FAQ

How to prepare my commercial vessel for a renewal/periodic survey?

Below are recommendations provided by one of our Senior Marine Surveyors, Peter Keyes, to prepare your Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV) for a renewal/ periodic survey:

Access:

Ensure correct permissions are in place when the Marine Surveyor arrives at the location, such as inductions, entry cards etc.

There should be good access to the vessel, gangway, ladders and decks. Ensure that all access is clear of oils, wet paint, and other debris where possible. If there is a space for the Marine Surveyor to work, say a table or other clear area, the Surveyor will be in a good mood.

Safety Equipment:

Verify that all safety equipment, such as lifejackets, fire extinguishers, distress signals, and navigation lights, is in good working condition and meets AMSA requirements. If all safety equipment is laid out for inspection, the survey will proceed more quickly and efficiently.

Hull & Machinery:

Inspect the vessel’s hull, machinery, and systems for signs of damage, corrosion, or wear. Ensure that structural components are sound. Test and calibrate all operational systems, including propulsion, steering, electrical, and communication systems, to ensure they are functioning correctly.

The vessel owner/operator should be aware of the surveys required and have all relevant parts opened for inspection when the Marine Surveyor arrives. This will allow the Marine Surveyor to get straight to work, saving time and money. Try to have the machinery space as clean and tidy as possible bearing in mind that work will likely be underway.

Renewal Surveys:

For renewal surveys, the owner should have completed the AMSA 521 application, or, if required, arranged for the ADEC Kedge operations team to complete the application on the owner’s behalf – written permission is required for this to be valid.

For the second renewal survey, inspection is required internally to fuel tanks, propeller shafts fully drawn, and rudder stocks fully drawn. Metal vessels need to have hull thickness confirmed, timber vessels need fastening condition confirmed.

All other renewal surveys need the anchor cables removed from the vessel for inspection and anchor/cable lockers cleaned for inspection. Additionally, any voids not normally opened need to be available for inspection and gas freed. Where floatation foam is installed, it has to be accessible to be checked for condition.

We hope these tips are helpful. If you have any further questions, we’re here to help.

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