OverviewAMSA has issued Marine Notice 9/2021 to announce that a Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) on Planned Maintenance will be conducted from 15 January 2022 to 30 March 2022. AMSA surveyors will undertake the FIC in conjunction with a normal port or flag State control inspection. Any port State control deficiencies will be reported to regional port State control databases.
Aim of FIC The purpose of the FIC is to determine the level of compliance with the maintenance requirements of the International Conventions.
Questionnaire AMSA PSCOs will be using a checklist (Appendix A) when inspecting ships as part of the planned maintenance FIC.
Actions requiredShip managers should be prepared to address related FICs items. Planned maintenance is an important aspect when considering seaworthiness.
How we may help you, we can provide guidance for questionnaire with a best practice guide (Appendix B) and an analysis on AMSA findings per Deficiency Category, based on data from the RiSK4SEA platform (Appendix C).
No. | Description | Yes | No | N/A |
1. | Have survival craft falls been inspected periodically, with special regard to areas passing through sheaves? | |||
2. | Have the procedures for permits to work been used onboard? | |||
3. | Have the IMO Guidelines for fixed carbo dioxide fire-extinguishing systems been incorporated in the maintenance plan? | |||
4. | Have the air pipes to ballast and other tanks been maintained after survey? | |||
5. | Have maintenance inspections been held at intervals in accordance with the SMS? | |||
6. | Has the Sewage Treatment Plant been maintained to conform to the provisions of MARPOL Annex IV? | |||
7. | Have essential software, such as engine and generator control system software, been maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions? | |||
8. | Has the inventory and inspection of cargo securing equipment been conducted by the ship’s crew? | |||
9. | Has the ship been maintained after survey? | |||
Post Inspection | ||||
10. | Have deficiencies been issued as part of the FIC? (Form B) | |||
11. | Has the ship been detained as part of this FIC? |
1. Have survival craft falls been inspected periodically, with special regard to areas passing through sheaves?SOLAS Maintenance plan on board to be followed. Lifeboats supporting systems to be inspected as required. Details for wires and load tests to be available. As the PSCO will not only check the falls and the dynamic tests, ALL survival systems should be as required in accordance with SOLAS and the inspections on survival equipment should be conducted: weekly, monthly, annually, every five years.
Weekly
Monthly
Annually
An annual inspection and maintenance by a service agent approved in accordance with the requirements of the ship’s Flag State.Davits
Lifeboat
Winch and brake
Release gear
Inflatable liferafts and inflatable lifejackets
Hydrostatic release units
Every 5 Years
2. Have the procedures for permits to work been used onboard?
SMS should include a section with high risk tasks / operations which should be covered from an effective permit to work system. The permit to work system should include authorization level (who authorizes the task or operation), initial conditions (which determine if it is safe to conduct the task/operation), risk assessment review for the specific task/operations, time frame of permit, periodical checks on initial conditions status.A stop work Authority maybe part of permit to work system. A more advanced system may include provisions for simultaneously conducted operations (SIMOPS).Most common tasks on board which could be covered by a typical permit to work system are:
3. Have the IMO Guidelines for fixed carbo dioxide fire-extinguishing systems been incorporated in the maintenance plan?
Fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems should be kept in good working order and readily available for immediate use. Maintenance and inspections should be carried out in accordance with the ship’s maintenance plan having due regard to ensuring the reliability of the system. As per IMO guidance the following actions are required:
Monthly inspections
Annual Inspections
Further maintenance and tests are required (every 2 years for passenger ships or at each intermediate, periodical or renewal survey in cargo ships.
4. Have the air pipes to ballast and other tanks been maintained after survey?
An air pipe prevents overpressure or vacuum in the tank when liquid is pumped in or out. When air pipes become obstructed from wear and tear after a period in operation, maintaining the required air flow through the pipe may no longer be possible – and an important prerequisite for maintaining the tank’s structural integrity during filling operations may no longer be fulfilled. For the same reason, it is also a general requirement that air pipes shall not be fitted with valves that may impair the venting function.
5. Have maintenance inspections been held at intervals in accordance with the SMS?
Safety Management System in order to address ISM clause 10 Maintenance of the Ship and Equipment, should include:
Records of inspections/defects/follow up reports should be maintained and be ready for inspection from the PSCO
6. Has the Sewage Treatment Plant been maintained to conform to the provisions of MARPOL Annex IV?
Always follow IMO Resolution MEPC.227(64). For each Sewage Treatment plant routine maintenance of the system should be clearly defined by the manufacturer in the associated operating and maintenance manuals. All routine and repair maintenance should be recorded.Provided documentation for maintenance should include:
Engine Crew should be familiar with the sewage treatment plant operation and cleaning procedures. Any malfunction or non-compliance (e.g. broken or missing equipment etc.) should be reported immediately to the vessel’s Flag Administration and a Letter of Extension to be issued, in order to avoid unpleasant delays from Port State Control Officers.
7. Have essential software, such as engine and generator control system software, been maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions?
Monitoring and control of the ships propulsion and power is essential for its efficiency and safety and there are many systems and parameters to consider like: fuel consumption, combustion temperature, engine temperature, diesel engine safety and start/stop, generator voltage and frequency control, generator load in KW and %, load control, torque, heavy consumers logic, control of diesel electric propulsion, thruster monitoring and control etc. All the above may be monitored and controlled by a digital control system operating through a software as per system manufacturer. This software requires checks and updates as per manufacturers’ guidance. The maintenance and updates should be conducted by a qualified individual/technician. Additionally specific cyber security control measures should be in place in order to protect the system from software breach, as per IMO requirements for cyber security procedures.
8. Has the inventory and inspection of cargo securing equipment been conducted by the ship’s crew?
Vessels covered by cargo securing manual should have a proper inventory and inspection report for securing devices, apart from the inventory maintenance records for these specific equipment/devices. Securing devices not belonging to the vessel must not be used as they may not conform to the vessels Cargo Securing Manual. Defective securing devices shall as far as possible be repaired on board and if not possible then these shall be condemned. Shortfall of cargo securing devices shall be reported through the inventory and inspection report and requisition raised to address the shortfall.
9. Has the ship been maintained after survey?
As per IMO, 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.Periodical surveys:
Ship managers should have an efficient maintenance program to cover the maintenance requirements of their managed ships during the time periods between the surveys. In fact, surveys from Classification society should verify the good maintenance conducted by the manager.
Deficiency Codes Related to FIC
Item | Question | Related PSC codes |
1 | Have survival craft falls been inspected periodically, with special regard to areas passing through sheaves? | 11101 – Lifeboats 11102 – Lifeboat inventory 11103 – Stowage and provision of Lifeboats 11104 – Rescue boats 11105 – Rescue boat inventory 11110 – Stowage and provision of liferafts 11112 – Launching arrangements for survival craft 11113 – Launching arrangements for rescue boats 11129 – Operational readiness of lifesaving appliances 11132 – Maintenance and inspections 11135 – Maintenance of Life Saving Appliances |
2 | Have the procedures for permits to work been used onboard? | 15106 – Shipboard operations 15107 – Emergency preparedness |
3 | Have the IMO Guidelines for fixed carbo dioxide fire-extinguishing systems been incorporated in the maintenance plan? | 07109 – Fixed fire extinguishing installation 07110 – Firefighting equipment and appliances 07123 – Operation of Fire protection systems 07124 – Maintenance of Fire protection systems |
4 | Have the air pipes to ballast and other tanks been maintained after survey? | 02126 – Cargo tank vent system 02199 – Other (Structural conditions) 03108 – Ventilators, air pipes, casings |
5 | Have maintenance inspections been held at intervals in accordance with the SMS? | 15108 – Reports of non-conf., accidents & hazardous occur. 15109 – Maintenance of the ship and equipment |
6 | Has the Sewage Treatment Plant been maintained to conform to the provisions of MARPOL Annex IV? | 14402 – Sewage treatment plant 14403 – Sewage comminuting and disinfecting system 14404 – Sewage discharge connection |
7 | Have essential software, such as engine and generator control system software, been maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions? | 13101 – Propulsion main engine 13102 – Auxiliary engine 13108 – Operation of machinery 13199 – Other (machinery) |
8 | Has the inventory and inspection of cargo securing equipment been conducted by the ship’s crew? | 06101 – Cargo Securing Manual 06103 – Other cargo/timber/deck/construction 06104 – Lashing material 06107 – Cargo operation 06199 – Other (cargo) |
9 | Has the ship been maintained after survey? | 15108 – Reports of non-conf., accidents & hazardous occur. 15109 – Maintenance of the ship and equipment 15110 – Documentation-ISM |
Deficiencies of above list are summarized to the following Categories
Rank | Category | AMSA Share | Global Share | Deviation |
1 | Fire Safety | 13.23% | 13.70% | -3.4% |
2 | Life saving Appliances | 9.43% | 10.41% | -9.4% |
3 | Water/Weathertight Conditions | 4.61% | 4.25% | 8.5% |
4 | Pollution Prevention | 3.24% | 5.14% | -37.2% |
5 | ISM code | 1.73% | 2.88% | -39.9% |
6 | Structural Conditions | 1.69% | 3.46% | -51.2% |
7 | Cargo operations including equipment | 0.52% | 0.44% | 18.2% |
List of Related Deficiencies share in AMSA PSC inspections (Last 5 years) – Sorted from most to less common
Rank | Category | Total number of deficiencies | Share on overall deficiencies |
1 | 11101 – Lifeboats | 655 | 2.30% |
2 | 07110 – Firefighting equipment and appliances | 570 | 2.00% |
3 | 11105 – Rescue boat inventory | 432 | 1.52% |
4 | 14403 – Sewage comminuting and disinfecting system | 381 | 1.34% |
5 | 11104 – Rescue boats | 329 | 1.16% |
6 | 11102 – Lifeboat inventory | 241 | 0.85% |
7 | 13102 – Auxiliary engine | 202 | 0.71% |
8 | 13101 – Propulsion main engine | 119 | 0.42% |
9 | 11129 – Operational readiness of lifesaving appliances | 102 | 0.36% |
10 | 11103 – Stowage and provision of Lifeboats | 91 | 0.32% |
11 | 13199 – Other (machinery) | 50 | 0.18% |
12 | 03108 – Ventilators, air pipes, casings | 45 | 0.16% |
13 | 14404 – Sewage discharge connection | 40 | 0.14% |
14 | 14402 – Sewage treatment plant | 34 | 0.12% |
15 | 07109 – Fixed fire extinguishing installation | 33 | 0.12% |
16 | 15106 – Shipboard operations | 32 | 0.11% |
17 | 15109 – Maintenance of the ship and equipment | 30 | 0.11% |
18 | 02199 – Other (Structural conditions) | 29 | 0.10% |
19 | 15107 – Emergency preparedness | 21 | 0.07% |
20 | 11113 – Launching arrangements for rescue boats | 19 | 0.07% |
21 | 06199 – Other (cargo) | 17 | 0.06% |
22 | 11112 – Launching arrangements for survival craft | 14 | 0.05% |
23 | 07123 – Operation of Fire protection systems | 12 | 0.04% |
24 | 15108 – Reports of non-conf., accidents & hazardous occur. | 12 | 0.04% |
25 | 06107 – Cargo operation | 12 | 0.04% |
26 | 11132 – Maintenance and inspections | 10 | 0.04% |
27 | 02126 – Cargo tank vent system | 10 | 0.04% |
28 | 06104 – Lashing material | 10 | 0.04% |
29 | 07124 – Maintenance of Fire protection systems | 8 | 0.03% |
30 | 11135 – Maintenance of Life Saving Appliances | 6 | 0.02% |
31 | 06103 – Other cargo/timber/deck/construction | 6 | 0.02% |
32 | 11110 – Stowage and provision of liferafts | 4 | 0.01% |
33 | 06101 – Cargo Securing Manual | 4 | 0.01% |
34 | 13108 – Operation of machinery | 3 | 0.01% |