The Merchant Shipping (Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) Regulations 1987

Survey requirements

23.—(1) The structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials of a ship shall be subjected to the following surveys:

(a) an initial survey before the INLS 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 these Regulations; an initial survey shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials comply with the applicable provisions of these Regulations;

(b) a periodical survey at intervals not exceeding 5 years which shall be such as to ensure that the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials comply with the applicable provisions of these Regulations;

(c) a minimum of one intermediate survey during the period of validity of the INLS Certificate; in cases where only one such intermediate survey is carried out in any one certificate validity period, it shall be held not before 6 months prior to, nor later than 6 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 these Regulations and are in good working order; a record of such surveys in the form appropriate to an intermediate survey included in the form entitled “Endorsement for Annual and Intermediate Surveys” set out in Appendix V of Annex II to MARPOL 1973/78 shall be endorsed by the surveyor on the INLS Certificate;

(d) an annual survey within 3 months before or after the anniversary date of the INLS 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; a record of such survey in the form appropriate to an annual survey included in the form entitled “Endorsement for Annual and Intermediate Surveys” set out in Appendix V of Annex II to MARPOL 1973/78 shall be endorsed by the surveyor on the INLS Certificate;

(e) an additional survey, either general or partial according to the circumstances, shall be made when it has been determined under regulation 25(3) 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 INLS Certificate, stating that on completion of the survey the ship complied with the relevant provisions of Annex II to MARPOL 1973/78.

(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; and application for such a survey shall be made by or on behalf of the owner to the Secretary of State.

(3) In the case of a chemical tanker in respect of which a BCH Code Certificate or an IBC Code Certificate has been or is to be issued any initial, periodical, intermediate, annual or additional survey required by this regulation may be combined respectively with an initial, periodical, intermediate, annual or additional survey required by regulation 4 of the BCH Code Regulations or regulation 4 of the IBC Code Regulations as the case may be; and in such case references in paragraphs (1)(a) to (e) to the INLS Certificate shall be construed as references to the BCH Code Certificate or IBC Code Certificate as the case may be.