Surveys, Verifications and Certification

All ships must be surveyed and verified by officers of the flag State Administrations or their recognized organizations (ROs)/recognized security organizations (RSOs)/nominated surveyors so that relevant certificates can be issued to establish that the ships are designed, constructed, maintained and managed in compliance with the requirements of IMO Conventions, Codes and other instruments.
 
IMO Conventions, Codes and other instruments


1.    Conventions:
      SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines, Tonnage 69, COLREG 72, AFS 2001, BWM 2004 , etc;
2.    Codes:
      ISM, ISPS, HSC 1994/2000, IBC/BHC, IGC/GC, MODU, SPS, 2011 ESP, RO Codes, etc; and
3.    Other instruments (for updated list of non-mandatory instruments, refer to GISIS Module on
      non-mandatory instruments at https://gisis.imo.org/Public/INSTR/Default.aspx ): Test

    • Global and uniform implementation of the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) (resolution A.883(21));
    • Survey guidelines under the Harmonized System on Survey and Certification (HSSC), 2015 (resolution A.1104(29));
    • 2014 Guidelines on survey and certification of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) (MEPC.254(67)), as amended by MEPC.261(68);
    • 2010 Guidelines for survey and certification of anti-fouling systems on ships (MEPC.195(61));
    • Interim Survey Guidelines for the purpose of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (BWM.2/Circ.7);
    • Surveys and inspections of ro-ro passenger ships (resolution A.794(19));
    • Revised Guidelines on the implementation of the international Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations (resolution A.1071(28))
    • Interim Guidance on control and compliance measures to enhance maritime security (MSC.159(78))
    • etc.  
        

Certificates and documents
 
Certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships are listed in FAL.2/Circ.127-MEPC.1/Circ.817-MSC.1/Circ.1462, which was issued on 1 July 2013 and is subject to updating.
 
They include (some depend on the type of ship):
• International Tonnage Certificate;
• International Load Line Certificate;
• Passenger Ship Safety Certificate;
• Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate;
• Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate;
• Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate
• Cargo Ship Safety Certificate
• Safety Management Certificate
• International Ship Security Certificate
• Stability Information;
• Damage Control Information;
• Cargo Securing Manual
• Minimum safe manning document;
• Certificates for masters, officers or ratings;
• International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate;
• International Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances;
• International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate;
• International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate;
• International Anti-fouling System Certificate;
• Oil Record Book;
• Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan;
• Garbage Management Plan;
• Garbage Record Book;
• etc.
 
The certificates and documents are issued by the officers of flag State Administrations or their ROs/RSOs/nominated surveyors authorized for the purpose and are subject to inspection by port State control officers (PSCOs).
Reporting on exemption and equivalents under IMO mandatory instruments by flag Administrations, as well as the provision of specimen certificates, can be arranged using the GISIS module on Survey and Certification which can be accessed by Members (resolution A.1074(28) on notification and circulation through GISIS).