Conventions and Codes
Conventions and Codes tests the treaties behind the certificates in the ship's file: which instrument applies, at what tonnage, for how long, and what happens when one lapses.
SOLAS
The umbrella safety convention, now fifteen chapters. Those a chief mate must place instantly: II-1 construction, subdivision and machinery; II-2 fire protection; III life-saving appliances; IV radio; V safety of navigation, including passage planning, steering gear testing and the obligation to assist persons in distress; VI carriage of cargoes and grain; VII dangerous goods; IX ISM; XI-1 special measures; XI-2 and the ISPS Code; XII bulk carrier safety; XIV the Polar Code.
MARPOL
Six annexes: I oil, II noxious liquid substances in bulk, III harmful substances in packaged form, IV sewage, V garbage, VI air pollution. Annexes I, II, IV and V contain special areas with stricter discharge conditions.
Other instruments you must be able to place
- STCW 1978 as amended, including the 2010 Manila amendments.
- Load Line Convention 1966/88 - freeboard and load line marks.
- MLC 2006 - DMLC Parts I and II and the Maritime Labour Certificate for ships of 500 GT and over.
- ISPS Code - ship security plan, SSO and ISSC, from 500 GT.
- BWM 2004, AFS 2001, Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling with the Inventory of Hazardous Materials.
- Tonnage 1969, Salvage 1989, LLMC 1976/96, CLC and Bunkers Convention, Nairobi Wreck Removal.
Validity and surveys
Most statutory certificates run five years with annual surveys, and the renewal survey may be completed within three months either side of the expiry date without changing the anniversary. The ISM Safety Management Certificate runs five years with an interim valid six months; the Document of Compliance runs five years with an interim valid twelve months.
Worked example
A 12,000 GT bulk carrier on international voyages needs, among others: SMC, DOC (company), ISSC, Safety Construction, Safety Equipment, Safety Radio, IOPP, Load Line, BWM, AFS, MLC and a Minimum Safe Manning Document. The five-year certificates share an anniversary, so the renewal survey must be planned inside the three-month window - dockings are scheduled around the certificate anniversary, not around convenience.
Traps
Mis-stating tonnage thresholds; confusing the six-month interim SMC with the twelve-month interim DOC; assuming a certificate stays valid while a renewal survey is overdue; and treating the ISM DOC (company) as a ship's certificate.