In marine survey practice, standards and codes are the foundation that ensures the objectivity, comparability, and legal validity of survey results. Without reliance on internationally recognized norms, reports turn into subjective assessments: the shipowner, charterer, and insurance company may interpret the same facts differently. Unified provisions of international conventions and rules confirm that the inspection was performed correctly, and the technical condition of the vessel or supplier was assessed according to recognized criteria.
The main sources of such standards:
- IMO (International Maritime Organization) – develops key conventions: SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, Load Line, etc.
- IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) – publishes Unified Requirements and recommendations on the technical condition of vessels.
- ISO – standards for management systems and audits (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 19011).
- National and regional port state control regimes – Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, etc.
In survey practice, these documents are used as a methodological basis: they form checklists, work programs, acceptance criteria, and the list of mandatory documents. Key categories where the application of standards is mandatory or common practice include:
- Pre-purchase inspections when acquiring a vessel;
- On/Off-Hire Condition Surveys before the start or end of a charter period;
- Insurance assessments and Damage Surveys;
- Supplier audits according to the requirements of the shipowner or manager;
- Environmental compliance checks according to MARPOL;
- Safety management system audits (ISM Code).
The difference between a visual inspection based on “feelings” and an inspection based on standards is fundamental. For example, recording defects in deck equipment without reference to regulations will be subjective, whereas applying relevant requirements of a classification society allows for unambiguous determination of wear limits, the necessity of repair, and operational acceptability. This ensures the correctness of conclusions and the legally significant nature of the report.
The use of international norms reduces the risk of delays and claims. For instance, MARPOL Annex I sets requirements for oil water processing equipment (certified OWS, compliance with MEPC.107(49), correctly maintained Oil Record Book). A surveyor relying on actual MARPOL requirements can identify violations in advance that could lead to PSC deficiencies.
International Codes and Standards Applied in Marine Survey
- ISM Code (International Safety Management Code)
Mandatory for passenger ships and for cargo ships of 500 GT and above, as well as for mobile offshore drilling units. Regulates the safety management system, crew competence, documentation, and risk management. During an ISM audit, both documents (DOC, SMC) and the compliance of actual practices with established procedures are checked.
- MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships)
Covers the prevention of pollution by oil (Annex I), noxious liquid substances (Annex II), harmful substances in packaged form (Annex III), sewage (Annex IV), garbage (Annex V), and air pollution (Annex VI). During a survey, the technical condition of equipment (OWS, incinerator, sewage treatment plant), the correctness of logbooks, and compliance with procedures are checked.
- SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea)
Sets requirements for structural safety, fire protection systems, life-saving appliances, radio communications (GMDSS), and crew training. The surveyor checks the availability and condition of life-saving appliances, fire-fighting systems, emergency procedures, and compliance with established regulations.
- IACS Unified Requirements
Regulate technical requirements for the hull, structural elements, equipment, systems, and survey procedures. Applied during Condition Surveys, class confirmation, and when assessing the technical condition of a vessel for insurance and charter purposes.
- ISO 19011 and other ISO standards
ISO 19011 defines the methodology for auditing management systems (e.g., ISO 9001). It can be applied when assessing service and material suppliers if the customer uses a quality management system.
- Port State Control (PSC)
Port inspections are carried out in accordance with the requirements of international conventions and national procedures. Memoranda like Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU define the common approach, risk criteria, and database, but are not normative “codes”. The main areas of PSC focus are: documentary compliance, technical condition of equipment, crew readiness for emergency operations.
Reporting Formats
Documents generated based on international requirements are recognized in insurance and arbitration practice:
- Preliminary Report – preliminary notification of findings;
- Condition Survey Report – detailed report on technical condition;
- Damage Survey Report – analysis of damages after incidents;
- On-Hire / Off-Hire Survey Report – recording the vessel’s condition before and after a charter period;
- Audit Report (e.g., according to ISO 19011) – assessment of management system compliance.
It is important to distinguish between mandatory international norms (SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line) and standards applied at the client’s initiative (ISO, company internal checklists).
Correct Application of Standards
Mentioning a standard in a report does not guarantee the correctness of the inspection. The accurate interpretation of the norm in the context of the survey’s purpose is what matters. The same provision of MARPOL Annex V will be assessed differently:
- before port entry – emphasis on the garbage record book, procedures, and equipment;
- within a P&I inspection – focus on risks of unauthorized discharge;
- during a Pre-Purchase survey – emphasis on the technical condition of systems related to the conventions.
An error in selecting or applying a standard leads to losses: from charter breakdowns to insurer refusal. For example, assessing the condition of valves without reference to specific SOLAS requirements and without recording test results significantly reduces the legal weight of the report.
The applicability of standards is determined by three factors:
- the competence of the surveyor and knowledge of the regulatory context;
- a transparent inspection methodology – from the work plan to the report structure;
- a comprehensive assessment of the system’s condition, documentation, and crew training.
In disputed situations, an independent expert assessment may be appointed – through the P&I club, charterer, or shipowner.
What the Client Should Request
- a list of applied regulatory documents;
- inspection methodology (checklists, instrumental measurements, functional tests);
- clear formulations of non-conformities with references to the relevant regulation;
- photo or video evidence as confirmation of identified facts (if such practice is included in the contract).
Criteria for Selecting a Surveyor
The quality of survey services depends on how well the company operates in accordance with international norms and has access to up-to-date editions of conventions.
Signs of a professional surveyor:
- access to current editions of IMO, IACS, and ISO documents;
- justification of non-conformities with references to the regulatory source;
- reporting in an internationally recognized format;
- experience working with different flags, interaction with P&I clubs and arbitrations.
A report prepared without adherence to international norms and methodology may be rejected during proceedings or insurance procedures. If you do not want this to happen to you, turn to professionals – the specialists of GPC Doerfer.
