Guidance

ANNEX 10 - Scope of inspection

Updated 31 January 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-code-of-practice-for-the-safety-of-small-fishing-vessels-of-less-than-15m-length-overall/annex-10-scope-of-inspection

0.1 Survey & Inspection requirements

The following is a generalised list for guidance of the areas that a surveyor will request to be shown at an inspection of a Fishing Vessel of less than 15m (LOA).

The inspection is a general survey of the hull and equipment, machinery and systems to confirm that the ship complies with the relevant rule requirements and is maintained in a satisfactory condition. The list is not exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with Fishing Vessel Surveys and Inspections – Planning for your next MCA visit.

0.2 Documentation:

  • Review of documentation, alarms, signs and markings
  • Certificates (Small Fishing Vessel Certificate (declaration signed); Certificate of Registry)
  • Crew Certificates, Fisherman’s Working Agreement, Medical Certificates
  • Review of maintenance

0.3 Hull:

  • Decks & plating above the WL
  • Mooring equipment
  • Hatches
  • Ventilators and air pipes
  • Watertight and weather tight doors
  • Machinery casing and ventilation trunking
  • Windows, deadlights and side scuttles
  • Scuppers, discharges and valves
  • Freeing ports and shutters
  • Bulwarks
  • Fire dampers
  • Means of escape
  • Inspection of tanks and system

0.4 Machinery:

  • High pressure fuel system
  • Shielding of fuel piping system
  • Insulation of hot surfaces exceeding 220° C
  • Steering gear – examination and test
  • FO systems
  • HO Systems
  • Propulsion System
  • Steering System
  • Electrical equipment and installation
  • Auxiliary equipment
  • Control & monitoring system

The following systems shall be tested for proper functioning:

  • machinery alarm and safety system
  • manual control of machinery
  • remote control of propulsion machinery
  • Fire detection alarm system
  • Water ingress alarm system
  • remote stops, sensors, trips.
  • Publications
  • Charts
  • Lights and shapes
  • Operation of navigational equipment
  • Position keeping
  • Radios

0.6 Safety:

  • Fire protection systems – pumps, hoses, hydrants, fixed & portable equipment, detection
  • Test of fire & general alarm
  • Electrical systems – insulation, cables, emergency source of power, batteries
  • QCV’s; fuel transfer pumps; fans
  • Bilge systems, bilge alarms; self-draining compartments
  • Emergency communications
  • Cleanliness – bilges free of oil and dropped objects
  • All Life-Saving Apparatus
  • Drills
  • Draught marks shall be verified in order – where required
  • Stability check in accordance with Vessel age and size

0.7 Refrigeration:

  • Check system for integrity, gas tight boundaries, ventilation
  • Check escape arrangements

0.8 Out of water:

  • Inspection of hull outside
  • Rudder, shaft, bearing, propeller
  • Ship side valves
  • Shaft and bearings including shaft seals
  • Ship side valves & overboard discharges
  • Steel thickness measurements in accordance with Vessel age and size – to include air pipes, ventilators, coamings and hatch covers, bulkheads,
  • Anchoring equipment including calibration
  • Examination of masts, standing rigging
  • Examination of automatic vent head closures
  • Examination of settling/day tanks overflow and alarm arrangements
  • Pressure testing of tanks as deemed necessary
  • All piping
  • Towing points and towing equipment.
  • Foundations, bearing and hinge points[footnote 1]
  • Blocks

  1. Where wastage is suspected thickness measurements shall be carried out ↩

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