Surveys and Inspection

Instruction: After watching the video and reading the article about ship survey and
inspection, answer the questions below. Write your answer in a word document
and submit here.

 1. In your own opinion, what is the difference between surveys and inspections?

Periodic surveys and inspections of ships are carried out to ensure the safety and
seaworthiness of vessels. With maritime laws becoming more stringent with each
passing year, sea-going vessels have to go through a series of inspections to meet
minimum requirements to continue sailing. From what I understand, the purpose of a
home inspection is to examine the condition of a vessel. Surveys, on the other hand, are
intended to identify property lines of a vessel.

 2. Identify all the Surveys that the ship is subjected to and justify why it is important for
the ship to fulfill each survey.

Annual surveys by classification society are a vital part of a ship’s trading eligibility. Thus
for a vessel to continue trading, various periodical surveys and certifications by
classification society are mandatory to ensure its continued compliance with
International regulations and endorsement. Various certificates require annual
endorsement after the class surveyor verifies that the conditions, functioning and
operational and maintenance requirements of the vessel are complied with. After the
class surveyor verifies the same, he endorses the certificates for the annual survey.
Annual surveys are namely Safety equipment survey, International oil pollution
prevention certificate survey, International air pollution prevention certificate survey, and
Safety Radio Survey.

An additional survey can be carried out after a condition of class has been imposed on a
vessel or major failure of critical equipment has been detected, which can endanger the
seaworthiness and safety of the vessel.

Dry dock surveys or intermediate surveys/ inspections are a more extensive form of

annual surveys in which several other functional, operational aspects and maintenance
routines of shipboard equipment are verified.
A safety construction survey will be focused on the structural strength of the vessel. It
will be assessed for any excessive corrosion of deck or hull, along with the condition of
watertight doors, bilge pumping and drainage systems, fire protection equipment, and
fixed and portable firefighting equipment.

 3. Explain the difference between a SIRE Inspection and a Port State Inspection

The industry-agreed Oil Companies' International Marine Forum (OCIMF) ship inspection report
program (SIRE) inspection format is used as the main ship inspection tool. Inspectors are asked
to report on all vessel or operational deficiencies and to detail both positive and negative
comments on the vessel's operations. While Port State Control (PSC) is the inspection of foreign
ships in national ports to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment comply with the
requirements of international regulations and that the ship is manned and operated in
compliance with these rules.