SAFETY EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATE SURVEY

Why?

> SOLAS 74/78, Chapter 1, Part B, Regulation 8 – Surveys of life-saving appliances and other equipment of cargo ships  – Requires , The life-saving appliances and other equipment of cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards shall be subject to the following safety equipment surveys specified below:

What surveys are required to maintain the certificate?

1. an initial survey before the ship is put in service;
2. a renewal survey at intervals specified by the Administration but not exceeding 5 years.
3. a periodical survey within three months before or after the second anniversary date or within three months before or after the third anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.
4. an annual survey within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate;

What does the Cargo Ship Safety equipment Certificate cover?

• Fire safety systems
•  Life saving appliances
• Navigational equipment
• Pilot embarkation arrangements
• Nautical publications
• Lights and shapes
• Sound signals
• Distress signals

What does  it mean to a ship having a safety equipment certificate?

• Obviously, a statutory requirement without which a ship cant sail.
• Confirms that the ship has been surveyed in accordance with the requirements of regulation I/8 of SOLAS
• Ship complied with the requirements of the Convention as regards fire safety systems and appliances and fire control plans
• The life-saving appliances and the equipment of the lifeboats, liferafts and rescue boats were provided in accordance with the requirements of the Convention
• The ship was provided with a line-throwing appliance and radio installations used in lifesaving appliances in accordance with the requirements of the Convention.
• The vessels complied with the requirements of the Convention as regards shipborne navigational equipment, means of embarkation for pilots and nautical publications.
• Ship was provided with lights, shapes and means of making sound signals and distress signals in accordance with the requirements of the Convention and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea in force
• Vessel complied in all other respects the ship complied with the relevant requirements of the Convention

What equipment are covered in a survey?

LSA

• Lifeboats, davits and winches
• Inflatable boats
• Rescue boats
• Liferafts
• Lifejackets
• Immersion suits and TPAs

Distress signals

• Rockets and signals
• Hand held VHFs
• EXPIRBs
• SARTs
• Signal lantern

Navigational equipment

• Echo sounder
• Gyro compass
• Magnetic compass
• Sound signals
• Shapes
• Navigational lights

Fire fighting

• Fire control plans
• Fire-extinguishers
• Fixed fire systems
• IG systems
• Fireman’s outfits
• Fire detection and alarm system

Power

• Emergency controls
• Emergency power supply

Miscellaneous

• Stability data
• Pilot ladder

What additional document is held with the certificate?

The Cargo Ship Safety Certificate shall be supplemented by RECORD OF EQUIPMENT FOR CARGO SHIP SAFETY (FORM E)CLICK HERE TO SEE A SAMPLE OF RECORD OF EQUIPMENT FOR CARGO SHIP SAFETY (FORM E);
>>  This lists the number of LSA items carried, and is a useful document for preparing for survey.

Additional information : Please refer A.1120(30) – IMO

UK candidates refer to MCA specific data here See : The Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015