1. Marine Symposium – World Shipping Forum Chennai 19th November 2004
Ship Inspections & The Screening Process
Capt Howard N. Snaith. Master Mariner. M.N.I.
Director, Marine, Ports, Terminals, Chemical & Environmental

2. A Brief Introduction to INTERTANKO
The voice of independent tanker owners since 1970, ensuring that the oil that keeps the world turning is shipped safely, responsibly and competitively.
Membership is open to independent tanker owners and operators of oil and chemical tankers, i.e. non-oil companies and non-state controlled tanker owners, who fulfil the Association's membership criteria.  
Independent owners operate some 80% of the world's tanker fleet and the vast majority are INTERTANKO members.

3. The organisation has 242 members, whose combined fleet comprises more than 2,160 tankers totalling 160 million dwt, which is 70% of the world's independent tanker fleet above 10,000 dwt.
Within our membership we also cover 81 % of the Worlds Chemical Fleet by DWT
INTERTANKO's associate membership stands at 273 companies with an interest in shipping of oil and chemicals.

4. Our Members are INTERTANKO - Comprising :-
14 Committees
4 regional panels
INTERTANKO is Geographically Represented through our Offices in:
Oslo
London
Singapore
Washington

5. Preparing for the inspection
The onboard inspection can only be successful if the tanker is prepared for the inspection.
The inspector who is to carry out the inspection will start to collect impressions from even before the time he takes his first step onto the gangway and will continue to do so until he takes the last step off the gangway.

6. First Impressions are Important

7. This should be incorporated into the normal routine guidelines.
SELF INSPECT
Make sure that each head of department has completed his own inspection before arrival at port and that any deficiencies have been reported/corrected.
This should be incorporated into the normal routine guidelines.
An effective way of administering this is to introduce a Self-Assessment form covering the relevant areas

8. Have
Them
Ready

9. The Inspector will probably want to see a copy of the following:
• Classification Document
• Certificate of Registry
• Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate
• Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
• Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate
• Load Line Certificate
• IMO Certificate of Fitness
• IOPP Certificate & Supplement
• Certificate of Financial Responsibility
• A Crew List
• A Drawing of the vessel’s cargo tank arrangement
• Vessel’s Safe Manning Document

10. • Approved Ballast Manual • Oil/Cargo record book
• Officers’ Licenses
• Health Certificates
• P&A Manual
• Approved COW Manual
• Approved Ballast Manual
• Oil/Cargo record book
• Oil transfer procedures
• Garbage log for compliance with MARPOL Annex V
• Proof of cargo hose/piping testing
• Proof of fixed and portable fire fighting equipment servicing
• Proof of professional servicing of breathing apparatus
• Proof of life raft servicing

11. • Settings for vessel’s PV valves
• Shipping document and cargo manifest
• Inhibitor Certificates
• Declaration of Inspection if transferring bunkers
• Cargo Information Cards for the cargo on board
• Inert Gas Manual
• Waiver Letters, if any
• Vessel Response Plan
• Safety Manual
• Vessel Operation Manual
• Company’s policy for upgrading and training.

12. Have
Them
Ready
In the
Same
Order as
The
VIQ

13. Be Prepared to Calibrate and/or Demonstrate the Proper Operation of:
Combustible gas detectors or fixed gas detection system
• Oxygen analyser
• Toxic gas detector
• Overboard discharge monitor
• Cargo pump Emergency shutdown and bearing alarms
• High level alarms
• Overfill alarms
• Quick closing valves.

14. Be Prepared to Demonstrate the Proper Operation of the Following Systems/Alarms:
• Inert Gas system alarms
• Oily water separator
• Fire fighting systems
• Steering gear
• Emergency generator
• Engine room ventilation shutdowns
• Fuel oil cut-off valves

15. The following items are of vital importance as these provide an overall impression of the
vessel, and will play an essential part in how the inspection will be conducted.
Gangway:
Signs:
Crew:
Deck Watch:
Fire Equipment at the Manifold:
Deck:
Scuppers:
Cargo Information:
Emergency Equipment:.
Moorings: In good order, no lines on the winch ends.
Accommodation: All doors closed, clean and in proper order.

16. The Inspection Remember you do not Pass or Fail a Vetting Inspection !
That Decision is made Later

17. Make sure that the Inspector is accompanied around the Vessel during the Inspection by either the Master of a Senior Officer

18. Some of the most common deficiencies found in the following areas:
Bridge and Radio Room
Cargo Control Room and Tank Deck
Engine Room and Steering Gear
Accommodation/Galley

19. Make sure you all agree – Get it Right at This Stage
The Close Out Meeting
Make sure you all agree – Get it Right at This Stage

20. All inspectors should sit down and discuss observations and comments after the inspection is completed.
If not, the Master should record a written objection that this has not taken place and inform his company immediately.
The inspector gives the Master a written list of the observations found.

21. The INTERTANKO Vetting Inspection Feedback Forms indicate that in 7% of cases Observations are not being discussed

22. INTERTANKO Vetting Inspection Feedback Form

23. Owners Comments To the Inspectors Observations
The Charterer is looking for quality Comments that indicate the observations are taken seriously.
Your replies will be used as a measure of your quality management.
You should be able to identify the “ROOT CAUSE” of the deficiency.

24. Some examples of “BAD” Owners Comments are:
“The Deficiency has been rectified”
“We have instructed the Master not to do it again”
“The Spare Parts are on Order”

25. You Need to explain that the problem which caused the deficiency has been also been corrected - not just the deficiency

26. The Screening Process
In addition to the vetting inspection and the owners comments, the charterer will also screen a host of other elements about the owner and his operation before a decision is made regarding “acceptance”.

27. ELEMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO VETTING- ACCEPTABILITY

28. 5th Edition “A Guide to The Vetting Process”

29. CONTAINS
A Guide to Vetting Inspections
OCIMF/SIRE
Chemical Distribution Institute
Regional Port State Control Agreements
Port State Control Inspection in Australia
Port State Control Inspection in the United Kingdom
Port State Control Inspection in the U.S.A.
Enhanced Survey Programme
The Different Oil Company Vetting Requirements
Multiple Inspections
Expanded Inspections with the Paris MOU
INTERTANKO Terminal Vetting Project
Paris MoU Detention Review Procedures
Guide to Master for USCG Visits
Generic Appeal Letter for USCG Interventions
INTERTANKO’s Charter Vetting Clauses 2001
The importance of submitting VPQ’s to SIRE
INTERTANKO Standard Inspection Feedback Form