Ship DocumentsDOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATESREQUIRED BY LAWSPECIAL TYPES OF SHIPS OR CRAFTSHigh-Speed Craft Safety CertificateAn International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code) has been implemented for the design and construction of high-speed craft engaged on international voyages, the equipment which should be provided and the conditions for their operation and maintenance. The basic aim of the Code is to set levels of safety which are equivalent to those of conventional ships required by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS 1974) and the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (LL 66) by the application of constructional and equipment standards in conjunction with strict operational controls (HSC Code, Chapter 1, Section 1.1). A certificate called a High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate is issued after completion of an initial or renewal survey to a craft which complies with the requirements of the HSC Code (HSC Code, paragraph 1.8.1 and SOLAS 1974, Chapter X, Regulation 3). Quick Reference GuideHIGH-SPEED CRAFT SAFETY CERTIFICATE
IMPORTANT REMARK The high-speed craft should not operate commercially unless a Permit to Operate High-Speed Craft is issued and valid, in addition to the High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate (HSC Code, par.1.9.1). Permit to operate High-Speed CraftTo operate commercially, a valid Permit to Operate High-Speed Craft is issued in addition to the High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate aforementioned. Transit voyages without passengers or cargo may be undertaken without the Permit to Operate High-Speed Craft (HSC Code, paragraph 1.9.1). In any event, the high-speed craft should comply with the requirements of paragraphs 1.2.2 to 1.27 and 1.8 of the HSC Code (HSC Code, Paragraphs 1.9.2 and 1.9.5). Special Purpose Ships Safety CertificateA special purpose ship means a mechanically self-propelled ship, which, by reason of its function, carries more than 12 special personnel including passengers (SPS Code, Chapter 1, par. 1.3.4). (See also amendment MSC/Circ 739 of the Code for sail training ships in respect of Chapter III of SOLAS 1974 For special purpose ships, a Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code) has been promulgated. The purpose of the Code is to recommend design criteria, construction standards and other safety measures (SPS Code, Chapter 1, par. 1.1). The Code applies to every new special purpose ship of not less than 500 gross tonnage. The Administration may also apply these provisions as far as reasonable and practicable to special purpose ships of less than 500 gross tonnage ((SPS Code, Chapter 1, par. 1.2). Special purpose ships to which the Code applies includes:
After survey in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Safety for Special Purpose ships, the ship will be issued with a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate (see also side 2, side 3 and side 4 of certificate) (SPS Code, Chapter 1, par. 1.7.1). Where a special purpose ship is normally engaged on international voyages as defined in the 1974 SOLAS Convention it should, in addition, also carry SOLAS Safety Certificates, either :
Special purpose ships should be surveyed as specified for cargo ships, other than tankers, in the SOLAS 1974 as amended by the 1988 SOLAS Protocol. (SPS Code, Chapter 1, par. 1.6).> The Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate is usually made in the same form as a Cargo Ship Safety Certificate. Because special personnel are expected to be able bodied with a fair knowledge of the layout of the ship and have received some training in safety procedures and the handling of the ship's safety equipment, the special purpose ships on which they are carried need not be considered or treated as passenger ships (SPS Code, Preamble 3). Quick Reference GuideSPECIAL PURPOSE SHIP SAFETY CERTIFICATE
IMPORTANT NOTES The Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate must be supplemented by a Record of Equipment (Form C) (SOLAS 74, Annex, Chapter I, Regulation 12, par. 2 (vi). The Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate may be supplemented by a Exemption Certificate. Certificate of Fitness for Offshore Support VesselsFor offshore support vessels which carry limited amount of hazardous and noxious liquid substances in bulk, guidelines have been developed for the design, construction and operation of these vessels which are called Guidelines for the Transport and Handling of Limited Amounts of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels (OSV Guidelines). (See Resolution A.673(16) adopted on 19 October 1989.) The Guidelines are intended to permit limited quantities of these hazardous and noxious liquid substances to be transported in bulk in offshore support vessels for the servicing and re-supplying of offshore platforms, mobile offshore drilling unit and other offshore installations, including those employed in the search for and recovery of hydrocarbons from the sea-bed, with minimum risk to the vessel, its crew and the environment (OSV Guidelines, Preamble, Paragraphs 1 and 3). The Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Offshore Supply Vessels (Resolution A.469(XIII) adopted on 19 November 1981 are also applicable to offshore support vessels subject to these Guidelines (OSV Guidelines, Preamble, Paragraphs 5). Quick Reference GuideCERTIFICATE OF FITNESS FOR OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL
NOTES The Certificate of Fitness for Offshore Support Vessels, issued under the OSV Guidelines have the same force and receive the same recognition as the certificate issued under Regulation 11 of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and Regulations VII/10 and VII/13 of SOLAS 74, as amended (OSV Guidelines, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.5.2). For vessels constructed to carry substances having only a marine pollution hazard, the International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk required under MARPOL 73/78, Annex II may be endorsed and serve in the place of the Certificate of Fitness for Offshore Support Vessels (OSV Guidelines, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.5.3). For this reason, in the above mentioned sections, reference is made to MARPOL 73/78 and not to the OSV Guidelines. Diving System Safety CertificateNew fixed diving systems should comply with the Code of Safety for Diving Systems (Diving Code). The purpose of this Code is to recommend design criteria, and construction, equipment and survey standards for diving systems so as to minimize the risk to divers, personnel, ships and floating structures having such systems on board and to facilitate the international movement of such ships and floating structures in the context of diving operations (Diving Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.1). The Code applies to new fixed diving systems which are certificated more than 12 months after the date on which the Assembly of the Organization adopts this Code. However, any existing system which complies with the provisions of the Code should be considered eligible for issuance of a certificate in accordance with this Code (Diving Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.2). The Code was adopted by Resolution A.536(13) on 14 November 1983. A Certificate called Diving System Safety Certificate (see also side 2 and side 3 of document) should be issued, after survey or inspection, to a diving system which complies with the requirements of the Code (Diving Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.6.5). Quick Reference GuideDIVING SYSTEM SAFETY CERTIFICATE
REMARKS
Dynamically Supported CraftA Dynamically Supported Craft is a craft which operates on or above water and which has characteristics so different from those of conventional displacement ships, to which the existing International Conventions, particularly the Safety and Load Line Conventions, apply, that alternative measures should be used in order to achieve an equivalent level of safety. (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.41). An Air-cushion vehicle is a craft such that the whole or a significant part of its weight can be supported, whether at rest or in motion, by a continuously generated cushion of air dependent for its effectiveness on the proximity of the surface over which the craft operates (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.42). A Hydrofoil Boat is a craft which is supported above the water surface in normal operating conditions by hydrodynamic forces generated on foils (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.43). A Side Wall Craft is an air-cushion vehicle whose walls extending along the sides are permanently immersed hard structures (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.44). Dynamically Supported Craft should comply with the Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft (DSC Code) which was adopted by Resolution A.373(X) on 14 November 1977. This Code represents the recommended requirements for the design and construction of dynamically supported craft, together with the appropriate equipment which should be provided, and the appropriate condition for their operation and maintenance. The application of the Code should result in a level of safety for the craft and persons carried equivalent to that required for conventional displacement ships by the Safety and Load Lines Convention (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.11). The Code applies to craft which :
A Dynamically Supported Craft Construction and Equipment Certificate shall be issued after a survey has been carried out in accordance with Paragraph 1.5.1 (a) of the DSC Code (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.61 (a)). A Dynamically Supported Craft Permit to Operate shall be issued if the Administration is satisfied that all other requirements of the DSC Code have been met (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.61(b)). Quick Reference GuideDYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT CONSTRUCTIONAND EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATEDYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT PERMIT TO OERATE
REMARK The DSC Code may be extended to a craft as defined in Paragraph 1.4.1 of the Code which is intended to carry passengers and cargo or solely cargo or to a craft which exceeds the limits stipulated in Paragraph 1.3.1 of the Code. In such case the Administration should determine the extent to which the provisions of the DSC Code are applicable to these craft and, if necessary, develop additional requirements providing the appropriate safety level for such craft (DSC Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.3.2. Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Safety CertificateA Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit is a vessel capable of engaging in drilling operations for the exploration or exploitation of resources beneath the sea-bed such as liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, sulphur or salt (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.3.1). A Surface Unit is a unit with a ship- or barge-type displacement hull of single or multiple hull construction intended for operation in the floating condition (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.3.2). A Self-elevating unit is a unit with movable legs capable of raising its hull above the surface of the sea (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.3.3). A Column-stabilized Unit is a unit with the main deck connected to the underwater hull or footings by columns or caissons (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.3.4). Mobile Offshore Drilling Units should comply with the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 1979 (MODU Code), adopted by Resolution A.414(XI) on 15 November 1979 or for units constructed on or after 1 May 1991, the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 1989 (MODU Code), adopted by Resolution A.649(16) on 19 October 1989 and modified by Resolution MSC.38(63) on 19 May 1994. The purpose of the MODU Code is to recommend design criteria, construction standards and other safety measures for mobile offshore drilling units so as to minimize the risk to such units, to the personnel on board and to the environment (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.1). The MODU Code applies to mobile offshore drilling units as defined in Paragraphs 1.3.1 to 1.3.4 (as aforementioned) - (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.2.1). The coastal State may impose additional requirements regarding the operation of industrial systems not dealt with by the MODU Code (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.2.2). A certificate called a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Safety Certificate (1989) (see also back of document) may be issued after an initial or renewal survey to a unit which complies with the requirements of the MODU Code (MODU Code, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.6.7). NOTEWe will only consider the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Safety Certificate (1989) for units constructed on or after 1 May 1991. For the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Safety Certificate (1979) see the relevant Resolution A.414(XI). Quick Reference GuideMOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITSAFETY CERTIFICATE
NOTES
Noise Survey ReportA Code on Noise Level on Board Ships (NOISE Code) has been developed by Resolution A.468(XII) on 19 November 1981, to provide guidance to Administrations on principles of noise control on board ships in general. Its purpose is to stimulate and promote noise control at a national level within the framework of internationally agreed guidelines (NOISE Code, Preamble, Paragraph 1). The Code has been developed having regard to conventional passenger and cargo ships (NOISE Code, Preamble, Paragraph 4). The Code is not intended for direct incorporation by reference or reproduction in national legislation although it could provide a basis for such legislation (NOISE Code, Preamble, Paragraph 5). A Noise Survey Report (see also side 2, side 3, and side 4 of document) should be made for each ship in accordance with the NOISE Code (NOISE Code, Chapter 4, Paragraph 3). Appendix 1 to the NOISE Code gives a Format for Noise Survey Report. International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of INF CargoShip carrying INF Cargo (Irradiated Nuclear Fuel) shall comply with the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships (INF Code) in addition to any other applicable requirements of the SOLAS 1974 as amended and shall be surveyed and be provided with the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of INF Cargo (INF Code, Paragraph 1.3). |
