Confirms the Load Line Certificate reflects the correct assignment survey outcome under the Load Line Convention and SOLAS I/13
Verifies the certificate's stated freeboard and deck line figures physically match the marks painted on the ship's side
Checks the annual endorsement has been completed within the permitted window on a certificate valid for up to 5 years
Establishes whether any exemption or exception to the assigned load line is documented and still applicable
MasterChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms the ISSC verification schedule (initial, intermediate between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary, renewal at 5 years) under ISPS Code Part A has been met
Establishes that the Continuous Synopsis Record is kept genuinely continuous, with every historical page retained per SOLAS XI-1/5, not reissued from scratch
Checks the ISSC, CSR, and approved Ship Security Plan reference consistent Company Security Officer and Document of Compliance details
Verifies the CSR was updated promptly after any change of flag, name, owner, or registered ISM/DOC company
MasterChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms understanding that SOLAS I/14 allows a limited extension only when the ship is not in a port where the renewal survey can be carried out
Establishes that any extension must be granted by, or on behalf of, the Administration - never self-declared by the Master
Checks that the next full-term certificate is calculated from the original expiry date, not from the date the extension was granted
Verifies extensions aren't being used voyage after voyage as a substitute for timely survey planning
MasterChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms the IOPP Certificate was issued following survey under MARPOL Annex I Reg 7 and carries the correct Form A or Form B supplement for the ship type
Verifies the supplement's listed equipment (ODME, 15ppm bilge separator, SBT/CBT/COW arrangements) matches physical nameplates and installed systems
Checks the annual and intermediate survey endorsements fall within their permitted windows on the 5-year certificate
Establishes that any recent equipment replacement has been reflected in an amended supplement, not left unrecorded
MasterChief OfficerChief Engineer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms IAPP Certificate issuance under MARPOL Annex VI Reg 6, distinct from the per-engine EIAPP Certificate and NOx Technical File required under Annex VI Reg 13
Verifies each EIAPP Certificate and Technical File matches the actual engine installed, including after any overhaul affecting NOx-critical components
Checks the EEXI Statement of Compliance and SEEMP Part III with the ship's CII rating are held and referenced alongside the IAPP file
Establishes that Bunker Delivery Notes show sulphur content consistent with MARPOL Annex VI Reg 14 limits and any fuel changeover log
Chief Engineer2nd EngineerMaster
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms the BWM Certificate was issued under BWM Convention Reg E-1 and remains consistent with the approved Ballast Water Management Plan
Verifies the installed treatment system's Type Approval Certificate matches the system actually fitted and that D-2 standard compliance is being met
Checks the Ballast Water Record Book entries reconcile with the certificate and plan, including any D-1 exchange fallback procedure
Establishes crew familiarity with the vessel's specific commissioning date and applicable compliance date under the BWM Convention schedule
MasterChief OfficerChief Engineer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms ISPP Certificate issuance under MARPOL Annex IV Reg 4/5 for a ship of the applicable tonnage or passenger/crew capacity
Verifies the sewage treatment plant's Type Approval Certificate matches the unit actually installed
Checks crew understanding of the discharge criteria (distance from land, comminuted and disinfected versus untreated) under Annex IV Reg 11
Establishes that discharge events are reflected in deck/engine log entries even though Annex IV doesn't mandate a dedicated record book
Chief Engineer2nd EngineerMaster
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms the Certificate of Fitness was issued under the IBC Code (chemical) or IGC Code (gas) reflecting the correct ship type classification (1, 2, or 3G/2G etc.)
Verifies every product carried appears on the certificate's attached List of Products with the correct carriage conditions and cargo containment requirements
Checks the certificate's validity against periodic, intermediate, and renewal survey history, distinct from the vessel's other statutory certificates
Establishes that the Cargo/Procedures and Arrangements Manual referenced on the certificate matches the current onboard revision
MasterChief OfficerChief Engineer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms the Certificate of Class is current and free of expired or lapsed conditions
Establishes that class survey status (annual, intermediate, special/renewal, docking) is tracked through the society's own portal or reports, not just the face validity of the paper certificate
Checks the vessel's survey program follows the harmonized system of survey and certification under SOLAS I/10, aligning statutory and class survey cycles
Verifies any overdue continuous machinery survey items, drydocking, or in-water survey obligations are visible and being actioned
MasterChief EngineerChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms the CLC 1992 certificate is carried where required for tankers over 2000GT carrying persistent oil in bulk as cargo
Verifies the Bunkers Convention 2001 certificate is carried for ships over 1000GT, covering bunker oil pollution liability independent of cargo type
Checks the named insurer/financial guarantor on each certificate matches the vessel's current P&I entry
Establishes the certificate was properly certified by the flag State, not merely issued by the P&I Club itself
MasterChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms MLC 2006 Title 5 Reg 5.1.3 applicability for ships of 500GT or more on international voyages, requiring both an MLC Certificate and DMLC Parts I and II
Verifies the certificate's intermediate inspection, due between the second and third anniversary, has been completed and endorsed
Checks the DMLC Part II is specific to the vessel with named responsible persons and actual measures, not generic company boilerplate copied from a sister ship
Establishes evidence that the onboard complaint procedure required under MLC Standard A5.1.3 is functioning in practice
Masterall crew
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms a valid P&I entry for liability, pollution, and wreck removal risks is held under the correct registered owner/operator named on the Continuous Synopsis Record
Verifies the Blue Cards supporting the CLC and Bunkers certificates are current and match the same insurer
Checks the certificate reflects the current P&I policy year rather than a carried-over prior year's entry
Establishes that the Master or officers don't confuse the P&I Certificate of Entry with Hull & Machinery or War Risk cover during interview
MasterChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms annual survey endorsements fall within the permitted window (generally three months either side of the anniversary date) under SOLAS I/14
Verifies intermediate survey endorsements for MARPOL certificates (IOPP, IAPP) fall within their required anniversary window under the respective Annex
Checks endorsements are dated and signed by the surveyor within the actual survey window, not backdated to appear compliant
Establishes whether any certificate is currently running on a lapsed window without a documented extension
MasterChief OfficerChief Engineer
What the Inspector Expects
Establishes whether class has imposed any Condition of Class with a defined compliance date, distinct from a non-mandatory memorandum
Confirms an active tracking mechanism exists onboard and ashore rather than relying on the next scheduled survey to surface the item
Checks that an overdue condition hasn't put the vessel at risk of class action such as suspension or withdrawal
Verifies corrective work or a class-approved repair plan is actually progressing against each open item
MasterChief OfficerChief Engineer
What the Inspector Expects
Establishes that conditions of class and survey memoranda are actively communicated to senior officers, not held only by the Master or ashore by the DPA
Checks a handover or briefing mechanism exists so conditions spanning a crew change aren't lost between rotations
Verifies senior officers can explain the technical nature of each open item and its target closure date, not just recite a reference number
Ties into ISM Code expectations under Section 6 for competence and information flow, and Section 11 for document control
MasterChief OfficerChief Engineer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms any exemption from a SOLAS requirement is granted under SOLAS I/12 by the Administration and is genuinely documented in writing, not verbal understanding
Verifies the exemption or dispensation states its scope, conditions, and expiry, and is cross-referenced on the relevant statutory certificate
Checks whether any compensating measures required as a condition of the exemption are actually being carried out
Establishes that an exemption granted for a temporary defect hasn't quietly become permanent practice past its stated validity
MasterChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms any postponement of a survey beyond its due window under SOLAS I/14 or class rules was formally agreed by the Administration or RO in advance, not decided unilaterally onboard
Verifies a postponed survey was completed at the first reasonable opportunity rather than deferred indefinitely
Checks that a postponed survey hasn't cascaded into missing the window for the next scheduled survey
Establishes that postponement was genuinely due to unavailability of survey facilities, not a cost or scheduling convenience
MasterChief EngineerChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Distinguishes a properly issued Electronic Certificate under the flag State's or RO's e-certificate framework from a simple scanned PDF of a paper certificate
Confirms electronic certificates carry a verifiable digital signature, QR code, or link to the issuing authority's online verification portal
Checks a backup or print capability exists onboard in case internet access is unavailable during an inspection
Verifies access to the electronic certificate system isn't controlled solely by an officer who has since signed off
MasterChief OfficerETO
What the Inspector Expects
Establishes a dual-layer tracking system: shore-side fleet/technical software plus an onboard master list, consistent with ISM Code Section 11 document control expectations
Confirms tracking responsibility is assigned to a named person, not left ambiguous between Master and the DPA's office
Checks a realistic lead time (commonly 60-90 days) is built in before expiry so a renewal survey can be scheduled at a suitable port
Verifies onboard and shore-side expiry records actually agree with each other for the same certificate
MasterChief Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms a routine cross-check exists comparing certificate header data against the vessel's actual current particulars
Establishes that class conversions, tonnage re-measurements, or ownership changes are reflected across every affected certificate, not just the Certificate of Registry
Checks engine power or principal dimensions on older certificates against any subsequent derating, upgrade, or modification
Ties into ISM Code Section 11 expectations for accuracy and currency of controlled records
MasterChief OfficerChief Engineer
What the Inspector Expects
Verifies the vessel carries current consolidated texts, paper or approved electronic, reflecting the latest IMO amendments in force
Checks a system exists for tracking new amendment circulars or supplements as they're issued rather than relying on a static edition
Distinguishes reference publications from statutory certificates, ensuring both are treated as controlled documents
Establishes whether the bridge and office publication inventories are consistent with each other
MasterChief Officerall deck officers
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms the current edition of ISGOTT and MEG4 is onboard and actively referenced in the SMS's cargo and mooring procedures, not just kept as a shelf reference
Checks toolbox talks or briefings reflect current-edition changes, such as MEG4's mooring line management and snap-back zone guidance
Verifies deck officers can identify specific ISGOTT chapters relevant to current operations, such as static electricity precautions or enclosed space entry
Establishes whether mooring line and tail inventories have been reassessed against MEG4's minimum breaking load recommendations
MasterChief Officer2nd Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms compliance with SOLAS V/27, requiring charts and nautical publications to be adequate and up to date for the intended voyage
For ENC-based ECDIS, verifies an active permit or licence with the chart provider and a logged history of weekly update applications
For paper charts or backup folios, confirms the Notice to Mariners correction log is current and folio coverage matches the trading area
Checks the voyage plan against actual chart/ENC coverage for the intended route, including alternate and emergency ports
MasterChief Officer2nd Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms Oil Record Book Part I (and Part II for tankers' cargo/ballast operations) entries are made within 24 hours of each operation and signed per MARPOL Annex I Reg 17
Verifies Garbage Record Book entries under MARPOL Annex V Reg 10 cover every disposal or incineration event, with the Master's periodic review evident
Checks entries reconcile against independent evidence such as sludge/bilge tank soundings, incinerator running hours, and port reception facility receipts
Establishes that entries appear contemporaneous rather than batch-completed well after the operations occurred
Chief Engineer2nd EngineerMaster
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms deck and engine log books are maintained as a contemporaneous, legible, continuous record of navigation and engine room events consistent with good record-keeping practice
Checks entries aren't torn out, whited-out, or rewritten, and that corrections follow a proper single-line-strike-and-initial method
Verifies key statutory events, such as drills, position fixes, and fuel changeovers, are actually present, not just routine administrative entries
Cross-references key events between the log book and other records, such as fuel changeover timing against the Bunker Delivery Note
MasterChief Officer2nd Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms gyro and magnetic compass errors are checked and recorded at each watch or change of course by amplitude, azimuth, or transit bearing, consistent with good navigational practice
Verifies the magnetic compass deviation card is current and reflects any equipment changes near the compass
Checks the GMDSS radio log records daily equipment tests, battery capacity checks, and any distress or urgency traffic consistent with SOLAS Chapter IV requirements
Establishes that entries are made by the watchkeeping officer at the time, not reconstructed afterward
Master2nd Officer3rd Officer
What the Inspector Expects
Confirms ISM Code Section 11 requirements that documents be reviewed, approved, and controlled so only current-revision documents are available at points of use
Verifies obsolete documents are promptly removed or clearly marked, not left circulating alongside the current revision
Checks the Master's periodic SMS review, linked to ISM Code Section 12, produces genuine findings rather than a routine signature
Establishes whether a distribution and acknowledgment trail exists whenever a procedure changes