1.1 General
1.1.1 All crafts are to be subjected to periodical surveys for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the structure, machinery, installations and equipment. Survey notations and survey intervals corresponding to the main class are given in Table 1.1.1. Where additional class notations have been assigned, surveys are to be carried out at intervals given in Table 1.1.2.
Where boilers, steam generators, steam pipes and condensers are fitted onboard, they are to be surveyed in accordance with the requirements given in Rules and Regulations for the Construction and Classification of Steel Ships Pt.1 Ch.2.
1.1.2 Crafts with additional class notations for which there are no specific survey requirements defined in this chapter are to have the equipment and/or construction related to this additional class notation examined to the surveyor’s satisfaction at each special survey. However, at the time of annual surveys, the continued effectiveness of operational features, safety devices and control systems are to be verified.
1.2 Definitions
1.2.1 A Ballast tank is a tank which is being used solely for water ballast. A tank which is used for both cargo and ballast will be treated as a ballast
tank when substantial corrosion has been found in that tank.
1.2.2 A Transverse section includes all longitudinal members such as plating, longitudinals and girders at the deck, side, bottom, inner bottom and hopper side plating, longitudinal bulkheads and bottom plating in top wing tanks.
1.2.3 Representative spaces/tanks are those which are expected to reflect the condition of other spaces/tanks of similar type and service and with similar corrosion protection systems. When selecting Representative Spaces/Tanks account is be taken of the service and repair history onboard and identifiable Critical Areas and/or Suspect Areas.
1.2.4 Suspect areas are locations showing Substantial Corrosion and/or considered by the Surveyor to be prone to rapid wastage.
1.2.5 Critical areas are locations which have been identified from calculations to require monitoring or from the service history of the subject ship or sister ships (if available) to be sensitive to cracking, buckling or corrosion which would impair the structural integrity of the ship.
Table 1.1.1 : Periodical survey and intervals for main class survey notations
Survey Survey Notation
Main Class
Survey interval in years
Hull : special survey SSH 5
Hull : continuous survey CSH 5
Machinery : special survey SSM 5
Machinery : continuous survey CSM 5
Intermediate survey IS 2 or 3 1)
Annual survey AS 1 2)
Docking survey
for crafts with HSC notation
for crafts other than with HSC notation
DS 1
2.54) Shaft Survey
Oil Lubricated
Fresh Water Lubricated Closed Loop System Single Shaft Fresh Water Lubricated Open System Single Shaft Corrosion Protected or Corrosion Resistant Material, Water Lubricated Open System
Multiple Shaft, Water Lubricated Open System Single Shaft, Water Lubricated Open System
SH (OL) SH (FW-C) SH (S-FW-O)
SH (S-CP-O) SH (M-O)
SH (S-O)
See Notes 3 & 5
Directional propellers, water jet units, or athwartship thrust propellers
DP 55)
Table 1.1.1 Notes :
1) May be carried out along with 2nd or 3rd AS, or in between.
2) May be carried out within 3 months on either side of the due date.
3) See Tables 7.2.1.3 and 7.2.2.3 for survey intervals of closed and open systems respectively.
4) At least 2 surveys are to be carried out within any 5 years, of which one survey is to be in conjunction with the special survey. The interval between two consecutive surveys is not to exceed 3 years.
5) Upon request, IRS may extend the survey period to harmonise with docking survey and in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.
Indian Register of Shipping
Table 1.1.2 : Periodical survey intervals for additional class survey notations
Survey Survey Notation
Additional Class
Survey interval in years Unattended machinery spaces
Special Survey Annual Survey
SS(SYJ) AS(SYJ)
5 1 1 Planned Maintenance System of Machinery
Annual Audit AA(PMS) 12
Note : 1) May be carried out within 3 months on either side of due date.
2) To be carried out in conjunction with annual survey.
1.2.6 Protective coatings are to be usually epoxy coating or equivalent. Other coating systems may be considered acceptable as alternatives provided they are applied and maintained in compliance with the manufacturer's specifications.
1.2.7 Soft coatings Where soft coatings have been applied, safe access is to be provided for the Surveyor to verify the effectiveness of the coating and to carry out an assessment of the conditions of the internal structures which may include spot removal of the coating. When safe access cannot be provided, the soft coating is to be removed.
1.2.8 Coating condition is defined as follows : GOOD - Condition with only minor spot rusting;
FAIR - Condition with local breakdown at edges and weld connections and/or light rusting over 20 per cent or more of areas under consideration, but less than as defined for POOR condition;
POOR - Condition with general breakdown of coating over 20 per cent or more of areas or hard scale at 10 per cent or more of areas under consideration.
1.2.9 Spaces are separate compartments including holds and tanks
1.2.10 A prompt and thorough repair is a permanent repair completed at the time of survey to the satisfaction of the Surveyor, therein removing the need for the imposition of any associated condition of classification.
1.2.11 Anniversary date means the day and month of each year corresponding to the expiry date of the classification certificate.
1.3 Survey preplanning and record keeping 1.3.1 Plans and procedures for special periodical surveys, special continuous surveys and dry docking surveys are to be submitted for review in advance of the survey and made available on board. These are to include drawings or forms for identifying the areas to be surveyed, the extent of hull cleaning, non-destructive testing locations (including NDT methods), nomenclature and for the recording of any damage or deterioration found. Submitted data, after review by the Surveyor will be subject to review if found to be necessary in light of experience.
1.4 Laid up vessels 1.4.1 Survey during lay-up
1.4.2 When a vessel is laid up and IRS is so informed and the attending surveyor has so recommended, the periodical surveys required by 1.1.1, except Annual Surveys, may be postponed at the discretion of IRS depending upon the vessel's lay-up location, the maintenance and preservative measures taken during the lay-up. During lay-up, the vessel is to comply with the following:-
a) The vessel is to be adequately manned in accordance with the statutory requirements prevailing at the location of lay-up.
b) Adequate power is to be available on board to meet the following requirements:-
- fire fighting;
- bilge pumping;
- lighting;
- communication with shore;
- needs of crew on board, and
- operating anchor and mooring winches within a reasonable time.
c) All Conditions of Class have been suitably dealt with or have been postponed till the next scheduled general examination.
1.4.3 During lay-up, vessels are to be subjected to a general examination every year.
1.5 Reactivation survey
1.5.1 In the case of crafts which have been out of service for an extended period, the requirements for reactivation surveys will be specially considered in each case with due regard given to the status of surveys at the time of commencements of the lay-up period, the lengths of the period and conditions under which the craft had been maintained during the period, but will at least include a sea trial for function testing of machinery installation.
1.6 Surveys by Chief Engineers
1.6.1 Continuous machinery Surveys of some machinery items may be carried out, subject to certain conditions, under the supervision of the Chief Engineer of the ship at ports where IRS is not represented and where practicable, at sea.
1.6.2 A limited confirmatory Survey should be carried out at the next port of call by an exclusive Surveyor of IRS. Where IRS Surveyor is not available, such Survey may be carried out by the exclusive Surveyor of a Society with whom IRS has collaboration agreement in force.
1.6.3 Where an Owner wishes to make use of this type of Survey an application will have to be made by the Owner stating the name, age, qualifications
and experience of the Chief Engineer for the consideration of IRS.
Further particulars of this scheme may be obtained from IRS Head Office
1.7 Surveys for damage
1.7.1 It is the responsibility of the owner/operator of the craft to report to IRS without delay any damage, defect or breakdown, which could invalidate the conditions for which a classification has been assigned so that it may be examined at the earliest opportunity by IRS Surveyor(s). All repairs found necessary by the Surveyor are to be carried out to his satisfaction.
1.8 Repairs
1.8.1 Any damage and / or wastage over the allowable limits (including buckling, grooving, detachment or fracture), which affects or, in the opinion of the Surveyor, will affect the vessel's structural, watertight or weathertight integrity, is to be repaired promptly and thoroughly as defined in 1.2.10. Areas to be considered as relevant, include:
- side structure and side plating;
- deck structure and deck plating;
- bottom structure and bottom plating;
- inner bottom structure and inner bottom plating;
- inner side structure and inner side plating;
- longitudinal bulkhead(s) plating and structure;
- transverse watertight or oiltight bulkheads, plating and structure; and
- hatch covers or hatch coamings.
Where adequate repair facilities are not available, consideration may be given to allow the vessel to proceed directly to a repair facility. This may require discharging the cargo and/or temporary repairs for the intended voyage.
Additionally, when a survey results in the identification of substantial corrosion or structural defects, either of which, in the opinion of the Surveyor, will impair the vessel's fitness for continued service, remedial measures are to be implemented before the ship continues in service.
1.9 Alterations
1.9.1 No alterations which may affect classification are to be made to the hull or machinery of a classed craft unless plans of proposed alterations are submitted and approved by IRS before the work of Indian Register of Shipping
alterations is commenced. Such work is to be carried out in accordance with approved plans and tested on completion as required by the Rules and to the satisfaction of the Surveyor(s).
1.10 Unscheduled surveys
1.10.1 On the event that IRS has reason to believe that it Rules and Regulations are not being complied with IRS reserves the right to perform unscheduled surveys of the hull or machinery.
1.11 Provisions for hull surveys
1.11.1 The Surveyors are to be provided with necessary facilities for a safe execution of survey.
1.11.2 The surveys at sea or at anchorages may be carried out provided necessary precautions are taken
while carrying out the survey and adequate assistance is provided.
1.11.3 Tanks and spaces are to be safe for access, i.e. gas freed, ventilated, etc. Tanks and spaces are to be reasonably clean and free from water, scale, dirt, oil residues, etc. to reveal significant corrosion, deformation, fractures, damages and other structural deterioration.
1.11.4 Adequate illumination is to be provided to reveal significant corrosion, deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration.
1.11.5 For overall examination, means are to be provided to enable the Surveyor to examine the structure in a safe and practical way.
Section 2 Annual Surveys
2.1 General
2.1.1 Annual class surveys are to be carried out within 3 months on either side of the due date. These are to be held concurrently with statutory annual or other relevant statutory surveys, where practicable.
2.1.2 Satisfactory completion of annual survey will be confirmed by endorsement of the class certificate.
2.1.3 Annual surveys are normally visual examination to ascertain the general condition of the craft or that relevant requirements are complied with. A more thorough annual survey may be specified for particular structure, machinery installations or equipment due to consequences of failure or age.
2.2 Survey requirements for all vessels
2.2.1 The efficient condition of the following is to be verified:
a) Complete overall examination of craft structure including all internal void spaces and critical structure behind fire insulation as deemed necessary by the Surveyor.
b) Hatchways on freeboard and superstructure decks.
c) Weather decks.
d) Ventilation coamings and ventilation ducts for engine or boiler rooms with dampers.
e) Air pipes.
f) Windows, deadlights and side scuttles.
g) Watertight doors in craft’s bow, sides and stern.
h) Scuppers, discharges and valves with hull attachments (so far as practicable).
i) Exposed casings and skylights.
j) Deckhouses and companionways.
k) Superstructure bulkheads and W.T. doors and penetrations.
l) Chutes and other openings.
m) Bilge level detection and alarm systems on crafts with SYJ notation.
n) Anchoring and mooring arrangement.
o) Guardrails, bulwark, gangways, lifelines, freeing ports and shutters.
p) Main and auxiliary steering arrangement, including their associated equipment and control equipment and verification that log book entries have been made in accordance with statutory requirements when applicable.
q) Machinery spaces, with particular attention being given to the propulsion system, and to the existence of any fire and explosion hazards.
Where applicable, emergency escape routes to be checked.
r) Means of communication between the bridge and the machinery control position as well as the bridge and the alternative steering position, if fitted.
s) The bilge pumping systems and bilge wells, including operations of extended spindles, self closing drain cocks and level alarms, where fitted, are to be examined so far is practicable.
Satisfactory operation of the bilge pumps including any hand pumps, is to be tested.
t) Any pressure vessels including safety devices, foundations, controls, relieving gear, associated piping systems, insulation and gauges are to be generally examined.
u) The electrical equipment and cabling forming the main and emergency installations are to be generally examined under operating conditions so far as is practicable. The satisfactory operation of the main and emergency sources of power and electrical services essential for safety in an emergency is to be verified. Where the sources of power are automatically controlled, they are to be tested in the automatic mode.
Bonding straps for the control of static electricity and earthing arrangements are to be examined where fitted.
v) Remote control on quick closing or stop of valves, pumps, fans, fire dampers.
2.3 Additional requirements for vessel with class notation HSC
2.3.1 In addition to the requirements of 2.2, following is to be complied with:
a) Following documentation is to be available on board:
• High speed craft safety certificate according to the HSC code (passenger or cargo craft as applicable) OR
- Dynamically supported craft
construction and equipment certificate according to DSC code; OR
- Passenger ship safety certificate referring to the DSC code;
• Permit to operate high speed craft; OR
- Permit to operate dynamically supported craft;
• Record of assignment of loadline (if applicable);
• Speed versus significant wave height operational restrictions;
• Operational manual.
b) An external examination of the craft’s bottom.
If permitted by Flag State, bottom survey may be carried out afloat, as per 4.2.
Section 3 Intermediate Surveys
3.1 General
3.1.1 Intermediate surveys are to be held concurrently with statutory annual on other relevant statutory surveys wherever practical, at or between the second or third annual survey.
3.1.2 The following requirements are in addition to those for annual survey and are applicable to crafts over five years of age. For crafts below 5 years of age, additional examination over and above the requirements of annual survey may be required at the discretion of the Surveyors.
3.2 Survey requirements for all vessels
3.2.1 For steel crafts, a general examination of salt water ballast tanks, integral sanitary tanks and bilges
is to be carried out as required below. If such inspections reveal no visible structural defects then the examination may be limited to a verification that the protective coating remains in good condition.
When considered necessary by the Surveyor thickness measurement of the structure is to be carried out. Where the protective coating is found to be other than in good condition and it has not been repaired, maintenance of class will be subject to the spaces in question being internally examined and gauged as necessary at annual surveys.
a) For all crafts over five years of age and upto ten years of age, representative salt water ballast tanks, integral sanitary tanks and bilges are to be generally examined. Where the protective coating is found to be other than in good condition, or other defects are found, the Indian Register of Shipping
examination is to be extended to other spaces of the same type.
b) For crafts over ten years of age all salt water ballast tanks, integral sanitary tanks and bilges are to be generally examined.
3.2.2 For crafts over ten years of age, anchors are to be partially lowered and raised using the windlass.
3.2.3 The electrical generating sets are to be examined under working condition.
3.2.4 Representative internal spaces including fore and aft peak spaces, machinery spaces, bilges, etc.
are to be generally examined, including any suspect areas.
Section 4 Docking Surveys
4.1 General
4.1.1 At docking or in-water surveys, an examination of the craft’s hull and machinery, as far as necessary and practicable is to be carried out to ascertain the general condition.
4.1.2 Attention is to also be given to any relevant statutory requirements of the Administration of the country in which the craft is registered.
Consideration may be given at the discretion of IRS, to any special circumstances justifying an extension or reduction of the docking survey interval specified in Table 1.1.1.
4.1.3 The craft is to be placed on blocks of sufficient height in a drydock or on a slipway and proper staging is to be erected as may be necessary, for the examination of the outside of the hull, rudder(s) and underwater fittings. The outside surface of the hull is to be cleaned as may be required by the Surveyor.
Particular attention is to be given to the part of the external hull structure liable to structural deterioration from causes such as high stresses, chafing, lying on the ground, areas of structural discontinuity and shell plating in way of side, bow and stern doors.
4.1.4 The following parts of the external hull structure are to be specially examined:
a) For steel hulls attention is to be given to parts of the structure particularly liable to excessive corrosion and to any undue distortion of the plating of the bottom. The coating system is to be examined and made good as necessary.
b) For aluminium alloy hulls attention is to be given to areas adjacent to any bimetallic connections at skin fittings etc.
c) For composite hulls, the gelcoat or other protective finish is to be examined for surface cracking, blistering or other damage which may impair the efficiency of the protection to the underlying laminate.
4.1.5 The clearances in the rudder bearings are to be ascertained. The rudder is to be lifted for examination of the pintles, if considered necessary by the Surveyor. The securing of the rudder couplings and/or pintle fastenings is to be confirmed.
4.1.6 When chain cables are ranged, the anchors and cables are to be examined by the Surveyor.
4.1.7 The sea connections and overboard discharge valves, their attachments to the hull and the gratings at the sea inlets are to be examined.
4.1.8 The propeller and fastenings are to be examined for erosion, fitting, cracking of blades or possible contact damage. The clearances in the stern bush is to be measured. In the case of oil glands, this requirement may be waived if an approved oil gland is fitted so that the oil gland is not disturbed, provided the sealing arrangement appears satisfactory. If poker gauges or other devices are provided for ascertaining the wear in an oil lubricated stern bush, the clearance in the bush is to be measured.
4.1.9 The inboard shaft seals or glands are to be examined. Where flexible stern glands are fitted, the satisfactory condition of the rubber hose and securing clips is to be confirmed.
4.1.10 For variable pitch propellers, tightness of hub and blade sealing is to be verified and locking arrangements for bolts to be checked. Dismantling