emergency lighting, transitional emergency lighting and
supplementary emergency lighting
- Verification that batteries are fully charged
6. Alarms and PA Systems
- Tests of general emergency alarms & signals, operational alarms
and public address systems functioning and clearly audible in all areas
7. Sanitary facilities
- Equipment in place, clean and functioning correctly
- Hot water available at wash areas and in the galley
- Living facilities adequate for conditions, ample bed covers etc
- Living areas clean and hygienic
Deck Area
1. Deck corrosion
- Weather decks, side shell above waterline and accessible parts of
the rudder well maintained, not corroded, holed or wasted
2. Railings, cat walks
- Guardrails, gangways, walkways, ladders and any other means
provided for the protection of the crew and means for safe passage for crew
well maintained, not corroded, holed or wasted
- Gangway watch and security checks in place as required
- Pilot ladder/hoist, condition and lighting arrangements
3. Cargo and other hatchways
- Examination of the means of securing the weathertightness of
machineryspace hatchways and of other hatchways on decks
- Verification of the satisfactory condition of hatch covers
- Verification of the satisfactory condition of hatch coamings and
stiffeners
- Verification of the satisfactory condition of clamping devices, retaining
bars and cleats
- Verification of the satisfactory condition and operation of hydraulic and
power components, wires, chains and link drives essential to closing and
securing (mechanically operated hatch covers)
- Verification of the satisfactory condition of wooden covers and
portable beams,carriers or sockets for the portable beams, and their
securing devices (pontoon hatch covers)
4. Weathertight doors and rubber sealing
- Examination of the means of closing and securing the
weathertightness of all openings in freeboard, superstructure and exposed
decks
5. Ventilators, air pipes, casings
- Examination of ventilators, including their coamings and closing
appliances
- Examination of air pipes and overflow pipes, including their coamings
and closing appliances
6. Winches and capstans
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- Examination of anchoring and mooring equipment, as far as
practicable, clearly markings and in good working condition
7. Fixed fire extinguishing installation
- Bottles/tanks serviced, level checked and dated; release
mechanisms & applicators in good condition and in place
- Examination of the fixed fire-fighting system for the cargo spaces and
confirmation that its operation mode is clearly indicated
- Confirmation of the operational readiness and maintenance
- Examination of the controls, piping, instructions and markings;
search for evidence of proper servicing, including date of last system tests
- Verification that the test of alarms for inert gas flooding and test of
remote fan/pump stops are performed and recorded
8. Fire fighting equipment
- Examination of the fire-fighting appliances, with working test as far as
practicable
- Examination of the hydrants, hoses, spanners and nozzles and
confirmation that they are at their respective locations
- Confirmation that the fire fighter's outfits are complete and in
satisfactory condition
- Confirmation that the cylinders, including the spare cylinders, of any
selfcontained breathing apparatus are suitably charged
9. Fire dampers, quick closing devices and means of
control
- Examination of fire divisions, examination and test where applicable
and as feasible of fire doors, dampers in ventilation ducts, means of closure
of skylights and other openings
10. Signs, indications (weather tight doors, fire detectors,
fire
dampers, ventilation)
- All in place and as required
11. Lighting
- Tests of main lights, emergency lighting, transitional emergency
lighting and supplementary emergency lighting
12. Alarms and PA Systems
- Tests of general emergency alarms & signals, operational alarms
and public address systems functioning and clearly audible in all areas
Working spaces
1. Emergency fire pump
- Capable of being started easily
- Examination of the emergency fire pump and verification that it can be
operated so as to simultaneously produce two (2) jets of water from different
hydrants at any part of the ship whilst the required pressure is maintained in
the fire main
- Verification of the operation of the engine room isolation valve in fire
main
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2. Emergency generator
- Auto start-up on black-out. Manual operation and connection to the
switchboard signposted & tested
- Tests of the emergency sources of electrical power, their automatic
arrangements and associated circuits
- Verification of operation of first start (dead ship) arrangements
3. Lighting
- Adequate and with covers fitted & clean
- Tests of emergency lighting, transitional emergency lighting, and
supplementary emergency lighting
Engine Room
1. Retention of oil onboard
- Tanks correctly identified and any disposals documented
- Visual examination of records of various oil-discharge monitoring and
control systems
2. Cleanliness of engine room
- Clean, no oil leaks, clean bilges/tank tops/save alls, good
housekeeping
3. Auxiliary engines
- All in working order. No leaks!
- General examination of the machinery, the boilers, all steam,
hydraulic,
pneumatic and other systems and their associated fittings; verification that
the
spaces where this equipment is located are properly maintained, particular
attention being paid to fire and explosion hazards.
- Examination of the means for the operation of the main and auxiliary
machineries essential for the safety of the ship (including the control,
monitoring, reporting, alert and safety action)
4. Propulsion main engine
- All in working order. No leaks!
- General examination of the machinery, the boilers, all steam,
hydraulic,
pneumatic and other systems and their associated fittings; verification that
the
spaces where this equipment is located are properly maintained, particular
attention being paid to fire and explosion hazards
5. Jacketed piping system for high pressure fuel lines
- Confirmation that all external high-pressure fuel oil delivery lines
between the high-pressure fuel oil pump and fuel oil injectors are protected
with a jacketed piping system capable of containing fuel from a fuel line
failure
Verification that a fuel oil leakage alarm is given in the event of a pipe failure
6. Oil filtering equipment (oily water separator)
- No illegal pipe work (magic pipe!); no oil in overboard discharge pipe;
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external examination of the oil filtering equipment shows no defect;
- Check satisfactory operation. Test of the operation of the automatic
means provided to stop the discharge of effluent overboard
7. 15 PPM alarm arrangements
- Functioning as required & instructions posted
- Examination of the oil content meter (15-ppm alarm and bilge
monitor), for equipment approved under MEPC 107(49), verification of the
calibration record or calibration certificate
8. Oil record book
- Confirmation that appropriate entries are being made in the Oil
Record Book, Part I, as required by Reg. 17, Annex I, Marpol 73/78
- Confirmation that all completed pages are signed by the Master, no
spaces left empty between entries, no use of correction fluid etc;
- Visual examination of records of various oil-discharge monitoring and
control systems
9. Fire pumps
- Examination of fire pumps and verification that each of them can be
operated separately so as to simultaneously produce two (2) jets of water
from different hydrants at any part of the ship whilst the required pressure is
maintained in the fire main
- Confirmation that where remote start is provided, the valve
arrangement and configuration is correct
10. Steering gear
- Examination and working test of the main steering arrangements,
including their associated equipment and control systems.
- Confirmation that the emergency instructions are posted
- Confirmation of the arrangements to relay instructions from bridge to
emergency steering position is clear and audible, confirmation that visual
indication exists at emergency steering position for rudder angle
11. Signs, indications (weather tight doors, fire detectors,
fire
dampers, ventilation)
- All in place and as required
12. Emergency lighting and batteries
- Tests of emergency lighting, transitional emergency lighting, and
supplementary emergency lighting
13. Alarms and PA Systems
- Tests of general emergency alarms and signals, operational alarms
and public address systems functioning and clearly audible in all areas
14. Fire fighting equipment
- Examination of the fire-fighting appliances, with working test as far as
necessary and practicable
- Examination of the hydrants, hoses, spanners and nozzles and
confirmation that they are at their respective locations
- Examination of the international shore connection and confirmation
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that it is located as shown on the Fire Control Plan
- Confirmation that the fire fighter's outfits are complete and in
satisfactory condition
- Confirmation that the cylinders, including the spare cylinders, of any
selfcontained breathing apparatus, are suitably charged
15. Weather tight doors
- In good condition and secured correctly. All seals correctly fitted and
free from cracking and paint
- Verification, as far as practicable and as appropriate, of the operation
of the remote control means provided for the closure of power operated and
other doors
- Test of operation of the remote control means provided for the
closure of poweroperated doors and other doors