“In Water

Survey”(abbrev
iated to IWS)

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  The notation of “In Water Survey”(abbreviated to IWS) is affixed
to the Classification Character of the ships approved for In-water
surveys in lieu of Survey in the dry dock or on the slipway
according to the Amendments to Part A of the RULES FOR THE
SURVEY AND CONSTRUCTION OF STEEL SHIPS on 15 April
2009.

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  In-water survey (referred to by various classification
societies as IWS, BIS, etc.) is a method of surveying the
underwater parts of a ship while it is still afloat instead of
having to dry-dock it for examination of these areas as was
conventionally done.

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 For cargo ships, two surveys are required within a period of five years. One of these can be an in-water survey, provided the
ship is eligible for it.
The ship (tanker or bulk carrier) should not be more than 15 years old.
The bottom of the ship should not be painted black before carrying out the survey.

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  Classed ships are submitted to surveys for the maintenance of
class.
 These surveys include the class renewal survey ,
intermediate and annual survey , bottom survey 
(either survey  in  dry condition or in -water  survey ),
 tailshaft survey ,
 boiler survey , and surveys for the maintenance of additional
class notations, where applicable.

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  Such surveys are carried out at the intervals and under the
conditions laid down in  this Section. 
 In  addition to the above periodical surveys, ships are to be
submitted to occasional surveys whenever the circumstances
so require
 also when the Owner requires a specific survey  in  case of
sales;

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  For ships under the normal survey system (SS), one of the
bottom surveys to be performed in each period of class is to
be carried out in conjunction with the class renewal survey
and is to be a dry-docking survey.
 The Society may allow the bottom survey  carried out
between class renewal surveys to be replaced by an in -
water  survey ,
 Special consideration is to be given to ships of 15 years of age
and over before being permitted to have such in -water 
examinations.
 For ships with additional service feature   ESP and over 15
years of age, it is however reminded that a bottom survey in
dry dock is to be carried out concurrently with the
intermediate survey.

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  For ships under the continuous survey system of hull (CSH),
one of the bottom surveys to be performed in each period of
class is to be carried out in conjunction with the end of class
period.
 This bottom survey  may be an in -water  survey , and
provided that the previous bottom survey  performed in  the
period of class was a dry-docking survey .
 Special consideration is to be given to ships of 15 years of age
and over before being permitted to have such in -water 
examinations.

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  Ships with service notation   HSC,   HSC-CAT A,   HSC-
CAT B are to be submitted to a bottom survey in dry
condition at each annual survey and each class renewal
survey.

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  The interval between examinations of the outside of the ship's
bottom and related items for ships operating in fresh water
and for certain harbour or non-self-propelled craft may be
greater than that given above, as approved by the Society.

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   An in -water  survey  may normally be carried out if the
ship has been granted the additional class notation
  INWATERSURVEY 
 Upon application by the Owner, the Society may also
authorise, on a case-by-case basis, such bottom in -
water  survey  for ships not assigned with the additional
class notation   INWATERSURVEY.

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  In principle, no outstanding conditions of class are to exist
requiring repair work to be carried out to
 the underwater part of the shell plating, the rudder, the
propeller or the propeller shaft,
 unless the Society is satisfied that such repairs may be carried
out while the ship is afloat.

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  Proposals for in -water  survey  are to be submitted in 
advance of the survey  by the Owner so that satisfactory
arrangements can be agreed with the Society.

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  The in -water  survey  is to be carried out with the ship in 
sheltered water  and preferably with weak tidal streams and
currents.
 The in -water  visibility and the cleanliness of the hull below
the waterline are to be clear enough to permit a meaningful
examination allowing the Surveyor and the in -
water  survey  firm to determine the condition of the
plating, the appendages and the welding.

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  The equipment, procedure for observing and reporting
the survey  are to be discussed with the parties involved
prior to the in -water  survey , and
 suitable time is to be allowed to permit the in -
water  survey  firm to test all equipment beforehand.

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  The in -water  survey  is to be carried out under the
surveillance of a Surveyor by an in -water  survey  firm
approved as a service supplier by the
 The Surveyor is to be satisfied with the methods of
orientation of the diver(s) or remotely operated vehicle (ROV)
on the plating, which should make use where necessary of
permanent markings on the plating at selected points and
with the method of pictorial representation.
 An efficient two-way communication between the Surveyor
and the diver(s) is to be provided.

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  The in -water  survey  is to provide the information
normally obtained from a bottom survey  in  dry condition.
 Special consideration shall be given to ascertaining rudder
bearing clearances and stern bush clearances of oil stern
bearings based on a review of the operating history, on board
testing and stern oil sample reports.
 These considerations are to be included in  the proposals
for in -water  survey.

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  Upon completion of the survey, the approved diving firm is to
submit to the attending Society Surveyor a detailed report
including video tapes, as well as a photographic
documentation of the main parts inspected.

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  If the in -water  survey  reveals damage or deterioration
that requires immediate attention,
 the Surveyor may require that the ship be drydocked in  order
that a detailed survey  can be undertaken and the necessary
repairs carried out.

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PRE-
EXAMINATI
ON IN-  The first step to make an in-water survey possible is to
WATER send an initial application to the classification societies’
Ship Safety division indicating the intention to have any
SURVEY ship(s) participate in an in-water survey program.

PROGRAM

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  The ship then must be examined to get an approval of
Class Societies Ship Safety Headquarters to get into the In-
Water Survey Program.
 The diving company must be approved by the appropriate
Classification Society in order to execute this survey.

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  the Marine Surveyor is not satisfied with the outcome of
this first in-water survey or if the condition of the vessel
warrants a survey in dry dock this must be arranged by
the ship owner.

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  When you get the IWS notation and you want to conduct
an in-water survey,
IN-WATER  you must send a request to a Ship Safety office indicating
SURVEY information such as date and location of the survey,
general information on the diving company and a
REQUIREME schedule for undertaking the in-water survey.

NTS  This survey can be completed UP TO 3 months in advance

of the due date.
 This gives ship owners flexibility in scheduling this survey.

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  1. Master’s Statement
At the time of an in-water survey the Master or Owner’s
representative should provide a declaration of all
suspected or actual damage that has occurred since the
previous dry-docking.

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  2. Survey Site
The proposed survey site should be in a protected location
with calm clear water providing good underwater visibility.
Visibility is typically greater than 2 meters length.
 Sufficient visibility shall be available to enable the Marine
Surveyor to ascertain if the hull has undergone any
permanent setup or set down.
 Special attention should also be given to the effects of
current

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  3. Hull Condition
The hull should be clean for external survey and the
Marine Surveyor should be satisfied that the method and
quality of pictorial presentation is satisfactory and that the
information obtained enables a reliable assessment to be
made of the condition of the hull.
 The survey should be discontinued if the conditions or
equipment deteriorate to the extent that the transmitted
pictures and/or communications are no longer acceptable

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  4. Underwater Areas
An examination of the entire vessel below the waterline
should be carried out by a competent diver using closed
circuit television with two-way communication capable of
being monitored by the Marine Surveyor as required.
 Where practicable the in-water survey should be carried
out while the vessel is in Light Operating Condition to
facilitate the survey.

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  5. Above Waterline Areas
An examination of the outside of the shell plating above
the waterline and exposed portions of appendages should
be carried out by the Marine Surveyor.
 Means should be provided to enable the Surveyor to
accomplish this visual examination.

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  6. Internal Inspection
Where a defect or damage is detected or suspected as a
result of the in-water survey or the Master’s statement,
the internal structure should be examined as considered
necessary to clarify or confirm the findings.
 Vessels operating in ice should have the internal structure
examined in way of areas which are susceptible to ice
damage. In this respect, attention should be given to the
hazards associated with entering ship’s tanks.

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  7. Report
Copies of the diver’s report, pertinent colour photographs
and/or video tapes should be submitted to the attending
Marine Surveyor and Ship Safety Headquarters for record
purposes.

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STERN TUBE  oil lubricated Supreme stern tube seals, capable of doing
SEALS & bearing wear down measurements, are acceptable for
ships having an IWS notation.
SHIPS WITH  The procedure for doing wear down measurements is
IWS basically the same as doing these measurements in dry
dock.
NOTATION  have access through the rope guard if fitted!

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  be aware that some oil spillage may occur when removing
the stainless steel plug and check with relevant national
authorities if this is allowed.

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 The main benefits you will get with Bottom
Survey – In-water:
• No need to be in dry dock to be able to perform bottom survey
• Beneficial in areas of pour visibility or harsh environments where
the traditional bottom survey by diver or ROV is ineffective and/or
difficult to carry out
• Significant cost saving potential
• Can be carried out in combination with other surveys of e.g. tanks

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