Maritime Law, Regulations and Survey Requirements
Core concepts
Understand the regulatory framework: SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, Load Line, COLREG, and the role of flag state, port state control, and classification societies. Know the meaning of statutory certificates, survey types (annual, intermediate, special, renewal), and the ISM Code with its safety management system. Understand the engineer's obligations and the importance of records.
Traps in questions
- Confusing flag state responsibility with port state control inspection.
- Assuming a class certificate is a statutory certificate; they are different.
- Forgetting that the ISM Code applies to the company and the ship.
- Mixing up a special survey with an annual survey interval.
Rule of thumb and worked example
Certificate validity: a cargo ship safety construction certificate is typically valid for five years subject to annual and intermediate surveys. If issued on 1 January, the first annual survey is due within a window around the anniversary, commonly three months before to three months after. Rule of thumb: always check the certificate expiry and the survey window, not just the end date. A certificate can become invalid if a required survey is missed.
Study focus
Revise the master's authority and the obligation to render assistance. Know the purpose of the continuous synopsis record and the declaration of maritime labour compliance. Understand the surveyor's role and how to prepare machinery for survey, including opening up, testing and recording. Learn the meaning of detention and the possible causes.