SHIP CLASSIFICATION and CLASS DOCUMENTS
STATUTORY SURVEYS AND DOCUMENTS Statutory certificates
What is a statutory certificate? One required under a statute, i. e. an Act of Parliament, or a government regulation (Regulations, Rules or an Order) made under an Act of Parliament. Certificates required by international conventions such as SOLAS and MARPOL become statutory when the convention is given legal effect in the party state. Is a Certificate of Class a statutory
certificate? No, it is a commercial document. Class is not a statutory requirement.
Statutory ship classes
What are the various classes of
passenger ship? Classes I to VI(A). What are the various classes of non-
passenger ship? Classes VII to XII. These include various classes of cargo ship, as well as certain other ship types.
Passenger ship classes
Which ships are Class I ships? Passenger ships engaged on voyages (not being short international voyages) any of which are long international voyages. (This class includes cruise ships, deep-sea cargo vessels carrying 13 or more passengers, some RFAs, etc. ). Which ships are Class II ships? Passenger ships engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages)
any of which are short international voyages (e. g. cross-Channel ferries). Which ships are Class II(A) ships? Passenger ships (other than ships of Classes III to Vl(A) inclusive) engaged on
voyages of any kind other than international voyages (e. g. ferries on domestic services between the Scottish mainland and islands).
Which ships are Class III ships? Passenger ships engaged only on voyages in the course of which they are at no time more than 70 miles by sea from their port of departure and not more than 18 miles from the coast of the United Kingdom, and which are at sea only in favourable weather and during restricted periods (e. g. the paddle steamer
Waverley).
Which ships are Class IV ships? Passenger ships engaged only on voyages in Category D waters, or voyages in Category A, B or C and Category D waters.
Which ships are Class V ships? Passenger ships engaged only on voyages in Category A, B or C waters. Which ships are Class VI ships? Passenger ships engaged only on voyages with not more than 250 passengers
on board, to sea, or in Category A, B or C or in Category D waters, in all cases in favourable weather and during restricted periods, in the course of which the ships are at no time more than 15 miles, exclusive of any Category A, B or C waters, from their point of departure nor more than 3 miles from land.
Which ships are Class VI(A) ships? Passenger ships carrying not more than 50 passengers for a distance of not more than 6 miles on voyages to or from isolated communities on the islands or coast of the United Kingdom and which do not proceed for a distance of more than 3 miles from land; subject to any conditions which the Secretary of State may impose.
Construction regulations applicable to classes of passenger ship
Two sets of Passenger Ship Construction Regulations apply to different classes of passenger ship. What are they?
The MS (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes I, II and II(A)) Regulations 1998
and The MS (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes III to VI(A)) Regulations
1998. (They consolidated and revokedmany old regulations concerning passenger ship construction, survey and stability, and also revoked the Anchors and Chain Cables
Plying limits for passenger ships of Classes IV, V and VI
What are Category A waters? Narrow rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally less than 1. 5 metres. What are Category B waters? Wider rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally more than 1. 5 metres
and where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 0. 6 metres at any time.
What are Category C waters? Tidal rivers and estuaries and large, deep lakes and lochs where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 1. 2 metres at any time.
What are Category D waters? Tidal rivers and estuaries where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 2. 0 metres at any time.
What is the reason for categorising
waters? For determining the application of merchant shipping regulations to Class IV, V and VI passenger ships. Where can you find information
about Category A, B, C and D waters?
In the Categorisation of Waters Regulations and in MSN 1719.
Non-passenger ship classes
Which ships are Class VII ships? Ships (other than ships of Classes I, VII(T), XI and XII) engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages (e. g. ocean-going dry-cargo vessels). Which ships are Class VII(T) ships? Tankers engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages (e. g.
ocean-going tankers).
Which ships are Class VIII ships? Ships (other than ships of Classes II, VIII(T), IX, XI and XII) engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages (e. g. coastal dry-cargo vessels).
Which ships are Class VIII(T)
ships? Tankers engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages (e. g. tankers trading UK and near-Continent). Which ships are Class VIII(A)
ships? Ships (other than ships of Classes II(A) to VI(A) inclusive), VIII(A)(T), IX, IX(A), IX(A)(T), XI and XII) engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages (e. g. dry-cargo vessels trading only domestically).
Which ships are Class VIII(A)(T)
ships? Tankers engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages (e. g. tankers trading UK coastwise only). Which ships are Class IX ships? Tugs and tenders (other than ships of Classes II, II(A), III, VI and VI(A) which
proceed to sea but are not engaged on long international voyages (e. g. coastal tugs).
Which ships are Class IX(A) ships? Ships (other than ships of Classes IV to VI inclusive) which do not proceed to sea (e. g. harbour dredgers).
Which ships are Class IX(A)(T)
ships? Tankers which do not proceed to sea (e. g. harbour bunker barges).
Which ships are Class XI ships? Sailing ships (other than ships of Class XII) which proceed to sea (e. g. sail training vessels)
Which ships are Class XII ships? Pleasure craft of 13. 7 metres in length or over (e. g. large motor and other yachts). Is there a Class X? Not amongst merchant ship classes. Class X ships are fishing boats.
SOLAS certificates
What are the main ship certificates issued under the SOLAS
Convention?
(1) Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC); (2) Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate (SCC); (3) Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (SEC); (4) Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate (SRC); (5) Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (CSSC). Collectively these may be called 'SOLAS certificates' or 'safety certificates'. SOLAS also provides for the issue of Exemption Certificates.
Which ships are 'passenger ships'
for SOLAS certification purposes? Ships carrying more than 12 passengers. A passenger ship actually carrying less than 13 passengers on a voyage may operate and be certificated on that voyage as a cargo ship.
Who is defined by SOLAS as a
passenger? Every person other than (a) the master, crew members and other persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board on ship's business; and (b) a child under 1 year old.
Which ships are 'cargo ships' for
SOLAS certification purposes? All ships other than passenger ships (whether they are true cargo-carrying ships or not). You are joining your first offshore
supply vessel when you notice that the stern light is not right an. Is this permitted? What would you do about it?
It is probably permitted. I would check the Safety Equipment Certificate to see if there is an Exemption Certificate attached with a reference to the stern light and alternative arrangements to be made. (In any case where the vessel can not comply fully with SOLAS requirements, the owners should have applied to the flag state Administration for an Exemption, and an Exemption Certificate should be in force. ) What are the usual contents of an
Exemption Certificate?
The identity of the particular regulation(s) (or parts thereof) exempted from; the alternative arrangements and conditions imposed by the flag state administration; surveyor's signature, port, date, official stamp.
When will an Exemption Certificate expire?
When the related ship certificate expires.
MARPOL certificates
What certificates may be issued under the provisions of the MARPOL Convention?
(1) International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPPC); (2) International Noxious Liquid Substances Certificate (INLSC); and (3) Exemption Certificate. Is an OPIC a MARPOL certificate? No. An Oil Pollution Insurance Certificate is a requirement of another convention, the
Civil Liability Convention (known as the CLC).
Is a UKOPPC a MARPOL certificate? No. A UK Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate is issued under the UK Merchant Shipping Acts to vessels trading on non-international voyages, although it certifies that the ship meets MARPOL-equivalent standards contained in UK regulations.
Load Line Convention certificates
What certificates may be issued under the provisions of the Load Line Convention?
(1) International Load Line Certificate (1966); (2) International Load Line Exemption Certificate.
Harmonised System of Survey and Certification
When did the IMO Harmonised System of Survey and Certification (Harmonised System of Survey and Certification) come into force internationally and in the UK?
It came into international effect on 3rd February 2000. It was implemented in the UK on 8th June 2000 when the MS (Survey and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations
2000 and the MS (Load Lines) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 came into force. What are the main benefits of the
Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
A ship will no longer have to go out of service for survey to meet the requirements of one convention shortly after having to do so for another convention.
Broadly, which certificates are included in the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
All SOMS, MARPOL and Load Line Convention certificates, including certificates issued under the international gas (IGC) and chemical tanker (IBC) codes, and the BCH Code for older chemical tankers.
Specifically, which ship certificates are covered by the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
Passenger Ship Safety Certificate; Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate; Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate; Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate; Cargo Ship Safety Certificate; International Load Lines Certificate; International Load Lines Exemption Certificate; International Oil Pollution Prevention certificate;
International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk; International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in bulk; Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk; International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.
What main change to ship certificates does the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification make?
All certificates for cargo ships will have a 5-year maximum validity. (Previously, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificates were valid for a maximum of 2 years, while Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificates were valid for 1 year. )
Does the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification make any change to the validity of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate?
No, it remains a 1-year certificate.
What change is made to the renewal survey arrangements under the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
The renewal survey may be completed within 3 months before the expiry date of an existing certificate with no loss of its period of validity.
What change is made to certificate extension periods under the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
Extension of certificates is limited to 3 months to enable a ship to complete its voyage (or 1 month for ships engaged on short voyages) (as compared with 5 months under previous regulations).
Where an extension has been granted, from when does validity of the new certificate start?
From the expiry date of the existing certificate before its extension. How will a ship switch to the
Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
The owner/manager, together with the certifying authority (e. g. the classification society) will decide on a mutually convenient date for introducing the system for the ship; this may not be later than the expiry date of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate. Although some certificates will still be in force when the ship switches to the harmonised system, renewal surveys for all certificates will have to be carried out whether due or not, and new certificates issued.
What are the various types of survey in the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
(1) Initial survey; (2) periodical survey; (3) renewal survey; (4) intermediate survey; (5) annual survey; and (6) additional survey.
What is an initial survey in the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
A complete inspection of all the items relating to the particular certificate before the ship is put into service to ensure that they are in a satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which the ship is intended.
What is a periodical survey in the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
An inspection of the items relating to the particular certificate to ensure that they are in a satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which the ship is
intended. What is a renewal survey in the
Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
As for a periodical survey, but also leads to the issue of a new certificate. What is an intermediate survey in
the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
An inspection of specified items relevant to the particular certificate to ensure that they are in a satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which the ship is intended.
When are intermediate surveys carried out?
An intermediate survey is normally carried out within 6 months either side of the mid-point of the validity period of the certificate, i. e. between 24 months and 36 months. For a 5- year validity certificate this allows the intermediate survey to replace either the second or third annual survey, which reduces the survey burden on shipowners.
What is an annual survey in the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
A general inspection of the items relating to the particular certificate to ensure that they have been maintained and remain satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended.
When are annual surveys carried
out? Within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the certificate, usually counted from completion of the initial survey. What is an additional survey in the
Harmonised System of Survey and Certification?
An inspection, either general or partial according to the circumstances, to be made after a repair resulting from investigations or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made.
Survey and Certification Regulations
What is a statutory survey? One required by a government regulation, as opposed to a class survey, which is not a statutory requirement.
Which UK regulations enforce SOLAS
survey requirements in the UK? The Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 1995.
What IMO instrument do the MS (Survey and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 implement?
The SOLAS Protocol of 1988 which introduces the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification. (See sub-section above dealing with this system. )
Who is responsible for carrying out
surveys of UK ships? Except for surveys of radio installations, and surveys where a certificate is to be issued by another government at the request of the MCA, surveys of UK ships are carried out by surveyors appointed by an appropriate Certifying Authority. Who is an 'appropriate Certifying
Authority' for carrying out surveys of UK ships?
In relation to passenger ships and safety equipment of cargo ships, the MCA. In relation to cargo ships, except their radio installations and safety equipment, the MCA or surveyors of the British Committees of Lloyd's Register of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas, American Bureau of Shipping, Germanischer Lloyd or Registro Italiano Navale.
Who may carry out surveys of radio
installations of UK ships? Radio surveys on passenger ships in UK ports are carried out by GEC-Marconi. Surveys at non-UK ports may be carried out, at the of the shipowner's option, by either GEC-Marconi or, if the MCA has appointed a local surveyor in a port, by that surveyor, or by a foreign government at the request of the MCA.
Who may carry out surveys of
cargo ship safety equipment? Surveys in UK ports or territorial waters of cargo ship safety equipment may only be carried out by MCA surveyors. Surveys in other ports and waters may be carried out by surveyors of other Certifying Authorities.
Who may carry out surveys of UK
ro-ro passenger ships? Only MCA surveyors. Who may carry out surveys of UK
passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships?
They may be carried out in part by a surveyor appointed by another Certifying Authority authorised for that purpose by the MCA.
Who may carry out surveys of
radio-navigational equipment? At the option of the owner they may be carried out by an appropriate Certifying Authority, or by the MCA What surveys are required for a UK
passenger ship? Before a passenger ship is put into service she must have an initial survey as set out in MSN 1751. Before the end of every 12-month period following the issue of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, she must have a passenger ship
renewal survey as in MSN 1751. There must also be two inspections of the ship's bottom, out of the water, to take place within any 5-year period, and within
intervals of not more than 36 months. Also, after a repair resulting from
investigations following a report to the MCA or a proper officer of an accident or a defect affecting the safety of the ship or its life-saving appliances, there must be an additional survey.
What surveys are required for the safety equipment of a UK cargo ship of 500 GT or more on international voyages?
(1 ) Before the ship is put in service, a cargo ship safety equipment initial survey
as in MSN 1751 is required. (2) At the intervals specified in MSN 1751 (which
equipment renewal sunrvey as in MSN 1751 is required. (3) Within 3 months before or after the 2nd or 3rd anniversary date of a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
first being issued, a cargo ship safety equipment periodical survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (4) Within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the issue of the ship's Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, other than where a periodical survey is required to be carried out within that period, an annual survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (5) After a repair resulting from investigations following a reported accident or defect affecting safety or LSA, or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made, an additional survey as in MSN 1751 is required.
What surveys are required for the radio installations of a UK cargo ship of 300 GT or more engaged on international voyages?
(1) Before the ship is put in service, a cargo ship radio installations initial survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (2) At the intervals specified in MSN 1751 (which can be no more than 5 years) a cargo ship radio installations renewal survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (3) Within 3 months before or after the 2nd or 3rd anniversary date of a
Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate first being issued, a cargo ship radio installations periodical survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (4) After a repair resulting from investigations following a reported accident or defect affecting safety or LSA, or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made, an additional survey as in MSN 1751 is required.
What surveys are required for the structure, machinery and
equipment (other than safety equipment or radio equipment) of a UK cargo ship of any tonnage, engaged on any type of voyages? What are the responsibilities of the owner and the master under the Survey and Certification
Regulations?
(1 ) Before the ship is put in service, a cargo ship structure, etc. initial survey, including an inspection of the ship's bottom as in MSN 1751 is required. (2) At the intervals specified in MSN 1751 (which may be no more than 5 years) a cargo ship structure, etc.
renewal survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (3) Within 3 months before or after the 2nd or
3rd anniversary date of a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate first being issued, a
cargo ship structure, etc. intermediate survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (4) Within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the issue of the ship's Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, other than where a cargo ship structure, etc. renewal or
intermediate survey is required to be carried out within that period, a cargo ship structure,
etc. annual survey as in MSN 1751 is required. (5) Two inspections of the ship's bottom
as in MSN 1751 are required to take place within any 5-year period and at intervals not exceeding 36 months. (6) After a repair resulting from investigations following a reported accident or defect affecting safety or LSA, or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made, an additional survey as in MSN 1751 is required. To ensure that: (1) the condition of the ship and its equipment is maintained to conform with the provisions of the