Acceptance of in-water survey in lieu of dry-docking

Transport Publication - TP 13585 E

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1 Policy objective

1.1 This policy specifies the criteria to be considered for Canadian vessels to be allowed to conduct an In-Water Survey (IWS) in lieu of the intermediate dry-docking, and to permit one dry-dock examination in any 5-year period.

2 Policy statement

2.1 Annex I of this policy specifies the criteria to be considered to undergo an IWS in lieu of dry-docking for one cycle (5 years), as well as the information and supporting documents that are required to be submitted by the Authorized Representatives (AR) at least 90 days before the Dry Dock due date, through its Recognized Organization (RO) when the vessel is delegated, for review by the Marine Technical Review Board (MTRB).

2.2 The MTRB will review the applications and make decisions taking into consideration the criteria listed in Annex I, as well as the overall condition of the vessel based on its history of inspection, hull casualties, hull related deficiencies, and the design of fitted equipment.

2.3  Canadian vessels subject to paragraph 3.1 and Annex I of this policy may be allowed to conduct the statutory underwater inspection afloat , however, the interval between consecutive inspections in dry-dock shall not exceed 60 months. 

2.4 The IWS in lieu of dry-docking must be conducted in accordance with:

  • The guidelines issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as detailed in MSC.1/Circ.1348
  • The Unified Requirements (UR) issued by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) as detailed in UR Z3 as amended from time to time

2.5 If the IWS reveals damage, deterioration or other conditions that require early attention or which can only be assessed reliably out of water, the attending Marine Safety Inspector or Class Surveyor may require that the vessel be dry-docked in order that a fuller survey can be undertaken and the necessary work carried out.

3 Scope 

3.1 This policy applies to Canadian vessels that are subject to more than one dry-dock in any 4 or 5-year period.

3.2 This policy does not apply to:

3.2.1 Ro-Ro passenger vessels engaged in international voyages

3.2.2 Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers more than 15 years of age and engaged in international voyages

3.2.3 Passenger vessels operating in heavy ice conditions

4 Authority

4.1 This policy is made under the authority of the Director General, Marine Safety and Security and the Marine Safety and security Executive Committee (MSSE), and is in accordance with the objectives of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.

5 Responsibility and further information

5.1 The Executive Director, Domestic Vessel Regulatory Oversight, is accountable for the development, approval and maintenance of this policy.

5.2 The Manager, Flag State, Compliance and Enforcement (AMSDF), is the OPI for this policy.

5.3 The Regional Directors, Marine Safety and Security, are responsible for the implementation of this policy.

5.4 Comments or queries related to this policy and its application should be addressed to:

Executive Director, Domestic Regulatory Oversight
330 Sparks Street (AMSD)
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0N5
Fax: 613-991-4818
insp.stand-norm.insp@tc.gc.ca

6 Related documents

6.1 Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) as amended from time to time.

6.2 Guidelines issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as detailed in MSC.1/Circ.1348.

6.3 Unified Requirements (UR) Z3 issued by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) as amended from time to time.

6.4 UR Z7 Hull classification surveys issued by IACS as amended from time to time.

7 Background

7.1 The Hull Inspection Regulations (HIR) require vessels to conduct the underwater inspection in dry dock or on a slipway as prescribed in Schedule I of the HIR.

7.2 The IMO Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) states that inspections of the outside of the vessel's bottom should normally be carried out with the vessel in a dry dock. However, for vessels less than 15 years of age, consideration may be given to alternate inspections being carried out with the vessel afloat. Special consideration should be given before vessels of 15 years of age and over (other than bulk carriers, oil tankers, and RO-RO Passenger) are permitted to have such surveys afloat.

7.3 TCMSS recognizes that technological advances have been made in regard to corrosion resistant materials, quality, endurance and effectiveness of hull coatings, and also the effectiveness of IWS technology overall.

7.4 TCMSS aims to achieve national consistency for the acceptance of IWS in lieu of dry-docking. 

8 Definitions

8.1 Heavy ice conditions are those which may cause structural damage to the hull of the vessel taking into consideration the hull strength of the vessel.

8.2 International voyage: as defined in the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Chapter I, Part A, Regulation 2(d). Excluding voyages as per SOLAS Charter I, Part A, Regulation 3(b).

9 Date of application

9.1 This policy comes into effect on 04/03/2019.

10 Date for review or expiry 

10.1 This policy will be reviewed after 12 months and thereafter at a frequency of not more than 5 years.

11 RDIMS references

11.1 The English version of this document is saved in RDIMS under reference number 12827107.  The applied naming convention is "PUBLICATION – TP 13585 – POLICY –UNDER WATER INSPECTION OF HULL BOTTOM IN LIEU OF DRY-DOCK (UWILD)".

11.2 La version française du présent document est dans le SGDDI et porte le numéro de référence 14902786.  La règle d'affectation des noms est « PUBLICATION – TP 13585 – POLITIQUE - INSPECTION SOUS-MARINE DU FOND DE LA COQUE POUR REMPLACER UNE MISE EN CALE SÈCHE (UWILD) ».

11.3 This is the first approved and finalized English version of this document.

12 Keywords

  • Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)
  • In-Water Survey (IWS)
  • Thickness Measurement
  • Underwater inspection
  • Hull Protection System

Annex I

The Marine Technical Review Board (MTRB) will take into consideration the following general criteria when reviewing applications for In-Water Survey (IWS) in lieu of Dry-Docking:

  1. Hull material (Steel or Aluminum hulled vessel)
  2. Hull corrosion protection system (for example, hull coating or, cathodic protection system)
  3. The hull condition based on the last underwater inspection conducted in dry-dock, and any outstanding findings affecting the underwater hull.

The MTRB application should include the below supporting documents and information:

  1. Procedures for carrying out the underwater survey including the name of the diving company approved by the RO where applicable.
  2. Date and place of the IWS.
  3. A description of the vessel's hull corrosion protection system.
  4. A written confirmation by the master of the vessel or the AR that, to the best of their knowledge, the vessel has not sustained any grounding or contact damage since the previous hull bottom inspection and that nothing unusual has been observed to suspect that any part of the vessel's bottom or protuberances has been otherwise damaged.
  5. The vessel's latest hull examination report in dry-dock. The report should indicate the following:
    1. Confirming that the underwater hull condition is satisfactory
    2. Confirming that the sea connections, sea chests, sea valves and box coolers are in satisfactory condition
    3. Confirming that the anchoring equipment and anchor chain are in satisfactory condition
    4. Confirming that the condition of internal examination of double bottom, ballast tanks, void spaces and all other spaces adjacent to the shell are satisfactory
    5. The condition of the protective coating.
  6. For vessels more than 15 years of age other than oil tankers, bulk carriers, and passenger vessels: The vessel's latest hull examination report in dry-dock must include a complete set of thickness measurementsFootnote 1 that was taken during that dry-dock, indicating that the vessel was free from appreciable hull deterioration and all readings are satisfactory and within the maximum permissible diminution according to Classification Rules.
  7. For domestic oil tankers, bulk carriers, and passenger vessels more than 15 years of age: The vessel's latest hull examination report in dry-dock must include a complete set of thickness measurementsFootnote 1 that was taken during that dry-dock, indicating that the vessel was free from appreciable hull deterioration and the wastage of the steel structure doesn't exceed 2/3rd of the maximum permissible diminution according to Classification Rules.