Staying compliant and in class
- SOLAS, MARPOL, the Load Line Convention, the applicable code and the class requirements for the machinery.
- Survey planning: the continuous machinery survey, the dry-docking and the statutory inspections.
- Maintaining the certificates and the ISM safety-management documentation.
- Preparing for and supporting surveyor and Port State Control inspections.
Keeping the machinery in class and the vessel certified is planned, not reactive: the Chief maps the survey items and the certificate renewals into the maintenance and compliance calendar, so surveys confirm known good condition rather than uncovering neglect. The continuous machinery survey spreads the class survey of the machinery across the cycle, and the Chief ensures each item is presented in good order. A lapsed certificate or a failed survey can detain the vessel, so compliance is managed as a core responsibility.
NOTE — No surprises at survey Plan the survey items into the maintenance programme and keep the records straight, so a surveyor's visit confirms what the Chief already knows rather than finding neglect.
WARNING — A failed survey or lapsed certificate detains the vessel A machinery item that fails survey, or a certificate allowed to lapse, can detain the vessel and cost far more than the maintenance would have. The Chief manages the survey cycle so this does not happen.