MC 022025 – Instructions for Cargo Ship Bottom Surveys
Notice to: Shipowners, Operators, Officers, and Recognised Organisations.
1. Purpose
1.1 The Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR) issued this marine circular to provide instructions for bottom surveys of cargo vessels registered with the BMSR and the interval between bottom surveys.
2. Application
2.1 These instructions apply to all cargo vessels registered with the BMSR.
3. Technical Requirements
3.1 For cargo ships, as per SOLAS I/10(a)(iv) and Survey guidelines under the harmonised system of survey and certification (HSSC), 2023 (resolution A.A.1186(33)) Sec. 4.6, a minimum of two inspections of the outside of the ship’s bottom during the five-year period of validity of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate are required.
3.2 Inspections of the outside of the vessel’s bottom should normally be carried out with the vessel in dry dock. However, consideration may be given to alternate inspections being carried out with the vessel afloat (In water Survey IWS).
3.3 Conditions for In Water Survey (IWS):
i) For vessels of less than 15 years of age, one bottom survey can be carried out afloat (IWS).
ii) For vessels of 15 years of age and above, one bottom survey can be carried out afloat (IWS), upon concurrence from the classification society that there are no structural concerns.
3.4 Both bottom surveys shall be carried out with the ship in dry dock:
i) For bulk carriers and oil tankers of less than 15 years of age but in an enhanced survey Program (ESP);
ii) For bulk carriers and oil tankers of 15 years of age or above;
iii) For any type of vessel of 20 years of age.
3.5 In all cases, the interval between any two such inspections shall not exceed 36 months.
3.6 In ‘Exceptional circumstances’ such as: unavailability of dry-docking facilities; unavailability of repair facilities; unavailability of essential materials, equipment, or spare parts; or delays incurred by action taken to avoid severe weather conditions, the BMSR may allow extension for the bottom survey to be carried out later than 36 months from the previous one.
3.7 The request for any extension of the bottom survey due to the ‘Exceptional circumstances’ mentioned above shall come through the Recognised Organisation (RO), which is responsible for issuing the relevant certificates for the vessel. The RO shall assess the case and provide the BMSR with their concurrence, reasons and justification, and any supporting documentation. The BMSR will evaluate the request on a case-by-case basis and may issue a temporary permission with a validity of a maximum of 3 months.
3.8 All requests for temporary permissions for extensions of bottom surveys shall be sent to ops@barbadosmaritime.com
4. Recommendations
4.1 The justification for the extension of bottom surveys must be on a non-commercial basis. Similarly, the extension is not to be tied to a matter of convenience, except where an extension is proposed to further a harmonisation of surveys. There must be exceptional circumstances for not arranging the docking before the due date, and the extension is only to be granted in cases where it is proper and reasonable to do so. The principal consideration for granting an extension to a docking is the unavailability of suitable docking facilities, as per IACS PR1C and MSC-MEPC.5/Circ.1
4.2 For extensions to the dry docking due to unavailability of docks for up to three months, the following conditions are appropriate:
i) Evidence that managers have attempted to fix drydocking (3 locations).
ii) Evidence that a firm drydocking date and location have been made.
iii) Statement from the Master that no damage to underwater parts has occurred since the last bottom survey.
iv) Any Class requirements are met in full, and any conditions of class are reviewed.
4.3 In addition, where the extension brings the period since the previous bottom survey (either in drydock or in water survey) to over 36 months, an underwater examination is required. A one-month grace period may be given where the in-water survey cannot be undertaken due to, e.g. poor visibility.
5. Validity
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The validity of this circular is until withdrawn or superseded.
For any inquiries or clarifications for this marine circular, please contact: