The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous or Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) Regulations 1996

Survey requirements

9.—(1) The structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials (other than items in respect of which a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate or a Cargo Ship Safety Radiotelephony Certificate is issued) of a ship to which these Regulations apply shall be subjected to the following surveys—

(a) an initial survey before the appropriate Certificate is issued for the first time, which shall include a complete examination of its structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials in so far as the ship is covered by the appropriate Regulation; an initial survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials comply with the applicable provisions of the appropriate Regulation;

(b) a periodical survey at intervals not exceeding five years which shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials comply with the applicable provisions of the appropriate Regulation;

(c) a minimum of one intermediate survey during the period of validity of the appropriate Certificate; in cases where only one such intermediate survey is carried out in any one certificate validity period, it shall be held not before six months prior to, nor later than six months after, the half-way date of the certificate’s period of validity; intermediate surveys shall be such as to ensure that the equipment and associated pumps and piping systems comply with the applicable provisions of the appropriate Regulation and are in good working order; and shall be so endorsed by the surveyor on the appropriate Certificate;

(d) an annual survey within three months before or after the anniversary date of the appropriate Certificate which shall include a general examination to ensure that the structure equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials remain in all respects satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended, and shall be so endorsed by the surveyor on the appropriate Certificate;

(e) an additional survey, either general or partial according to the circumstances, shall be made when it has been determined under regulation 11(1)(c) to be necessary, or whenever any important repairs or renewals are made; such a survey shall ensure that the necessary repairs or renewals have been effectively made, that the materials and workmanship of such repairs or renewals are satisfactory, and that the ship is fit to proceed to sea without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment; a record of such survey shall be endorsed by the surveyor on the appropriate Certificate, stating that on completion of the survey the ship complied with the relevant provisions of appropriate Regulation.

(2) Every such survey in the case of a United Kingdom ship shall be carried out by a surveyor appointed by the Secretary of State.