Survey by Recognised Organizations

Statutory Certilication and Services of Indian ships by the Recognised Organizations

 DGS ORDER (06 of 2013)

Article 94 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS'82) requires every flag State to effectively exercise its jurisdiction and control in administrative, technical and social matters over ships flying its flag, inter-alia through statutory surveys and certifications as aoplicable to ensure its compliance at all times within the provisions of the relevant international conventions and ndtional legislation to ensure prevention of maritime casualties and marine pollution from ships. Regulation I/6 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention and regulation 4 of Annex I and regulation 10 of Annex II of MAMOL 73178, provide that the Administration may entrust such inspections and surveys to Recognized Organizations specifically notified for the purpose. 

Govetnment of India, vide its official gazette notification No.S.O.204a(E), DG Shipping Order No. 6 of 2013, - dated 06.09.201I autherised ten Recognised Organizations (ROs) to undertake statutory certificatiot: and services of the Indian flag vessels.

IMO guideiines, particularly Resolutions A.739(19) & A789(19) require the flag States to verify that the organizations recognized to perforn: statutor.v certification and services on its behalf fulfill the requirements of the applicable international conventions

Corrigendum-3 to DGS Order 6 of 2013 

Qualification of Surveyors: The minimum qualification and experience of surveyors undertaking statutory survey and certification services of convention-ships is mentioned in the 

 Corrigendum-3 to DGS Order 6 of 2013 

 Exemptions and Extensions: 

 In case of a reported non-compliance of the M.S Act/Rules or Convention provisions, except for extension of dry-dock surveys / tail-shaft surveys, any RO with which the vessel is classed or has issued the relevant statutory certificate, may undertake a physical inspection of the vessel, including an assessment on the risk profile of the reported deficiency and the appropriateness of the alternate arrangement being proposed and promptly forward a report to the DGS with its clear recommendation. The DGS, after satisfactory assessment of the report shall advise the RO for the issuance of exemption, dispensation, statutory note or short-term certificate, as appropriate. 

In case the above is undertaken by an RO other than the IRS, copy of the certificate / note issued in this regard shall be promptly forwarded to the IRS by the concerned RO to facilitate updating on the centralized vessel history being maintained by the Society. 

 With regard to matters related to the dry-dock/tail shaft extensions and In-water surveys in lieu of dry-docking, the delegation of authority shall remain exclusively limited to the IRS, for the purpose of centralized monitoring, control and reporting. 

The extension of statutory certificates as provided under the respective Conventions, but, not needing extension of dry-dock surveys can be undertaken by any RO with which the vessel is classed or has issued the relevant statutory certificate. 

However, except for ‘green channel’ cases as provided in MSN 13 of 2012, necessary concurrence need to be obtained from the DGS prior to extending the cer

 Endorsement for Annual Surveys:

It has come to the notice of this Directorate that some of the ROs are restricting other ROs from undertaking endorsement for annual/intermediate/periodical/additional surveys Corrigendum-3 to DGS Order 6 of 2013 Page 4 on certificates issued by the former. It is therefore clarified that the statutory certificates issued on behalf of the Govt. of India can be endorsed for appropriate surveys by any RO authorised for the purpose by the GOI, regardless of the fact that the certificate may have been issued by another RO

 Surveys towards extension of docking survey

Surveys towards extension of docking survey (Corrigendum-4 to DGS Order 6 of 2013)

The following procedure shall be followed for the surveys towards extension of docking surveys/tail shaft surveys as required under MS Notice no.13 of 2012 and MS Notice no. 24 of 2009. 

(A) The green channel scheme for extension of surveys as per MS Notice 13 of 2012, shall apply to all ships below 25 years of age, irrespective of the type of ship, subject to them meeting the conditions at para (3) of the MS Notice No. 13 of 2012. 

(B) The surveys towards the grant of extension and the exemption from intermediate docking, as per M S Notice No. 13 of 2012 and MS Notice No. 24 of 2009 respectively, may be carried out by the ‘concerned RO’ (i.e., a RO with whom the vessel is classed). On satisfactory completion of surveys, the ‘concerned RO’ may grant the provisional extension Corrigendum-4 to DGS Order 6 of 2013 Page 2 (as per MS Notice 13 of 2012) or endorse the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate towards intermediate docking (as per MS Notice no. 24 of 2009), as applicable. 

(C) In case of those ships that do not qualify for green channel scheme as per the revised criteria at (A), the application for extension of surveys shall be made to the Directorate along with a report of survey carried out by the ‘concerned RO’ for the purpose of extension and their recommendation. In such cases, the ‘concerned RO’ shall carry out a detailed survey of the ship in accordance with MS Notice no.13 of 2012, and hand over their survey report, findings and clear recommendation to the owners for submission to the Directorate. (D) All other contents of MS Notice 13 of 2012 and MS Notice 24 of 2009 shall remain unchanged.